USF Buys Presentation Motherhouse

In March we Sisters finalized the sale of our Motherhouse to the University of San Francisco. This sale of our historic Motherhouse marks another stage in our process of addressing the reality of our future: diminishing numbers and an aging population.

This sale will provide the necessary funding for the on-going care of our Sisters.

We have many happy and significant memories tied to our 2340 Turk Boulevard property. Important congregational meetings, donor events, special gatherings, and jubilees are part of the framework of memories we will carry with us as we take leave of this building. The University of San Francisco has been an important partner with the Sisters in many ways over the one hundred and seventy plus years since our founding. We are happy that USF is planning to use the Motherhouse to provide graduate student housing, provide expanded event space, and enhanced program opportunities for students.

As the University administration noted in a recent press release regarding the purchase, “It is important to note how meaningful it is for USF to be able to honor the Sisters of the Presentation in continuing to contribute to the work of education, service, and social justice in San Francisco.”

One action to prepare the Motherhouse for sale was that the contents needed to be removed. In keeping with our faithful stewardship of property and consistent with our care for those made poor, we undertook this process with great care and intentionality. Many of the furniture and décor items were used to furnish Sisters’ rooms at Peninsula del Rey and Alma Via.

We actively sought ways to repurpose our belongings by sharing them with nonprofits and organizations that directly help those less fortunate. Sacred items from the Chapel have aided the spiritual program at Presentation High School and provided much needed items for the retreat center operated by the Verbum Dei Sisters.

Other organizations such as SafeHouse, Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, Medical Share, and Eco-Haul received items to share with their clients.

As we mark this important transition, we Sisters remember the grace of God that has been poured upon us throughout our history. We believe our process of sharing and selling will be grace-filled moments for many others today and into the future.