Franciscan Earth Literacy Center
A great event happened on December 2, l869. Father Bihn, Elizabeth and daughter Mary Schaefer, Miss Cunigunda Schmidt and Miss Mary Schaefer, sister-in-law of Elizabeth, signed their names to an incorporating document. The Name of the Association was the Citizens Hospital and Orphan Asylum.
Over l700 orphans had been cared for when the orphanage closed in l936. Twelve hundred elderly people were housed up to the time when a new home was built in 1961. Since then hundreds more found a safe haven, and today l73 elderly persons are in the new Home.
There are 35 people living in Elizabeth Schaefer Hall apartments. Hundreds of students have attended the Sisters of St. Francis School of Music. St. Francis High School a great alternative choice which clos- ed in l978, graduated 593 students.
Hospice, with the guiding hand of Mrs. Anita Gaydos, was and is housed at St. Francis. The Sisters have served as teachers, cared for the poor and cared for many desperate people from Central America. They work in hospitals and for peace over the world.
What a terrific asset they have been and are to our local community!
Re-evaluations of their mission for the future have recently occurred. From those studies, they have chosen goals of “educating themselves in the ways of sustainability, and reconnecting people with their natural environment and with each other.” After a Resource Audit in l992, the congregation developed an overall goal: to be come a Sustainable Community Model.
A ten year plan under the leadership of Sister Rita Wienken was approved in June, l994. The plan includes a reduction in energy consumption, recycling and composting, reduction in lawn size, increase in natural areas such as wetlands and prairies, development of herb and butterfly gardens, campus beautification, movement towards organic farming, and avoidance of use of harmful environmental chemicals.
A most exciting goal of the 10 year plan is to develop for the Tiffin community an environmental education program and facility, particularly for young people.
Nature trails through the St. Francis Woods are complete. Self- guided brochures are available. Inventories of both fauna and flora are underway. Workshops in environmental education for teachers have been given and are planned for the future. Children from the Heights program have used their staff and facilities. Hundreds of children were involved in activities such as Earth Day Activities, Celebrations of Creation, Circle of Life , and Touch the Earth programs.
An environmental coordinator, Mr. Scott Greenerth, has been employed. The Earth Literacy Center was incorporated by the State of Ohio. Trustees include four lay peo- ple: Tom Bartlett, Denise Callihan, Henry Rennie, and Chris Widman.
A new large undertaking is the renovation of a portion of a large dairy barn into a community based environmental education center. Ground breaking will be May l, l998 with a completion date of October l, l998.
The overall dimensions of the center are 84 by 34 feet. A solar greenhouse (l2 ft. by 70 ft.) will be constructed along the south side of the main structure. A solar water heating demonstration model is planned. All parts of the building will be handicap accessible.
The Center will have a library, restrooms, a kitchen, gift shop area, offices and a large room for meetings including projection equipment and seating for l00 people.
The Sisters of St. Francis have secured 50% of the needed funds. Gifts have been received from the National Machinery Foundation, and the Paul and Lucy Gilmore Charitable Foundation. Others include local businesses and individuals, Sisters of St. Francis, and other Women Religious Groups.
The Sisters of St. Francis have faith that the remainder will be forthcoming. This project is certainly deserving of our support.