The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities in Williamsville have now entered Phase II of their property study and are pursuing a senior care provider owner/operator for the community living center and region house at 201 Reist St. for the 62 sisters currently in residence as well as for any additional future sisters currently residing in local mission houses in Western New York. (Dan Cappellazzo/Staff Photographer)

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities in Williamsville began a comprehensive study in 2015 to determine the best long-term housing plan for the sisters living in the Western New York region. The Sisters have now entered Phase II of their property study and are pursuing a senior care provider owner/operator for the community living center and region house at 201 Reist St. for the 62 sisters currently in residence as well as for any additional future sisters currently residing in local mission houses in Western New York.

"The Sisters here in Williamsville are part of a congregation of 385 sisters. We have three congregational priorities:

1) the care of our sisters; 2) the continuation of our mission and ministries; and 3) financial sustainability," said Rochelle Cassella, congregational director of communications for the Sisters. "Selling property will make it possible for us to provide care for all the sisters of the congregation, while partnering with professionals whose expertise is in the field of elder care will ensure quality of life for the sisters and make it possible for those in Williamsville to continue to live in the current building." 

Similar studies and sales have taken place in other regions where the congregation has region houses, including the East Coast facility in Hastings-on-Hudson, as well as the residences in Central New York. The region house in Pittsburgh is also up for sale.   

"Our 'Philosophy of Life' commits us to live as independently as possible for as long as possible, and to be good stewards of our properties, as we continue with our mission and ministries, while at the same time seeking to achieve financial sustainability," said Sister Marian Rose Mansius, OSF, coordinator of Life Services at St. Mary of the Angels.  "Finding the right owner and operator for St. Mary of the Angels is an important part of that plan and philosophy.

 "To this end, the Sisters have engaged the international consulting firm Plante Moran to help identify potential buyers and transition operations once a purchase offer has been accepted. Most importantly, finding the right partner must ensure that the sisters will remain in residence following the completion of the sale."

 "There is no estimate of how long it may take to find an owner/operator," Casella said, adding, "the sisters, as well as our many friends and supporters, will be updated regularly on the progress. "

 The sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities is a congregation of 385 vowed women religious whose origin dates back to its original foundation in Philadelphia in 1855. The sisters follow the rule of life of St. Francis of Assisi. Today the sisters serve in 12 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as in Kenya and Peru.