God gives each person a unique mission. Some are called to very public lives; others are called to quiet and simple lives. Some are called to use their minds in influential ways; others are called to use their hearts in special ways; however, each person has a unique mission from God.

St. Francis believed his mission was to live the Gospel, and in doing that, he reached out to and inspired people of all faiths in all parts of the world. At the end of his life St. Francis said, “I have done what is mine to do. May Christ show you what is yours.” And that is exactly what Father Joseph Bihn and Elizabeth Schaefer did. They cared for orphan children and the elderly and then became the founders of our Tiffin Franciscan Community. In part, Our Mission Statement reads, “Transformed by God’s love and guided by the Spirit, we continue the mission of Jesus wherever we serve, adhering to the words which inspired Mother Francis and Father Bihn: . . . whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did to me. (Mt. 25:40)”.

This year each entity on campus has identified a person or business that has significantly partnered with them over the years. On behalf of The Sisters of St. Francis Sister Joanne Lammers presented the Franciscan Partnership Award to FISH of Tiffin Food Pantry. The Sisters have been working in collaboration with FISH since its founding in 1972 to provide assistance to citizens in Seneca County in a variety of ways. Rich Kinstler, President of FISH, accepted this award.

On behalf of The Franciscan Earth Literacy Center Hannah Bumb and Hannah Watson awarded the Franciscan Partnership Award to Rob Malone, owner and chef of the Turntable Restaurant in Tiffin. Rob is committed to providing high quality Farm-to-Table dining experiences for people throughout Northwest Ohio while using produce from the Seeds of Hope Farm and other local farmers. Partnering with Rob, the Seeds of Hope’s dream of growing mushrooms have come true.

On behalf of St. Francis Senior Ministries Gabe Stoll presented the Franciscan Partnership Award to Marilyn Rohrbach, a faithful volunteer and a vibrant presence at St. Francis Home. The feeling of family, love and compassion that resonates at St. Francis Home comes from people like Marilyn, who give their ALL wherever they are. To know someone like Marilyn who cares about people has a lasting impact that only her presence can bring.

On behalf of St. Francis Spirituality Center Gene Chintala presented the Franciscan Partnership Award to the Reineke Family Dealership who was the main sponsor of the Center’s Christmas 365 fundraiser. Their partnership has enabled the Center to provide guests with an atmosphere and programs that are conducive to healing, reconciliation and renewal. The Reineke Family Dealership has generously supported all of the entities on our campus by serving on committees, donating time, talent and treasure. They reach out to others by caring for God’s people who are searching for comfort and inner peace.

Pictured: Rick Kinstler, President of FISH of Tiffin Food Pantry, Marilyn Rohrbach, Volunteer at St. Francis Home, and Nikki and Dan Reineke.

Note: Hannah Watson, Farm Manager at Seeds of Hope Farm/FELC, presented Rob Malone his award at the Turntable on Tuesday since he was not able to accept his plaque at the event.

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Sutton Bank gives $10,000 to FELC for program scholarships

TIFFIN, Ohio — Sutton Bank has provided a $10,000 grant to the Franciscan Earth Literacy Center to help low-income youth in Seneca County to experience FELC’s science workshops and summer camps.

Funds are used to fully or partially pay fees for eligible low-income participants who apply, ranging from $15 for science programs to $200 for week-long camps.

This year, FELC reopened its full schedule of summer camps after the COVID-era shutdown and plans to continue them into 2025. This year, 40% of participants requested scholarship assistance.

“We are dependent on the generosity of local funders and private donations to continue to offer scholarships to low-income youth,” said FELC Board Vice-President Char Pope.

She expressed gratitude for the donation by Sutton Bank.

“If we can all work together, we can continue to provide summer and holiday educational support to our local students in STEM science disciplines and continue to improve their success in their classrooms,” she said.

Photo Credit: Vicki Johnson

Pictured: Brody Fultz (center), market manager vice president at Sutton Bank, recently presented a $10,000 check to the Franciscan Earth Literacy Center to help low-income youth in Seneca County attend FELC’s science programs and summer camps. Accepting the check are FELC board members (from left) Ken Baker, Vice President Char Pope, Treasurer Nancy Hurley and Grant Consultant Ann Keefe.

Dr. Miller’s presentation created a Laudato Si’ tapestry of many threads. In attempting to guide his audience through the implications of Pope Francis’ 2001 encyclical call for ecological conversion, Miller used Medieval art and his personal experience in a primal forest to highlight the importance that Laudato Si’ places on “serene attentiveness” to the interdependence of all living creatures on each other. And where His Holiness asks us to use our “painful awareness” of what is happening to the world to turn its many sorrows into our own personal suffering, Dr. Miller suggests that we adopt “Hope” in the manner of St. Thomas Aquinas, who viewed it as a form of Passion, as a call to action rather than despair.  

Click HERE to read the full overview on his presentation written by Dr. Ken Baker, FELC Board Member and retired Ecologist.  

You could say that Sister Shirley Shafranek, OFS/T, was born a Franciscan and that, as her life unfolded, so did her realization that God was calling her to religious life. Now a vowed Franciscan sister with the Sisters of St. Francis in Tiffin, Ohio, Sister Shirley’s early life subtly hinted at her future with the Franciscans. She was raised in rural Chelsea, Iowa, along with four brothers, in a devout Catholic family. Despite their religious conviction, Sister Shirley and her brothers attended public school because money was tight. However, faith was a huge part of their home lives. “I remember kneeling down by [my mother’s] chair each night and saying my prayers,” Sister Shirley says. “I could even tell you the order we all learned them in.” 

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Sutton Bank CEO Tony Gorrell and John Schuld, V.P., Market Manager at Sutton Bank,  presented a check for $10,000 to the Franciscan Earth Literacy Center (FELC).  The funds will be used for need-based financial aid scholarships for FELC’s Summer Learning Camps, Science Days, and Seeds of Hope Agricultural Education Programs.  Accepting the check on behalf of FELC are Board Secretary Char Pope, Seeds of Hope Agriculture Program Supervisor Sr. Shirley Shafranek, Board President Tony Reser, Board Liaison Sr. Carol Inkrott, Education Coordinator Samantha Busack, and Seeds of Hope employee Clinton Kimmet.  For more information on FELC programs and scholarship availability, call 419-448-7485 or email FELC Director Mimi Johnston at mjohnston@felctiffin.org. To learn more about FELC, visit www.felctiffin.org.

Pictured (L to R): John Schuld, Char Pope, Sr. Shirley Shafranek, Tony Reser, Tony Gorrell, Sr. Carol Inkrott, Samantha Busack and Clinton Kimmet.