This was taken from an email sent by Sr. Maria Abadia da Silva, OSF, marking the celebration of a group of missionaries (pictured) preparing to leave for Guinea Bissau, Africa. 

   On behalf of the Regional Leadership and all the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany I want to tell you that it is always a joy and a privilege to have you in our midst as witnesses and people committed to the Mission of God, and I desire that you take the missionary zeal wherever you go. You are always welcome here. 

   I think it fitting you have chosen this liturgical season for the mission in Guinea Bissau. Your time will be crowned through the action of the Holy Spirit and the church will be enriched by your missionary work.

   In this Liturgical season, the Church celebrates two special feasts that have a remarkable imprint to the mandate of Christ to proclaim the Gospel beyond borders. Next Sunday we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord that reminds us of Jesus ministry here on earth. He calls the eleven Apostles to give continuity to the mission he received from God, Matthew 28:18-20.

   On Sunday the 8th of June, the feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the birth of the Missionary Church. A Feast of the infusion of the gifts of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. These simple men, fearful and timid, received the Holy Spirit with courage, transforming power, anointing, and willing to be sent to announce and spread the Gospel in all parts of the world.

   The Mission is of Christ, and Christ is the one who sends. We are only collaborators of the grace of God to be sent. To be sent is cause for celebration, because when one missionary is sent,she or he leaves their geographical home, but also their community assumes the missionary cause and follows the missionary in spirit. So we are praying for you here today, witnessing the desire you have to be messengers of Christ to the people of the diocese in Guinea Bissau.

    "The mission is made with the feet of those who run and we pray that your hands will be the hands of help." So many people are with you!

    At the World Youth Day, Pope Francis called more than three million pilgrims and, in particular, the youth, saying, "It takes courage to bring the values of the Church to areas where people are indifferent to religion." The Pope stressed repeatedly the subject of the journey. Be attentive! Jesus did not say "if you want, if you have time." Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all nations."

    To you who are sent by the Church, for us here present, believe in the power of prayer, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and the protection of Mary, Star of the New Evangelization. "I am with you always, until the end of time." (Matthew 28:20)

We seldom know the impact our smile or giving a few minutes of attention will have upon others. The VP for Mission at St Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Arlene McGannon, recently received a letter telling about the impact and presence Sister Maria Pereira dos Santos had. As the writer points out, Maria's community, the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, are part of the being "Sister" with Maria.

(Taken from a letter sent to Arlene McGannon)

   My name is Maria, and I want to take this opportunity to compliment Sister Maria P. Dos Santos.   

   I first met her a few months ago, when I attended Holy Mass on a Thursday at Saint Joseph Hospital North, on Van Dyke in Lutz, FL. At that moment, I was not aware that she is a religious Sister, until she said "hello" with a beautiful smile and eventually approached me to ask me if everything was okay, even through she did not know who I was or what I was going through.  I believe Sister Maria saw me praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament at the hospital's Chapel after Mass. On that day, I was distraught due to a very serious family/personal situation. But Sister Maria was there. She kindly took the time to give me words of comfort, hope, faith, and trust in Our Lord Jesus. I am convinced that God sent her to me at the right moment and gave her the right words for me.

   Since then, I have seen Sister Maria several other times before or after Mass, and every single time she kindly gives that warm "hello" and that beautiful smile not only to me, but to everyone who enters the Chapel. 

   This is more than a heartfelt compliment to Sister Maria. This is a huge "Thank you" to her and her Community for treating every person as a child of God, for taking the time to listen and to care, and even go the extra mile and taking the time to give the right advice or extend a kind word. The good that God has done to me through Sister Maria can never be rightly expressed with words, and can never be humanly repaid. A huge "Thank you" to Sister Maria with all my heart for all the above and for the assurance of her prayers. We definitely need more "Sister Maria's" in this self-centered world!  

   Please let Sister Maria know how much her kind help and words meant to me.   Please feel free to contact me at any time. May God bless you and your wonderful Mission, and have a wonderful day!  

Sincerely, 

Maria L. 

Profession: Prison ministry coordinator for Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Camden, N.J. 

Sr. Camille: Mary Lou, when you assumed the role of prison ministry coordinator for Catholic Charities in the Camden diocese in September 2013, the executive director of Catholic Charities, Kevin Hickey, issued the following statement:

"Catholic Charities is thrilled to have Sister Mary Lou join our hope-filled community. Sister Mary Lou brings a varied background to her work with prison ministry and that variety of experience is so helpful to us in the difficult work which we undertake."

What constitutes the variety of experience to which Mr. Hickey referred?

Lafferty: From 2000 to 2012, I served my congregation in leadership, both congregational and regional. Prior to this ministry, I was involved in the field of education and held positions in Catholic school offices as assistant superintendent in the diocese of Paterson, N.J., and the archdiocese of Boston, as well as principal in many dioceses, among them being here in the Camden diocese at St. Agnes School in Blackwood.

   The Tampa Bay Healthcare Collaborative and the Wellness Council of Tampa Bay are hosting their second annual health and wellness conference entitled "Behavior Change: Integrating Mind, Body & Spirit". This full-day conference will be held at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillion Park on Wednesday, June 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

   Conference attendees will learn more about the behavior change theory and how integrating the mind, body and spirit can help individuals make lasting changes. Conference registration is $30 per person and includes event admission, lunch, materials and resources. Click on the following links for additional information: event flyer and program at-a-glance.  

   Register to attend the conference at:  https://behaviorchangeconference.eventbrite.com

   Please contact Carrie Hepburn of the Tampa Bay Healthcare Collaborative with any questions at [email protected] or (727) 812-4952.