Sisters' Profiles
Sr. Frances Milano, fmm
Sister Frances Milano, fmm entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sept. 18, 1951 in North Providence. She pronounced her First Vows March 19, 1954 and her Final Vows March 19, 1957. Prior to her entry she had work experience as a receptionist and aide to a veterinarian and 8 1/2 years as clerk/teletype operator and relief manager for The Western Union Telegraph Company. This latter job entailed extensive travel throughout the United States. After she received “God’s Call”, prior to entering at Fruit Hill, Frances went on a Holy Year pilgrimage to several western European countries.
Her first mission sending was to San Francisco where she was bursar, librarian and the supervisor of young women residents. Frances was missioned to Peru and set sail in February 1958. lquitos on the Amazon was the site of her first work in Peru, teaching English. Later, she was sent to Chile, San Vicente de Tagua Tagua, where she filled a number of positions: English teacher, commissioner, bookstore clerk, and Novice Mistress. Throughout her religious life, Frances has served in various ministries: community and provincial leadership, novice directress, translator, hospital volunteer. Sent in mission to Holy Family Community in North Providence, she serves in community service wherever there is a need.
Sr. Aline Giroux, fmm
Sr. Aline Giroux, fmm entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary on March 15, 1952 In North Providence and pronounced her Final Vows September 17, 1959. Most of Sr. Aline's ministries have been in the health care field. After obtaining her license as an R.N. she did staff nursing in St. Louis and North Providence. Then she was sent to St. Francis Cardiac Hospital in Long Island where she was the assistant supervisor in the operating room, followed by serving as administrative assistant in charge of four hospital departments. After completing studies leading to an MBA, she became the assistant administrator of St. Francis Hospital, Long Island. Sister has served in administration in facilities in the United States and in Africa. Her present ministries are Director of the Fruit Hill Day Services and serving on the Board of Directors for Franciscan Children's Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Brighton and the Board of the Fruit Hill Day Services for the Elderly.
Sr. Margaret Lois Houlihan , fmm
Sr. Margaret Lois Houlihan entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary on March 16, 1947, in the 45th St. New York convent. She made her First Vows on Sept.17, 1949, and Final Vows on Sept. 17, 1952 in North Providence. Throughout her religious life she has had diverse ministries: as a linotype operator in The FMM Printing Press, music director, composer, Montessori teacher in the St Raphael Nursery, Bell St; Certified Nursing Assistant in St. Anne's Hospital, Fall River, MA. She was sent in mission to St. Teresa High School in Monrovia, Liberia, and also taught in the university and was the music director. She served in chaplaincy to higher government institutions in Kumasi, Ghana. In the USA, she served as the coordinator for Brooklyn Homeless Program and gave Music-imagery therapy in Francis House for persons suffering with AIDS. She volunteered in a child care facility and at St. Francis Center in Providence, RI. Her current ministry is librarian for the communities at Fruit Hill.
Sister Mary (Nancy) Cabral, fmm
Sister Mary (Nancy) Cabral entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in 1985 in Chicago, IL. During her novitiate, she ministered to abused women in Good Shepherd House. During the summer she worked with the migrant workers in North Carolina. Nancy pronounced her First Vows in 1988 and was sent to the Pre-novitiate house in St. Jerome's Parish to attend the Lay Ministry Course of the Archdioceseof Chicago and to attend Harry S. Truman Community College where she studied for her Associate's Degree. She was the editor of the college paper and served one year on the Community College Board of Chicago. During this time she went to the Young Religious Meetings in Peru, Mexico and Canada.
Sr. My Hoa Nguyen, fmm
Sr. My Hoa Nguyen was born on November 11 at Nha Trang, Vietnam, the eighth child of thirteen children; eight brothers and four sisters.
While in Nha Trang, Vietnam, My Hoa already has responded to God's call by teaching catechism to children. She also helped the children in her neighboorhood with their homework.
Her love of working with children continued after moving to the United States with her family. She worked as an assistant teacher for 3 to 5 year old children in a day care sponsored by the government for one year in San Jose, California.
Sr. Alma Dufault, fmm
Sr. Alma D. Dufault , fmm entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary on September 16, 1946 and made her final profession on March 19, 1952 . She completed studies at Fordham University in Social Work (MSW), and then served as a social worker in Divine Providence and McMahon Shelters in Manhattan, NY., She was sent in mission to Lebanon via Rome. While awaiting her visa to Lebanon, she spent time in Rome and in France. During this time Alma delved deeply into the history of the FMM Institute and of the Sisters who were the companions of Mary of the Passion. In 1957, at the age of 33, she was sent to the USA as the Directress of Novices . then to Rome as an Assistant General. At the General Chapter of 1972, Alma was elected Superior General. Upon completing her service as Superior General, Alma served as the first Secretary General of the newly established International Franciscan Conference. She was sent to the US Province 1988. After a renewal program, Alma was a member of a new community in Chamberino, NM. From 1992 to the present she has served as a member of the program for the Mission Resource Center in North Providence.
