By Sister Kathleen Osbelt, Founder of Francis House
The Gospel of St. John quotes Jesus as saying:
“I have come that you might have life and have it in abundance.”
(John 10:10)
Within every person is the longing for a fullness of life. It is love that brings forth that fullness, that abundance. That is why Francis House was begun 31 years ago—that persons may be given a full life until death.
We all desire to be loved and to love. Without love we perish. Is there a time more critical than the end of life for needing to feel that we are loved?
My constant cry when trying to establish Francis House was always: “No one should have to die alone!” To be able to establish a home where people are surrounded by love has been my/our greatest joy.
Whenever I am praying for intercession, I lift up my heart to all those who have died at Francis House for help, for it is they who have taught us about loving and they who have been loved.
More than 31 years of ministry has brought us hundreds of residents and volunteers whose lives have touched us and changed us in some way. We carry a bit of each other’s spirit as we move toward our own final home.
Could there be a greater community of love and communion of saints? How blessed are we to have this ministry and privilege!
Francis House
