SFSM’s ‘Steady Presence,’ Ren Austing, Begins His Next Chapter

You might not see him serving guests in the dining room or teaching sewing classes at the Sarah Center, but Finance Manager Ren Austing’s efforts behind the scenes are what make St. Francis Seraph Ministries’ work possible.

Since 2011, Ren has ensured employees get their paychecks, vendors’ bills are paid, and financial crises are avoided.

“If I’m unnoticed, then that’s probably my highest achievement,” Ren says.

Ren will retire later this summer, and his departure definitely will not go unnoticed. Not only is he an excellent steward of SFSM’s finances, he exemplifies Franciscan values in his work and personal life.

“Ren has the deepest respect of the entire team here, and while we’ll miss his steady presence every day, we’re all thrilled for him to begin this next chapter,” Executive Director Mary Pat Raupach says. “Ren’s expertise has been critical to the success of the entire St. Anthony Center, and I am indescribably grateful for the privilege of working with him.”

In retirement, Ren plans to stay close to SFSM and to other causes he’s passionate about. He wants to volunteer his time to explore ways to make SFSM’s work more sustainable, such as reducing energy usage, recycling, and composting.

He is also eager to help get out the vote for fall’s election, and he plans to spend time with his family, especially kayaking together on rivers and lakes.

Ren is a sixth-generation Cincinnatian of German descent whose ancestors lived in Over-the-Rhine. He’s proud to be part of the Franciscan legacy that began here in 1844. He was led to nonprofit work by his desire to serve the poor, racial minorities, and the homeless — the types of marginalized people to whom St. Francis also was drawn.

On a Franciscan pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, Ren learned about how St. Francis reached out to lepers who had been expelled from their community.

“That really touches my heart,” he says. “There are a lot of different aspects of St. Francis. He’s most well-known as the patron saint of the environment, which obviously is important to me, too. But even more so, reaching out to the outcast is a big thing. The bulk of the people we serve are homeless or low-income, so that has been a niche that is satisfying to fill.”

Though Ren’s work days at SFSM are coming to a close, the impact he has left on our organization — and our community — will be felt for many years to come.

Thank you, Ren, for your dedicated service and support!