Assisi Heights

Assisi Heights is the home and congregational headquarters of the Rochester Franciscan community. Of the 250 Rochester Franciscans, there are about 120 retired Sisters who live at Assisi Heights. Many of the Sisters living at Assisi Heights live independently. There are assisted living and health care services available to Sisters who might need assistance. The Volunteer program provides services to the Sisters of St. Francis to enhance their holistic well-being and has been since 1972.

The mission of the Sisters of St. Francis and staff at Assisi Heights is to provide a spiritual home and sanctuary of hospitality and compassion for each other, the Rochester Franciscans, for the broader community, and for all who come to serve and be served. The mission of the Assisi Heights Volunteer Program is to integrate the varied gifts and talents of volunteers with the holistic well-being of the Sisters of St. Francis, in a manner that will contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the Sisters' physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The Sisters of St. Francis of the Third Order Regular, the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes: this is the official name Franciscan Sisters of Rochester. The community was founded in 1877 by Mother Alfred Moes. Mother Alfred Moes was the one who asked Dr. W.W Mayo to be the doctor of St. Mary's Hospital. The Sisters opened schools in Owatonna and Rochester, and in 1889 founded St. Mary's Hospital. A nursing school, run by the Sisters, was begun at the hospital in 1894. While some Sisters were nurses, instructors, and administrators at the hospital, others continued in the profession of teaching. The Franciscan Sisters of Rochester, pioneers in secondary education for young women, also founded Winona Seminary, which in 1912 became the College of St. Teresa. Over the last century, the Sisters have served in the fields of teaching, nursing, administration, pastoral care, chaplaincy, social work, human services, peace and justice, retreat leadership, and more. The Rochester Franciscans continue to share their values in collaborative ministries as they progress through the new millennium.