Events
Giving Tuesday is coming up!
Mark Your Calendars
Giving Tuesday is December 2, 2025!
How to Participate in GivingTuesday:
1. By Mail:
- Send a check payable to Benedictine Sisters of Florida postmarked by Dec 2nd
- PO Box 2450, St. Leo, FL 33574-2450
2. Online:
- Go to our website: benedictinesistersoffl.org
- Click on the “Donate Now” button at the top of the page
- Fill-in the form and designate your donation for “Giving Tuesday”
Remembering September 11, 2001
We pray for the souls lost on that horrific day
and for all those whose lives were forever changed.
Continue ReadingS. Jerome Leavy
Rejoice with us as we celebrate and give thanks for our Sister Jerome Leavy OSB, (Dr Mary Leavy) longtime educator and mentor, who entered the fullness of life on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the age of 86. She was born in the Bronx, New York, on October 21, 1939 to Virginia and Harold Leavy and moved later to Miami, Florida.
She entered the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, Saint Leo, Florida in June 1958. She served in many capacities in her Benedictine community, including twelve years as prioress.
In addition to her many years of service in various Catholic schools, her external ministries also included the role of academic administrator at Saint Leo College and faculty member at the University of South Florida’s College of Education. At USF she directed the Student Observer Program and taught “Diversity in Education”. Deeply respected by colleagues and beloved by her students, Dr. Leavy was known for her wisdom, kindness, and commitment to preparing future teachers with both skill and compassion.
Her life of service reflected her faith and dedication to others, leaving a lasting impact on university communities and beyond. She will be remembered with gratitude by the many lives she touched.
She is survived by her many friends at Concordia Village of Tampa where she was a longtime resident and her Benedictine community.
A Vigil service on Monday, September 8th at 7:00 pm at Holy Name Monastery (12138 Wichers Road, St. Leo, FL). Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Holy Name Monastery on Tuesday, September 9th at 10:00 am followed by burial in the Saint Leo Abbey Cemetery.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, P.O. Box 2450, Saint Leo, FL.
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Just 90 days away from GivingTuesday 2025!
Make a Will Month
Did you know August is
Make a Will Month?
People often put off making a will. Why? Some believe they don’t own enough to have a will. (They probably do.) Others believe that everything will automatically go to their spouse or children, so they don’t need to do anything. (It may not.) And still others simply don’t like to think about the fact that they’ll die someday. (But they will.)
August is Make a Will Month…and for good reason. If you don’t have a will, making one is the only way to ensure that everything you’ve built or been blessed with goes to those you intended to have it.
And if you do have a will, here are three quick things to check off your list:
- Keep your will in a safe, secure place. Let a family member or two know where it is, and who prepared it for you. Be sure your Executor has a copy.
- Pull it out every three to five years and see if anything needs to be changed. Sometimes your circumstances have changed. You may have sold some things or purchased others. Sometimes outside circumstances change. The person you named as Executor may no longer be able to serve in that capacity. You may have switched banks or insurance companies. So take a look.
- Make sure you’ve named beneficiaries wherever you can — on insurance policies, investment and retirement accounts and so on. And check those to make sure they’re all up to date.
Here’s something else to ponder. As you think about your will and your legacy, consider including a gift to the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in your planning. There are lots of ways to do this, and all of them allow you to continue supporting the good work of the Sisters even after you’re gone.
Thank you for the love and support you’ve shown the Sisters. We thank God for you daily in our prayers. Please keep us in yours.
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