Saint Roger Abbey Brings Its Mission to South Scranton, PA

Baked goods can stimulate those wonderful memories from our past, reminding us of people, places and occasions we hold dear. Behind these delicious treats is the puppeteer, the one responsible for creating the experience or the memory. For the Religious Nuns and Friars of Saint Roger Abbey, the ones pulling the strings are looking to alleviate some of the pain of those in need. (More on those sweets later!)

A Mission That Began in France

This order of religious men and women (aka the Fraternité Notre-Dame) originated in 1977 in Fréchou, located in southwestern France, north of Lourdes. The order’s founder, Jean Marie Kozik, a Frenchman of Polish descent, was inspired by an apparition of the Virgin Mary. That inspiration propelled him to begin humanitarian efforts in France and beyond.

Though this traditionalist Catholic order continually pledges to help the most vulnerable throughout the world, including Paris, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, and Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Charity travels, as the nuns and friars of Fraternité Notre-Dame have demonstrated over only a few decades.

Bringing Their Mission to South Scranton, PA

Recently, this young order has set its sights on Northeastern Pennsylvania, bringing its mission to South Scranton, PA in fewer than fifty years. It’s remarkable!

Their work has impacted the needy in various regions of our country. Their mission is carried out through soup kitchens, after-school programs, orphanages, schools, clinics and food nutrition services. They lift up the homeless, the suffering and families in need.

Supporting Their Mission Through Self-Sustaining Operations

How do they raise the funds for these works of charity?

The nuns and friars of Saint Roger Abbey are able to serve through the generosity of their benefactors as well as many self-sustaining operations, including breweries, wineries, gift shops and bakeries.

They have taken a vow of poverty, using their culinary talents and time to feed society’s outcasts. They do it with much more than just physical food. In the spirit of Saint Teresa of Ávila, they are the hands, feet and body of Christ in this world.

A New Home in South Scranton

They’ll be that in the Greater Scranton area too.

The Religious Nuns and Friars of Saint Roger Abbey closed on the multi-use commercial complex at 421 Hickory Street in Scranton, which they’ll use to support their charitable mission. The property sold for $650,000 through the efforts of nineteen-year veteran REALTOR®, Cheryl Gerrity of Realty Network Group.

“I am thrilled to see these architecturally magnificent buildings being brought back to life and used for their intended purpose,” asserts Mrs. Gerrity. “The residents and business owners of South Scranton will most certainly benefit from the activity the Fraternité Notre-Dame will bring to our area.”

Supporting a Mission That Extends Around the World

Across the world, Saint Roger Abbey supports its charitable mission through authentic French recipes made with the best organic ingredients available. Their bakeries feature everything from macarons and French madeleines (reminiscent of Italian ciambrelli orange cookies) to chocolate croissants, tartlets, Breton cakes and much more.

Those self-sustaining operations help fund the order’s humanitarian work, allowing the nuns and friars to continue serving people in need across the globe.

As Saint Roger Abbey begins its next chapter in South Scranton, PA, our community will have the opportunity to witness that mission firsthand. Realty Network Group is proud to have helped facilitate a project that will bring new life to a historic property while supporting our community in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

In France they say, merci à l’avance, which means “thanks in advance!”