At the invitation of the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement moved to Holy Rosary Convent in Port Chester, New York. In August 2017, a formal consolidation of four parish churches was confirmed, resulting in the formation of a single, vibrant parish: the Parish of St. John Bosco. This reorganization brought together Corpus Christi, Our Lady of Mercy, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, and Sacred Heart of Jesus churches under one united parish community.
Sr. Nancy Conboy, SA, who previously served as Minister General of the congregation from August 2006 to July 2016, was appointed as the Local House Coordinator. The Sisters officially began their new mission in October 2017, joyfully stepping into life within an active and spiritually rich parish.
One of the Sisters' primary responsibilities is maintaining the Adoration Chapel, which is open to the public daily. This sacred space offers parishioners and visitors the opportunity to spend quiet, prayerful time in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Through their ministry of prayer and presence, the Sisters provide a peaceful haven where all are welcome to encounter the stillness and serenity only God can offer.
In addition to this central ministry, the Sisters are actively engaged in various other parish services, including:
- Religious education
- Soup kitchen and food pantry outreach
- Teaching English as a Second Language
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Home visitation ministry
Parish life at St. John Bosco is vibrant and diverse, with Masses offered in English, Spanish, Polish, and Portuguese. For more information about the parish and its offerings, please visit the Port Chester Catholic Church website.
Though the community of Sisters moved into the convent in Port Chester in October 2017, Sr. Ana Maria (Maruja) Causa, also a Franciscan Sister of the Atonement, had already been ministering there for a number of years. Sister was the Pastoral Associate in the parish, but in December 2020, while still ministering in Port Chester, Sr. Maruja died unexpectedly at the age of 68. The current Pastor (2025) of this multi-cultural parish is Fr. Franco Pinto, SDB, a Salesian Fathers.
When the Sisters arrived in Port Chester, Fr. Pat welcomed us with a heartfelt announcement in the parish bulletin, marking the beginning of our new mission with the community.
Welcome to the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement!
This morning, I have very good and exciting news to share with all of you! As the merger finalizes, one of the constant concerns and questions of so many, even many from outside the parish is: What is going to happen to our Adoration Chapel on Nicola Place? This morning, I am very happy to share with you that not only will the chapel remain open but that a community of Sisters will be joining our parish! We welcome the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement!!! We already know Sister Maruja, who is a Sister of the Atonement; she will be joined by four other Sisters who will live in the Residence at Nicola Place.
The Sisters will serve the parish first by caring for the Adoration Chapel and bringing a daily religious presence to that end of the village, as we Salesians move to our new residence on Westchester Avenue. Then, the Sisters have offered themselves to serve in various ministries of the parish: food pantry, soup kitchen, clothing distribution, ESL, RCIA, etc. Their request is simple: that they be able to serve whenever and however they can!! These wonderful Sisters are truly guided by the Spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and are enthused and excited to be involved in our parish and are ready to serve the poor and marginalized while fulfilling their main role of “presence” - “prayer” and “adoration”. I am very grateful to the Sisters, as I am sure you are, for their generous “YES” to be a part of our new parish family. Thank you, Sisters!! Welcome!!
Visit the "Blessed Sacrament Chapel" located in our convent premises for adoration. Please see details below.
