NOT FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT:
Marcia Wallander
Chief Mission Advancement Officer
Felician Sisters of North America
724-944-9814 (cell)
mwallander@feliciansisters.org
feliciansistersna.org
Beaver Falls, PA (November 28, 2022) – As part of their ongoing commitment to good stewardship of the lands and buildings in their care, the Felician Sisters of North America are beginning a multi-stage project that will create more green space on their Lodi, New Jersey campus and better serve the present and future needs of the sisters, as well as the campus communities who share the property.
The original motherhouse of the Felician Sisters in Lodi had been the headquarters of the Lodi Province for many years, but as needs for space have shifted, the sisters have realized the need to create a more efficient footprint.
While the old convent building holds many treasured memories for the sisters, the southwest portion of the original convent that is no longer in use, as well as the main chapel, have been designated for demolition; both of these spaces are considered generally unfit for any alternative use.
No sisters have lived full time in the old motherhouse for at least 15 years. All of the sisters currently living in Lodi live in the renovated Immaculate Conception Convent, which has its own chapel.
Before arriving at the difficult decision to proceed with demolition, provincial administration consulted with various experts, including structural engineers and properties experts, to gather concrete data that supports informed and wise decision-making. Provincial Minister Sr. Judith Marie Kubicki participated in conversations with the Lodi sisters, guided the discernment process, and provided assurance of careful observation of the special protocols for closing the chapel and either relocating or removing sacred items.
Always clear-eyed in the face of change, the thriving Felician community recognizes that resources are more meaningfully allocated elsewhere than the maintenance of aging structures and look forward to the green space that will de-densify the campus that they share with Felician University, Immaculate Conception High School, and the School for Exceptional Children.
Demolition activity will begin in early 2023, though some preliminary preparatory activity will begin at the end of 2022. Sr. Judith Kubicki says, “We ask for your support so that this project may move forward smoothly, without unnecessary complications. We pray for blessings for all involved.”
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About Felician Sisters of North America
The Felician Sisters of North America are a contemplative-active order of Franciscan Catholic sisters, inspired by the spiritual ideals of their Foundress Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska and Saint Francis of Assisi. They were founded in Poland in 1855 and were called to America in 1874 to minister to the immigrant and indigenous families of Polonia, WI.
The sisters continue to follow their foundress Blessed Mary Angela’s directive to “serve where needed” constantly evolving to meet the needs of the time. They continue to shape the social service landscape through their work and support of more than 40 ministries and in their ministry of presence throughout Canada, America and Haiti in schools, parishes, prisons, hospitals, dioceses and social service ministries. Learn more at www.feliciansistersna.org.
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