St. Francis Guild

The St. Francis Guild was started in 1939 by 17 women from four parishes in the Toledo area to raise money to support the ministries of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania.

In the beginning the Guild collected newspapers and held card parties to raise money to buy things like ironing boards and new chairs for the dining room. As time went on, The Guild expanded its activities to include bingo parties, summer carnivals and raffles to buy things like an organ for Queen of Peace Chapel and a handicapped equipped bus for Sisters to use for various outings. One creative group of Guild members even secured a car for the Sisters by collecting books of S&H Green Stamps.

The Guild currently has 700 members in three states—Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota. Many of the members today are second and third generation of original members, but their work is still the same—to raise money to support the ministries of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio. Gatherings are conducted periodically throughout the year where members come together to socialize and conduct activities, like making blankets for our Haiti ministry.

If you would like to learn more about the St. Francis Guild, contact Sister Helen Frances Spears, Director of the Guild, phone: 419-824-3629, E-mail: hspears@sistersosf.org.