CANFIELD, Ohio - The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown are celebrating 150 years of service in the Mahoning valley, with an update on their $10 million fundraising campaign.

To date, the "Fullness of Life, Future of Hope" campaign has raised $5.1 million. The Ursuline Sisters are asking for the public's help to raise the remainder of the funds within the next year.

The campaign will fund three initiatives, according to a press release from the Ursuline Sisters. $4 million will provide for retirement needs of the Sisters; $3 will sustain their essential ministries in education, spiritual growth and pastoral care; and $3 million will be used to update their facilities, especially with safety measures.

Sister Mary McCormick, general superior of the Ursuline Sisters, says the funds are necessary to continue their ministry, while taking care of the sisters who carry out those acts of service.

"While today we are okay, tomorrow we will be okay, we know that without doing something, we will run out of funds before we run out of sisters," Sister McCormick says.

The ministry currently houses 26 sisters, with a median age of 81.

Sister McCormick adds, part of the renovations to the facilities include accommodations for both assisted and independent living - which is an important feature for sisters who are advancing in age.