Joliet Rotarians recently heard the poignant story of author Sal Di Leo, who credits the Sisters of Saint Francis Mary Immaculate in Joliet for making a difference in his life.  A number of Franciscan Sisters, including Rotarian Sister Mary Frances Seeley,  proudly cheered him on.

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Image“While I lived with the nuns I was treated with all the love that they could provide, unconditionally,” said Di Leo.

“They gave all of us whom they took care of in the orphanage all they had without complaining. Sometimes it must have been very difficult for them because we were not even their own children. But they never let us feel that way.”

Last year, Di Leo and his wife saw their dream of building a retreat center become a reality at St. Francis Lodge in northwestern Minnesota. Several Sisters of St. Francis from Joliet attended the dedication.