The first National Catholic Sisters Week was held the week of March 8-14 to celebrate and honor the work of women religious throughout the world. It was intended to shine a national spotlight on the good works and good will of Catholic sisters. It recognizes past and present sisters, from the pioneers in schools and hospitals to the faithful praying in cloistered chapels.

   St. Paul Catholic School and Parish has been blessed for 84 years with the presence of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. The Sisters arrived in the parish in August of 1930 and in five days opened the school with over 100 children. Thanks to their courage, vision, and curriculum expertise (the sisters brought with them the New York State Curriculum), St. Paul Catholic School continues to be one with high academic and moral standards for the students. Down through these years the sisters have played a major role in the Catholic formation of hundreds of children in our parish as well as ministering to their families.

   Sister Kathleen Stagnaro taught in the school for 10 years before becoming Principal for another 11 years. Sister is currently the Outreach Minister for the parish and volunteers one day a week in the school teaching religion to students in grades 3-5. Sister says she is now teaching the children of her former students. Our Assistant Principal, Sister Joan Carberry, began her ministry in the school in 1992. Sister plays a vital role in the everyday operations and success of

the school. Both Sister Joan and Sister Kathleen continue to bring the Franciscan charism to the faculty, students, parents, and parishioners of St. Paul's.

   In conjunction with this national celebration and to show our gratitude to the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, the St. Paul faculty, staff and students on Thursday, March 20th, recognized Sister Kathleen and Sister Joan at Morning Opening. Many parents were in attendance to show their appreciation and gratitude to the Sisters.    Thank you to all the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany who have served here at St. Paul School and Parish.

St. Paul Administration, Faculty, and Staff 

Mark your calendars for June 19 - 22, 2014 for the Thomas Merton Conference at St. Bonaventure University! The life of beloved Catholic contemplative poet and Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, will be the focus of SBU's summer 2014 conference, "Coming home and going forth: Merton as mirror and model." 

 

Through keynote speakers, worship experiences, and tours, the conference will explore the relationships Merton had with the people and places of St. Bonaventure.

 

Conference speakers include these renowned Merton scholars:

 

• Dom John Eudes Bamberger, O.C.S.O., Fourth Abbot of the Abbey of Genesee;
• Christine Bochen, Ph.D., professor of religious studies and the William H. Shannon Chair in Catholic Studies at Nazareth College;
• Fr. Daniel Horan, O.F.M., America magazine columnist, author, St. Bonaventure alumnus, and doctoral student in systematic theology at Boston College;
• Michael Higgins, Ph.D., professor of religious studies and vice president for mission and Catholic identity at Sacred Heart University.

 

Early bird registration is due by April 15, 2014 for a cost of $400 per person. This price includes on-campus apartment accommodations, meals and receptions. Registration is available online.

Excerpt from: The Guardian

   At the end of a two-day meeting, organised by the bishops' conference of England and Wales and chaired by the archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Pope Francis met privately with four women, all former sex workers who were the victims of trafficking.

   In his address, the Argentinian pontiff said: "Human trafficking is an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ. It is a crime against humanity." READ MORE

   The 58th session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York, March 10-21 2014. Representatives of member states, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations from all regions of the world attended the session to consider the challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls.

   Established in 1947, the CSW has been instrumental in promoting women's and girls' rights, documenting the reality of their lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and empowerment.

   More information is available at www.unwomen.org/en/csw/csw58-2014. 

   Our sisters have always been ready for adventure! In this 1966 photograph, Sisters Marie Patrice, Rita Francis, Virginia, and Karen are riding in a Jeep with Father Crispin in Mapiri, Bolivia. The Allegany Franciscans arrived in Bolivia in 1965, where they established schools and health clinics in some of the poorest communities. Today, two sisters remain in Bolivia, where they continue to help the poor and the marginalized.