Peers recognize Sister Mary Fran with Spirit Award

December 22, 2009 by

Sister Mary Fran Simons

Sister Mary Fran Simons

Sister Mary Fran Simons, who has been chaplain at Chandler (Ariz.) Valley Hope treatment facility since it opened in 1986, was honored for her years of service with the 2009 Spirit Recognition Award.


The award highlights a clinical professional in the Phoenix metropolitan area who has assisted clients in different specialty areas such as eating disorders, chemical dependency or mental health.


Some 200 people gathered at Sierra Tucson’s “Gratitude for Giving” breakfast in Phoenix Dec. 11 to honor Sister Mary Fran and the other award recipients. Hers was one of 11 annual awards presented to mental health professionals and social service personnel selected for the honors.


The program director for Chandler Valley Hope, Roger Nelson, nominated Sister Mary Fran. “She is our very own Mother Teresa who has had an enormous impact on the spiritual development of our patients,” Nelson said as he presented the award.

Comments

21 Responses to “Peers recognize Sister Mary Fran with Spirit Award”

  1. Karin C on January 18th, 2016 10:24 am

    I got sober in 1987 at Valley Hope and Sister Mary Fran helped me to find and discover God. I am forever grateful for her gentle loving ways! I love you Sr. Mary Fran! Karin C

  2. Marcia Allen on January 17th, 2010 9:19 am

    Congratulations, Mary Fran. And thanks for being the Sisters of St. Joseph in that ministry. And, my! you take a good picture!
    Marcia

  3. Mary Jo Sullivan on January 8th, 2010 2:02 pm

    Sr. Mary Fran;

    Congratulations on a much deserved recognition. You have touched hundreds of hearts and souls over the years. Thank you for being a beacon and an inspiration to those of us working in the field of addictions.

    Mary Jo

  4. Sister Philomene Reiland on January 8th, 2010 1:21 pm

    Congratulations, Mary Fran! There is no one more worthy of the tributes given to you! Continued blessings on your work with the “dear neighbor” in 2010.

  5. Carolyn Teter on January 5th, 2010 3:01 pm

    Dear Mary Fran. I’m such a late comer regards opening the website! What a beautiful tribute to you! Yes, you have touched many, many lives with your love and wisdom. Congratulations! Carolyn Teter

  6. Sr. Beth Stover Class of '64 on January 5th, 2010 8:49 am

    Mary Fran,
    Congratulation! You have always been a “wisdom” figure and I’ve know you to be a caring, loving person as well. It is inspiring to know that others recognize the God-in-you!
    Beth

  7. Carm Thibault on January 5th, 2010 7:36 am

    Mary Fran……….

    How good! Was happy to hear about your SPIRIT award! Yes!

    Love, Carm

  8. Esther Pineda on January 4th, 2010 1:35 pm

    Mary Fran~~ Just now opened the Srs. Web page. . . what a wonderful surprise. You are so dear to SO many people and such a GIFT. Congratulations!

  9. Bette Moslander on December 30th, 2009 4:41 pm

    Mary Fran, There couldn’t be an award most justly awarded.
    You have a way of conveying to others that they are worthy and good and that is a gift. Your own inclusive and unconditional love convinces them that it must be true and that is half the way to metanoia.

  10. Bernadine Pachta on December 29th, 2009 12:43 pm

    Mary Fran,

    Congratulations! You are most deserving of the award you received; you have a wonderful way of connecting and bringing God to others.
    Thank you, Mary Fran, for sharing your gift.
    Peace, Bernadine

  11. Pat Lewter, CSJ on December 27th, 2009 9:30 pm

    My dear, dear Mary Fran – You certainly have the ability to “connect” and in that connection to communicate who you are and who the other is – truly reflections of The Christ. What greater gift to give another and who may be experiencing it for the first time! I honor you for that every time I think about you!

  12. Sister Francis Margaret Otter on December 27th, 2009 4:01 pm

    Congratulations, Sister Mary Fran. What a beautiful tribute to your own spirituality. To be compared to Mother Teresa is such an honor. I am so happy for you and I know that Sister Eileen would be too. She is!!!!!

  13. Pat McLennon, CSJ on December 27th, 2009 2:24 pm

    Mary Fran…this is a well deserved honor and recognition of your presence, wisdom, and commitment to so many people throughout the years. Congratulations! Pat

  14. Christine Doman,CSJ on December 25th, 2009 10:23 pm

    Mary Fran,
    What a wonderful gift you share with the people who come stressed in life’s offerings. You are an inspiration to me always. Blessings on your ministry and life of loving presence to the “dear neighbor.” ‘
    CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR HONOR AND RECOGNITION RECEIVED.
    Christine

  15. Loretta A. Jasper on December 24th, 2009 9:19 am

    The award is a mere representation of all of the folks you have touched and influenced: staff and clients.
    Thanks for passing on your spirit and receiving graciously the public
    acknowledgement of services provided.

  16. Missy Ljungdahl on December 23rd, 2009 10:31 am

    Congratulations, Mary Fran! It is soooooooooooo right that you receive this award. You are truly a wise and gifted woman.

  17. Chris Meyer on December 23rd, 2009 9:12 am

    Congratulations, Mary Fran. A marvelous recognition and well deserved.

  18. Liebe Pellerin on December 23rd, 2009 7:12 am

    Yes, Mary Fran, you are a blessing to many people. It is great that your peers recognize this. Congratulations!

  19. Anne M. Reinert on December 22nd, 2009 9:09 pm

    How wonderful, blessings as you continue your life journey with and for…

  20. Faye, CSJ on December 22nd, 2009 5:24 pm

    Mary Fran! I know you as wonderful and it is so good to know that others have recognized it. Wow! Our very own Mother Teresa! Blessings on your continued work.

  21. Judy Stephens on December 22nd, 2009 8:58 am

    Congratulations, Mary Fran! What a fitting tribute to you and your ministry….

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