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| Allegany Franciscan Website
Did you know that a daily reflection is posted on our Facebook page, or that it is also shared with a Portuguese translation by our Sisters in Brazil? Take a look! |
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Happy Spring!
"Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs."
St. Francis of Assisi
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 National Catholic Sisters' Week spaghetti dinner a huge success
Submitted by: Denise Bunk-Hatch, Communications Director
On Thursday, March 13, our sisters in the Allegany area celebrated National Catholic Sisters' Week with a spaghetti dinner in the company of students from St. Bonaventure University. Over 30 students from the university attended the dinner, which lasted from 5 to 7 p.m. Students were seated in small groups (one to three students) with sisters, and each table actively participated in an icebreaker activity designed to generate conversation. Throughout the event, a silent video played on loop giving a short visual history of the connection between the congregation and St. Bonaventure University. Copies of The Wonderful Works of God were also available to those in attendance. After dinner, students were awarded prizes based on their scores from icebreaker activity, and treated to a story from Sr. Mary Laffey. Sr. Mary served as the counselor for the St. Bonaventure female resident students when they were housed at the Motherhouse prior to the construction of female dormitories on campus. After the dinner, the sisters sang the Blessing of St. Francis, and many students lingered after the conclusion of the event to exchange contact information with the sisters at their tables. A multitude of students eagerly asked about volunteer opportunities at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, and said they would gladly return to spend additional time with the sisters. |
We are Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in Brazil, Bolivia, Jamaica and the U.S.!
Submitted by: Margaret Magee, OSF
These excerpts were taken from a piece by the same title written by Sr. Margaret for Allegany Connections. The full piece, as well as an array of photos, will be published in the summer 2014 edition of Connections, to be released in May.
Through the years I have been blessed with opportunities to travel to Brazil, Jamaica, and within the U.S. to visit with our sisters and to attend congregational assemblies and meetings. Recently I made my first trip to Bolivia to visit our sisters, Elvira Donaldson and Maria Miranda, in La Paz; the reality of being an Allegany Franciscan in four countries has taken on new and richer meaning. Elvira and Maria graciously welcomed Margaret Mary and I for our week-long visit. When we were not traveling, visiting with others, touring some sights of La Paz, Cochabamba, Sipe Sipe and Lake Titicaca, we enjoyed relaxing conversations and meals with time to share as sisters with one another. I feel blessed for this time to be with Maria and Elvira and the opportunity to experience their rich culture and beautiful country. To view additional photos from Srs. Margaret Mary and Margaret's visit to Bolivia, visit our Facebook page. The entirety of this piece and additional photos will be available in the next edition of Allegany Connections, so be on the lookout! |
 Sr. Pat Reid gives retreat for Olean-area Catholics
Submitted by: Pat Reid, OSF
On March 9,10, and 11, the three parishes of St. Bonaventure in Allegany, St. John's, and St. Mary's, both in Olean, joined to offer a mission for the people of the three parishes. This year the site was St. John's Church, and Patricicia Reid, OSF, was invited to preach the Mission. She spoke of God's compassion for us and, using the Icon of the Trinity, reflected with the parishioners our place at the table and God's desire to lavish us with love and forgiveness.
Margaret Mary Kimmins, OSF, spoke on the first night of the presence of the Allegany Sisters in the area in education, health care, and pastoral ministry.
Margaret Magee, OSF, gave a prayerful reflection on St. Francis and his evolution in wisdom, knowledge and intimacy with God on the second night.
The last night, Sr. Pat spoke on the need for forgiveness, especially for ourselves and those around us. The pastors of the three parishes were present to administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Prior to this, Srs. Margaret Mary, Margaret, and Pat anointed all who wished, with the "oil of peace".
It was a grace-filled time for all, as they began the Lenten Journey. |
 Allegany Franciscan Ministries honors Catholic Sisters
Letter submitted by: Eileen Coogan Boyle
It's National Catholic Sisters Week!
Allegany Franciscan Ministries is deeply grateful to Catholic Sisters across the country - and the world! We would like to especially recognize the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY, who formed in 1859 to provide education for girls and young women in southwestern New York State. The sisters came to Florida in the late 1920s, joyfully serving others through their hospitals in Miami Beach, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. In every case, these hospital ministries were devoted to witnessing God's love and meeting the needs of their poor, oppressed and disenfranchised sisters and brothers. Over the years, the ministries in each area grew and changed, always keeping the values of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in their hearts.
Thanks to the vision and courage of the Sisters, the initial Allegany Franciscan Foundation was created for people in the three regions of Florida served by their hospitals. In 1999, the first distributions were made - $1,025,000 to seven organizations. Throughout its grant-making history, Allegany Franciscan Ministries has made a concerted effort to follow in the sisters' footsteps, embracing collaboration and active dialogue, engaging in service with those we seek to serve, and living in right relationship with God and others.
Allegany Franciscan Ministries is forever indebted to the sisters for their extraordinary work, allowing us to award nearly $70 million in grants to impact people's lives in our communities. Every day, their prayers and encouragement continue to sustain us, while their vision and tradition guide and ground us.
Special thanks to those sisters who currently serve on our Board of Trustees, Regional Commissions, St. Francis Board and ACOR Grants Committee:
Sr. Jo Streva
Sr. Anne Martin Robonie
Sr. Avril Chin Fatt
Sr. Donna Eileen Kane
Sr. Jeanne Williams
Sr. Joan Dawson
Sr. Kathleen Stagnaro
Sr. Lucy Cardet
Sr. Marlene Weidenborner
Sr. Margaret Mary Kimmins
Sr. Maria Pereira dos Santos
Sr. Mary Murphy
Sr. Michele Dolyk
Sr. Nancy Christopher
Sr. Odette Haddad
Sr. Pat Tyre
Peace and All Good,
Eileen
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 St. Mary of the Angels Academy Blessed Mother Statue to be dedicated at Bishop Eustace Prep
When St. Mary of the Angels Academy was closed in 1972, all students were invited to transfer to Bishop Eustace Prep. This was the same school that took in the statue of the Blessed Mother from the front of St. Mary of the Angels Convent when it was sold. A plaque honoring St. Mary of the Angels Academy and its graduates has been placed on the statue, which still stands at Bishop Eustace. This plaque is a gift from the SMAA class of 1963. A dedication Mass and reception for the plaque and its installation will be held on Sunday, May 18, at Bishop Eustace Prep, 5552 Route 70, Pennsauken, NJ, at 1 p.m. All graduates of SMAA are invited to attend the Mass, which is themed "Dedicating Ourselves to be Women of Faith". The reception will follow immediately after the Mass at Morgan Hall, in the Basement of Christ the King Church in Haddonfield, NJ. There is no charge to attend the event, but a free-will offering will be taken to cover a stipend for Fr. Bob Nolan, who will preside over the Mass, as well as to help defray other costs. For more information, or to RSVP for the event, contact Geri Egizi Borbe at borbe3@comcast.net. |
 Pictured: Postulants in the band of 1961.
When a young woman entered the convent, she was given a long list of supplies that she was required to bring with her. The following is a transcription of the 1958 list of supplies all postulants in that band were told to bring:
2 black dresses, made with full skirt, four inches above the floor in length.
2 black circular capes
4 white collars
2 pair of dress shields
4 black petticoats or black slips
1 shawl
1 sleeveless sweater
3 sets of winter underwear, half sleeves optional.
6 sets of summer underwear, half sleeves.
3 of each: Flannellette and cotton nightgowns, high neck, long sleeves.
2 corsets or equivalent
6 gingham aprons
6 of each: face cloths, face towels, bath towels
1/2 dozen linen table napkins
1 bathrobe, dark, full length
1 kimono, dark, full-length
1 1/2 dozen pairs black cotton hosiery
2 dozen large size handkerchiefs
1 pair of black silk gloves
1 pair of black woolen gloves
2 pairs of black silk sleeves
3 pairs black oxfords
1 pair of bedroom slippers; soft soles, no heels
1 pair of galoshes
1 pair of rubbers
1 umbrella
1 silver watch
1 travelling bag
1 trunk
1/2 doz pairs of shoe laces
1/2 doz cans of shoe polish
1 shoe brush
1 clothes brush
1 hair brush
1 fine comb
1 coarse cob
1 nail file and brush
1 small standing mirror
1 soap case
4 doz toilet soap (unscented)
2 doz laundry soap
2 doz tooth paste or tooth powder
1/2 doz tooth brushes
1 laundry bag
Kotex or equivalent
1 sewing basket; thimble, needles, scissors. Pins: black heads, white heads, common safety.
6 spools of black darning cotton
6 spools of black cotton thread
6 spools of white cotton thread
1 roll black tape, 5/8 inch
3 rolls white tape, 5/8 inch
1 tape measure
Indelible ink
Writing materials and stamps
Fountain pen and pencil
Office of the Blessed Virgin--4 separate seasons (Benziger Bros.)
Missal
Bible--small edition
Postulants bring $30 instead of bedding
A dowry of $50 is required.
You may bring any religious, school, or other suitable books on hand; also any music. You can view the original list in the archives!
What are your memories of entering the convent? Write to the archives and share your stories! Email archives@fsallegany.org or call Ellen Winger, Congregational Archivist, at 716-373-0200 x3242. |
Franciscan Center Retreat Offerings:
Palm Sunday - The Science of the Shroud of Turin
April 13, 2 - 4 p.m.
Led by Dr. Wayne Phillips, MD
In regards to the Shroud of Turin, Pope Francis has stated that "this burial cloth that some believe shows the face of Jesus Christ, speaks to the heart. This disfigured face resembles all those faces of men and women marred by a life which does not respect their dignity, by war and violence which afflict the weakest ... And yet, at the same time, the face in the shroud conveys a great peace; this tortured body expresses a sovereign majesty." A Q&A session will follow.
Fee: $10
Please RSVP by April 9 to reserve seating.
Holy Week Retreat
April 16, 5 p.m. - April 20, 9 a.m. Led by Father Anthony Carrozzo, OFM To listen to and reflect upon the seven last words has become a common practice at this time of year. During this Triduum, we will not only listen to these final words of Jesus once again, but will also personalize them, placing them in the context of our own stories. Through the integration of the liturgies and our lives, we will celebrate Easter with the deeper understanding that this is our story too. Fee: $255/single room; $230/religious; $135/commuter.
Please RSVP by April 4 to reserve your space.
A Retreat with Bishop Thomas Gumbleton: Rebuilding the Church - St. Francis and Pope Francis
May 10, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
A return to the Gospel message of Jesus for the 21st century.
Fee: $25, lunch included.
Please RSVP by May 2 to reserve seating.
Silent Directed Retreat
June 23, 5 p.m. - June 29, noon
Led by Sister Mary Arghittu, OSF; Father Anthony Carrozzo, OFM; Sister Anne Dougherty, OSF; and Sister Jeanne Williams, OSF
During the silent directed retreat, participants meet daily with a spiritual director. The rest of the day is spent participating in daily Mass, time for prayer and contemplation, walking the grounds or labyrinth, creating art, listening to music and resting.
Fee: $440.
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RELIGIOUS IN THE WORLD OF 2014
Presented by: Fr. Joseph Krastel, C.Ss.R.
Held at the Notre Dame Retreat House
5151 Foster Rd.
Canandaigua, NY 14424
July 13-18, 2014
$325 registration fee
585-394-5700
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Upcoming deadlines:
April 2- Next edition e-newsletter
April 15 - Summer edition Allegany Connections
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