Sr. Barbara Vano is a Sister of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio. Barbara currently serves as Director of Campus Ministry & Service Learning at Lourdes University in Sylvania. She also serves on the Advisory Council of St. Leonard, a senior residential community sponsored by the Sylvania Franciscans in Centerville, Ohio; and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Josina Lott Residential & Community Services in Toledo, OH. Originally from Detroit, MI, Barbara taught mathematics at both the high school and the college level for several years before entering the Sylvania Franciscans and professing first vows in 1997.

Upon moving to Ohio, Barbara served as program director at Helping Hands of St. Louis, a soup kitchen and outreach center in Toledo. Since beginning her ministry at Lourdes in 1996, Barbara has taught mathematics, served as a project lead with the information systems department, and worked in Campus Ministry and Service Learning. Additionally, she has helped plan and facilitate interfaith events and discussion groups. She also volunteers as a member of the Chapel ministry team for the Sisters of St. Francis and serves as a member of the Sisters’ Charism Committee.

Enjoying every opportunity to share the spirit of Francis, Barbara gives presentations and workshops for employees and board members of Franciscan sponsored ministries; for the Dominican Center at Marywood in Grand Rapids; at the TOR Franciscan Common Novitiate; and in Toledo area parishes. Her favorite topics include Franciscan spirituality, leadership from a Franciscan perspective, and the history of the Third Order Regular.

Barbara holds an M.A. degree in Mathematics from Wayne State University in Detroit (1983) and an M.A. degree in Franciscan Studies from the Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University (2003).

E-mail: bvano@lourdes.edu