Foul play is suspected in the disappearance of a Catholic nun who is the founder and director of a residence for former prison inmates, authorities said.

Sister Karen Klimczak, 62, was last seen Friday night at Bissonette House, where she lives. The residence is at the same address as Hope House, the halfway house she founded in 1989 for non-violent ex-convicts.

Some of her clothing, her cell phone and other items were found in two trash bins near the home, Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson said.

"Foul play was likely involved," he said.

Church members became concerned when the nun missed several appointments Saturday and failed to show up for Easter services.

"We are praying that Sister Karen is safe and will soon be home," said Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. "She is a woman of God who has selflessly given spiritual guidance and her time to many of those who have been cast off by society."