The new association consists of 10 women Religious who until recently belonged to the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Francis of Assisi, American Province, which is based at St. Joseph Convent in Lacon...

The Sisters will adopt white habits in place of the black and white habits they wear now. They presently wear medals that signify their membership in the association.

According to Sister Salezia, in July 2005 a group of Daughters of St. Francis of Assisi nuns moved to the Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in East Peoria, and in September 2005 the group began working at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

"Working in a hospital opens one to different kinds of people and a wider field of service," said Sister Salezia.

That was one factor that led to the Sisters’ renewal of their vows as members of a new community separate from their previous one, she said.