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The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate minister in 14 states spanning 27 archdioceses and dioceses. In Brazil, our Sisters have established six missions, a pre-novitiate and a novitiate. There we serve the poor, sick and elderly. We teach and are involved in pastoral ministry, sacramental preparation and counseling.
Click here to view where our sisters minister.Meet Sister Marian Voelker, OSF ![]() Sister Marian Voelker, the congregations’ capable archivist since 1975, can be found most weekdays and many weekends at work in her office at the Joliet Franciscan Center. Ask her about one of the 903 Sisters who have died since the Congregation’s beginning and she will provide you with background information that gives you a glimpse into a life.
When Sister Marian became the archivist, she made it a point to acquaint herself with each and every Sister. It’s as though she has known all of the Sisters, regardless of when they served. Ask Sister Marian what she likes best about being an archivist and she says, “I like the teaching part, the genealogy and the uniting of families.” Talk to her about anything dealing with the congregation’s rich history and you quickly learn that she is truly a guardian of history. Sister Marian is pictured above with a replica of the first house rented by Mother Alfred and Sister Bernarda upon their arrival in Joliet, IL in 1863. Mother Alfred will purchase their first property on the Southeast corner of Broadway and Division Streets in Joliet on March 23, 1864. |

