| Reflection: "A Franciscan Theology of Stuff: Consumerism, Human Trafficking and Franciscan Action"
Submitted by: Elaine Bane, OSF
I just read an article that shocked and stunned me, stopped me dead in my tracks. In it I learned that I am complicit in the contemporary slave trade of my sisters and brothers. Unwittingly, yes, but guilty nevertheless. Through seemingly innocent habits of shopping for items at the lowest price, "Every one of us, every day, touches, wears, and eats products tainted with slavery. Slavery-made goods and commodities are everywhere in our lives." (Kevin Bales and Ron Soodalter, "The Slave Next Door")
The author pointed out that even innocent children are made into complicit consumers in human trafficking at Halloween time. Our own grandnieces and nephews, in their trick-or-treating, consume candy made by respected American confectioners. How could they know that the candy was provided by other innocent children their own age exploited as slaves in cocoa plants in Ghana and the Ivory Coast?
As I read the article listed above, Matthew 25 kept resounding through my mind - "when did we see you hungry, naked, imprisoned". We didn't and we don't, because we live in a consumer culture of which we are very much a part. We frequent those very businesses unaware that they are supporters of the hugely profitable business of human trafficking.
I know that we all want to become "ethical consumers" so I recommend this article. I hope that we will all heed the examen of conscience on page 10. Maybe as clusters, we could make an impact.
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 Marlene Weidenborner honored
Submitted by: Denise Bunk-Hatch, communications director
On Sunday, December 15, Marlene Weidenborner, OSF, received the Pontifical Award "Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice", the highest award conferred upon members of the laity by the Holy See. Sister Marlene was nominated for the award by the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Robert Lynch, along with 21 others. Although honored to receive the award, Sister Marlene says she is not certain why she was nominated. The names of the recipients were announced in August. The award ceremony was held on Sunday, December 15, at the Bethany Retreat Center in Lutz, FL. According to Sister Marlene, the evening was celebrated as one of solemn prayer, "which was just beautiful".
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An Update from St. Joseph's, Tampa
Submitted by: Arlene McGannon
December has been an exciting month at St. Joseph's Hospitals in Tampa!
We have opened a beautiful BayCare Outpatient Pharmacy in the main hospital for use by our patients, team members and general public, providing a convenient place to fill prescriptions upon discharge, while visiting, or during work time. The pharmacy is located just between the Medical Arts Building and the hospital, just past the history display.
On December 6, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital blessed the beautiful Steinbrenner Children's Emergency & Trauma Center. It is an incredible place, where children will receive the latest and best care possible in the proud tradition of SJH. The new facility features 24 private patient rooms, including two trauma suites and six 'fast track' rooms, an abundance of kid-friendly decorations, and interactive activities to provide comfort, entertainment and distraction to children and families. St. Joseph's Children's Hospital has the busiest children's emergency room in the region, treating more than 45,000 children annually.
December 13 and 14 saw the 20th annual Mission Basket Event. This wonderful community service project matches team members in the various departments with needy families who have been served by the hospital during the year. The Medical Arts Building (MAB) auditorium is transformed into a world of displays and gifts to ensure a very Merry Christmas for those families, especially the children! This year we are doing a time-lapse video of the two-day event that will show the amazing build up of all the displays, the take down on Saturday morning, and the giveaway to the grateful families. We'll be sure to share it!
SJH is blessed with wonderful resources, generous donors and dedicated team members. From all of us to all of our dear founders, the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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 FROM THE ARCHIVES:
Our sisters have always loved to have fun! In this picture, circa 1950, some of our sisters can be seen playing in the snow with some students from St. Elizabeth Academy in Allegany, NY. The weather in the pictures looks a lot like the view from the Archives' window today!
The sisters in this photo are currently unidentified. If you have an idea as to who these mysterious women may be, please email the Archives at archives@fsallegany.org, or call (716) 373-0200 x3242.
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 Miami Associates
Submitted by: Lucy Cardet, OSF
The sisters and associates celebrated the 25th anniversary of the associates on the feast of Christ the King at St. Rose of Lima Church. Fr. Pedro Corces incorporated the commitment (new and renewal) of local associates and some from Royal Palm Beach that joined us with Sr. Joan Dawson.
The liturgy was beautiful and Fr.Pedro's homily was both touching and challenging. We were grateful for his testimony and for honoring and making a special place for our associates' commitment in the celebration.
The Associate Program DVD was shown after the Mass for those who wished to view it. The Filipino parishioners had a bake sale after the Mass to benefit the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines.
See more in the next edition of Allegany Connections.
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Peace and all good!
The Apostalic Exhortation
At the suggestion of Sr. Margaret Magee, I began to read Pope Francis' Apostalic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium last week. Although lengthy, coming in at over 200 pages, it is quite an engaging and thought-provoking read. Thankfully for us, we live in a time when information is easily shared and accessed and Pope Francis' work is no different. What makes this so wonderful is the thought that this piece can be shared worldwide in a manner of seconds thanks to modern technology, allowing the Worldwide Church to share in the Pope's message where once it would have been inaccessible to most laity.
I have included a link on the homepage of the website for this work, where it can be downloaded or printed. Additionally, this link will also direct you to the page on the Vatican website where it is hosted.
It is the hope of Sr. Margaret that those who read it may reflect on what about the piece speaks to you as an individual, or perhaps discuss it among your local groups and share with the wider congregation what the piece inspired within you.
If you wish to share your thoughts with us, please email myself, at denise.bunk-hatch@fsallegany.org, or Margaret, at mmagee@fsallegany.org.
Allegany Connections
Going into this new publication, one question that was on the minds of many was "What impact will this have on Allegany Connections?"
I am happy to say that Sr. Barbara Joseph will remain the primary caretaker of that congregational publication. Allegany Connections has been a treasured part of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany for many years and it is not our desire in any way to eliminate it.
Instead, Connections will be published quarterly beginning in 2014. It will be distributed in February, May, August, and November. While more time-sensitive materials will be included in the e-newsletter, longer pieces, pictoral features, eulogies and other items that do not require immediate publication will still be contained with Allegany Connections.
It is our hope to use the e-newsletter and Allegany Connections as complimentary pieces to further engage people in the ministries and mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.
Thank you all again for your excitement for this newsletter, and Merry Christmas!
Denise Bunk-Hatch, communications director
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