Good Bye St Mary's School building

The red brick school building of St Mary’s Assumption is the signature landmark for years in the heart of old town Phoenixville. The building served as an institution of learning for young Phoenixville residents for years. We also have fond memories of community gatherings that took place at the premise for various purposes. It gave us opportunities to connect with our neighbors, help each other in need and a place for young generation to attain their education. The building worked wonders to serve the vision of Franciscan Sisters who envisioned a fair and just community for families in need in 1980’s.

It is never easy to say good bye to anyone or anything that served us and helped us to stand for each other in trying times for significant number of years. However, the nature takes it course and complete the full cycle each year; Time changes and so the need. St Mary’s Franciscan Shelter for Homeless families is ready to embrace the change that will further help us to serve our mission in the years to come as envisioned by our Founders, Franciscan Sisters. We are looking forward to nurture a nature’s place in the backyard to serve our families and neighbors. We are delighted to begin the process of developing a garden to replace the school building which cannot be used for structural and security reasons.

Guided by the Gospel and the spirits of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, we provide temporary shelter for homeless families. We create a community environment which fosters the dignity of each person, and we perpetually seek innovative ways to help families move toward independence. We believe our new initiative will help us further to provide a positive environment to families living in the shelter. The garden will provide them an access to comforting environment after they return home from a stressful day and give their children a natural habitat to enjoy their childhood. St Mary’s Franciscan Shelter’s Garden will be a beautiful addition to the !neighbors and friends in the community.

We look forward to our garden in a year’s time while we say ‘good bye’ to our much-served school building.