By CatholicPhilly Staff • Posted July 2, 2025

On Sunday, June 8, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia celebrated 11 sisters marking significant milestones as consecrated religious.

The congregation gathered at Our Lady of Angels Chapel in Aston to honor the sisters, who represent a combined 750 years of dedicated ministry.

Nine of the diamond jubilarians who are celebrating 70 years of religious profession and one golden jubilarian who is celebrating 50 years of religious profession have previously or are currently ministering in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Their ministries have touched lives in 14 states and 24 dioceses, as well as in Africa, Puerto Rico, and Ireland.

Below is a list of the sisters who have previously or are currently ministering in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:

Diamond Jubilarians – 70 Years 

  • Sister Frances Acton, OSF (formerly Sister St. William), a native of Wilmington, Delaware, currently resides at Assisi House in Aston, where she serves in prayer and hospitality ministry. In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, she taught at St. Elizabeth School and St. Benedict School in Philadelphia; St. Mary of the Assumption School in Manayunk; St. Aloysius School in Pottstown; and Little Flower High School in Philadelphia. She also served in the congregation’s finance and charism offices for 12 years.

  • Sister Sheila Byrne, OSF (formerly Sister Gratiana) was born in Mallow, County Cork, Ireland. She currently lives at Assisi House, Aston, serving in prayer and hospitality ministry.

  • Sister Marie Francine Campbell, OSF, born in Media, Pennsylvania, is a volunteer and pastoral associate at Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Philadelphia. Her previous ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia included teaching at St. Aloysius School in Pottstown and St. Elizabeth School in Philadelphia. She also served as a guidance counselor at St. Maria Goretti High School.

  • Sister Maria de Guadalupe Diaz, OSF, born in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, resides at Assisi House in Aston and serves in prayer and hospitality ministry. Her past ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia included parish and local house ministry at St. Boniface Parish and Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston.

  • Sister Magdalen Mary Dunne, OSF, a native of Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland, also lives at Assisi House, serving in prayer and hospitality. She ministered in the archdiocese as a cook at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston, St. Mary of the Assumption Convent in Bryn Mawr, and at Assisi House.

  • Sister Mary Carmel Earls, OSF, from County Wicklow, Ireland, currently serves in parish ministry at the Carline Project at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Dublin. She previously taught at St. Benedict School in Philadelphia.

  • Sister Angela O’Connell, OSF, a native of County Cork, Ireland, serves as a volunteer for the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation in Aston. In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, she taught at St. Elizabeth School, St. Ludwig School, and All Saints School in Philadelphia; Nativity B.V.M. School in Media; and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Doylestown. She was principal at St. Francis de Sales School in Lenni and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Morton. She also served the congregation as general service administrator.

  • Sister Mary Rita Paratore, OSF (formerly Sister M. Rita of Crucifix), was born in Frankfort, New York. She currently serves in local house ministry at Canticle Hall in Aston.

  • Sister Thomasann Quinn, OSF, born in Chester, Pennsylvania, resides at Assisi House, where she serves in prayer and hospitality ministry. Her ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia included teaching and administration at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Morton (where she was also principal), St. Aloysius School in Pottstown, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Doylestown.

Golden Jubilarian – 50 Years

  • Sister Maria Orlandini, OSF, born in Bedizzole, Italy, currently serves as director of advocacy for the Franciscan Action Network in Washington, D.C. In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, she ministered in social services at Anna’s Place in Chester.