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. It was here, officially in August 2017, that a series of church consolidations was confirmed and four parish churches reorganized into one parish: the new Parish of St. John Bosco. The merge included these churches: Corpus Christi, Our Lady of Mercy, Our Lady of Holy Rosary and Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Sr. Nancy Conboy, SA, former Minister General of the congregation from August 2006 to July 2016, was assigned as the Local House Coordinator. The Sisters arrived at our new mission in October 2017. We were happy to begin afresh in an active and vibrant new parish. A primary responsibility of the Sisters is to maintain the operation of the Adoration Chapel that is open to the public on a daily basis. This chapel offers the opportunity for parishioners and others to come and spend quiet time with the Lord in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Through the mission of prayer and presence, the Sisters offer the opportunity for anyone to come to the chapel for the peace and serenity that only God can offer in the stillness of prayer. The Sisters are also involved in various other ministries within the parish including: religious education, soup kitchen and food pantry ministries, teaching English as a second-language, RCIA, home visiting, etc….
Parish ministry is alive and well in this vibrant Parish of St. John Bosco. Masses in the parish are offered in several languages: English, Spanish, Polish, and Portuguese. Please see the Port Chester Catholic Church website for more information.
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 since September 2010. Sister is the Pastoral Associate in the Parish and is involved in every aspect of parish life. The Pastor of this multi-cultural parish is Fr. Patrick (Pat) Angelucci, a member of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
When the Sisters arrived in Port Chester, Fr. Pat greeted us with an announcement in the Parish bulletin:
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.
