FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Greg Zielinski, PhD, Zielinski Companies
Phone: 314-644-2150, x118
Email: gzielinski@zielinskico.com
WITHDRAWAL FROM ST. ANNE’S HOME
San Francisco, California, January 8, 2025 – Today the Little Sisters of the Poor announced with sadness that they will be closing St. Anne’s Home in San Francisco, California. This morning the Sisters met with the Residents, their families, lay Associates, staff and volunteers to share their decision.
The Little Sisters of the Poor have served in the Archdiocese since arriving in San Francisco in March 1901. Ten Little Sisters took up temporary residence at 2030 Howard Street, and as the Home began to fill with Residents, the Sisters realized they needed to find a larger permanent location.
Edward Joseph LeBreton, one of San Francisco’s most successful businessmen of the early 1900s, quickly took an active interest in the Little Sisters’ work on Howard Street and told the Little Sisters, “It is for God that I am giving. I will give you the home – complete – regardless of the cost…” Le Breton placed only two conditions on his gift. The inscription, “In Honor of My Father and Mother,” was to be placed over the door of the new home. And in recognition of his devotion to the mother of Mary, he hoped that St. Anne could be the patron of the new home. On May 15, 1904, the doors at St. Anne’s Home on Lake Street opened to greet its first 121 Residents.
In 1977 St. Anne’s Home was declared unsafe in the event of a fire or earthquake. Thanks to the kindness of many benefactors and volunteers, groundbreaking for the construction of a new home took place on April 25, 1979.
In making the announcement today, Mother Julie Horseman, lsp, Provincial Superior of the Little Sisters, explained: “These decisions are the fruit of our General Chapter in France in 2022 and are in harmony with our strategic plan aimed at strengthening our ministry and the quality of our religious and community life. The Little Sisters have recognized the need to withdraw from a certain number of Homes in the United States, while at the same time dedicating our resources to much needed upgrades and reconstruction projects in others.” She added, “Many factors have obliged us to move forward with this decision. It has only come after a lengthy period of prayer, much consultation and much study.”
Mother Julie concluded the announcement by expressing the Little Sisters’ profound gratitude to God for all that they have received from benefactors, friends and families – people of every religious belief and race – who have touched their lives and those of their Residents for the past 123 years. In a special way she thanked Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of the Archdiocese of San Francisco for his leadership in promoting and supporting the mission of the Little Sisters of the Poor. She assured every member of St. Anne’s Home family of the Sisters’ prayers and support throughout the transition period and asked for their prayers in return for the Little Sisters’ community.
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For further information, please contact Greg Zielinski, PhD, Zielinski Companies, 314-644-2150, x118.