Sister Rosie Miller, OSF, has been selected as the Chiara Center program director and began her responsibilities on Sept. 1. She replaces Sister Renita Brummer, OSF, who was elected Minister General of her religious community, the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in St. Louis.

Sister Rosie is a Sister of St. Francis (Oldenburg, Ind.) and taught in Catholic grade schools in Indiana before serving as a pastoral associate for several parishes. From 1989-2013 she was a theology professor at Xavier University in Cincinnati, where among other subjects, she taught Franciscan spirituality and facilitated two pilgrimages to Assisi, Italy. Most recently she was director of St. Francis Spirituality Center in Tiffin, Ohio.

Sister Rosie is trained and certified in spiritual direction. She holds a bachelor's degree in theology and education from Marian University in Indianapolis and a master's degree in religious studies from Mundelein College. She also completed postgraduate work at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University in Chicago.

"It is significant to me that the mission of the Chiara Center flows from its rich history, being built on sacred ground that housed the St. John's Tuberculosis Sanatorium," Sister Rosie stated. "… the Chiara Center is … welcoming to all, rooted in relationship of earth as our common home and invites others to share the Franciscan view of a generous, loving, extravagant God.

"Most exciting is that all this is rooted in the Franciscan tradition which I believe has much to offer the world at this time and supported by Pope Francis who is drawing on the Franciscan charism for his vision of church and the world community," she said.

Founded in 2007, Chiara Center is a faith community dedicated to the discovery and healing presence of God within one's self, everyday life, relationships and all creation. All programs, services and hospitality are grounded in the spirit and heritage of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.