We congratulate Maria Abadia da Silva OSF, Rosimeire Dias Nolêto OSF, Valdete Patrocínio OSF, Maria do Socorro Rabelo OSF, and Aldenir Mota Ribeiro OSF. Congratulations also to their band mate, Judith Terrameo OSF, who celebrated in May at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York.

Olean Vigil for the Reunification of Families  

Press Release from the Immigrant and Refugee Task Force of the Citizens Action Network

   Many of us have been touched and troubled by the sight of children in cages or detention centers, separated from their parents who are seeking asylum in the United States due to violence and terror in their own countries. These families have faced difficult travels as they seek safety only to find that they have to endure devastating and damaging separation from their children in the process.

   The Immigrant and Refugee Task Force, which was formed 15 months ago, set goals to provide advocacy, education about immigration policies, and material resources to assist immigrants and refugees who come to the United States. In the past year, we developed a resource sheet to help immigrants and refugees find sources for legal and personal assistance, created policy recommendations for a fair and balanced immigration bill which we provided to candidates seeking to represent the 23rd District in NYS, and worked with the Resettlement Center of Catholic Charities to provide furniture, household goods, and personal care items to the refugee families who are being welcomed in Buffalo.

   In keeping with our mission to provide advocacy for immigrants and refugees, we are holding a Vigil for the Reunification of Families to show our support to the families who are being torn apart at our southern border. The vigil will be held in Lincoln Park on Wednesday, July 11, at 6:30 p.m. It is expected the vigil will last approximately one hour. We invite people to come and share that time with us as we remember and honor these families through readings, music, poems, a candle lighting, and signing cards which will be sent to families who are suffering. We expect that all who join us will honor our wish that this be a time of remembrance and caring and not politicize the event. For more information or if you wish to participate in the event through readings, music, or prayer, please contact either Linda Matthews at 716 474-5958 or [email protected] or Diane Trippany at [email protected].

 

   The presentation will be held in the Meeting Room. Lunch is included in the cost, which is $10. P re-registration is required.

 

Upcoming Webinar: Clare of Assisi: Heart of Franciscan Spirituality 

   On Thursday, August 2, Margaret Magee will present on the topic of "Clare of Assisi - Heart of Franciscan Spirituality" during an interactive webinar from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

   Our 2016 Chapter Statement calls us to be ignited by the fire of the Spirit and our Allegany Franciscan-Clarian charism. Since that time the Franciscan-Clarian Spirituality committee has been committed to sharing resources, reflections and has as one of its goals to formulate a series of webinars on Franciscan-Clarian Spirituality.
   During this webinar presentation, Margaret will share on the Medieval milieu in which Clare and Francis lived; the movement that they envisioned and inspired ; the events that challenged and shaped their lives and the early community; and what all of this means for us today.  
   There is no cost for the webinar. Interested persons, please contact Denise Bunk-Hatch at [email protected] for more information.

Franciscan-Clarian Art Reflection 

By: Martia Flynn OSF

   This is a picture of St. Francis receiving the stigmata about two years before his death, while he was at Mount Alvernia.

   Francis was known to have a constant memory of Our Lord's passion in his heart. This picture depicts a version of him after receiving the stigmata on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

   The wounds of Christ depicted on his heart, hands and feet appear like gems.

 

"For me to live is Christ,

to die is gain."

(Phil 1:21)