By Taylor J. Hale
Reporter

STEVENS POINT — The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis (SSJ-TOSF) is relocating to Garfield Heights, Ohio after serving the Portage County area for well over a century.

Group leaders made the decision after recognizing a change in the congregation’s infrastructure.

“At present, we have 196 sisters, with 55 percent who are over the age of 80,” read a letter to media outlets from the group. “In addition, we have a decrease in wage-earning incomes. Last year, for the first time in our history, our compensation was not adequate to meet our sisters
living expenses.”

With the median age growing and a lack of revenue sources, the religious organization is moving to Marymount Place and Villa St. Joseph, managed by the Marymount Health Care
Systems group, initially started by SSJ-TOSF in 1949.

“We have worked diligently for seven years pursuing all avenues in search of a viable plan that would address both the physical and spiritual needs of our sisters,” the document read. “When the offer came to us from Marymount [in February of 2018] we knew that accepting it would allow us the means to accomplish our goal and an opportunity to support our sisters into the future.”

The move will take place over an unknown duration, with many sisters already living in their new facility. Group members know the community will miss them.

“We are aware and sad to leave the people and places where we have served,” the letter read. “We ask our sisters and their families and all those who are affected by this move for their understanding. We will continue to pray for the people who have touched our lives, and we ask for your prayers as sisters begin their move.”

The relocation will allow the aging sisters to spend their time in comfort with qualified nurses to aid them while staying together. A truly deserved rest from an arduous path of assisting others. Sister Constance with the SSJ-TOSF, who is already living in the Ohio villa, said, “It’s as if I’ve been here my whole life. I had a good flight, I came here, welcomed by a lot of people. This is the place to be, and with my sisters being here, too, I feel like I just touched heaven.”

At this period there are no plans to sell the convent in Stevens Point. The group is developing a plan to repurpose the 40 acres of property in a way that will benefit the city. Final details on the project are unclear.

“We will continue to work in collaboration with the city and the congregation regarding the future of St. Joseph Motherhouse,” the group’s letter read.

As the sisters depart on their ensuing journey, the city thanks them for their services. Since 1902, they have provided a foundational groundwork for the Stevens Point area through
education and devotion. The Catholic organization has established their roots, and are continuing to expand.