September 25, 2023

In this Issue:

St. Francis Week

Prayers for Friars

Next Steps for Alba Luz

IASJ & Laudato Si'

Cleanup at Franciscan Center

New Lab at St. Joe's

Fr. John O'Connor

Birthday Greetings

Visit Our Website

Donate

St. Francis Week Celebrations at Motherhouse & SBU

Sisters and staff at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, along with friars and staff at St. Bonaventure University, are planning many activities to celebrate Francis Week.

Tuesday, Dr. Don Haas will present the lecture “Fear is Our Best Hope: Moving from Climate Anxiety to Climate Action.” His talk will start at 4 p.m. in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on campus.

Wednesday evening the movie “The Letter: A Message for Our Earth” will be shown in the McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministry. The movie tells the story of a journey to Rome of frontline leaders to discuss the encyclical letter Laudato Si’ with Pope Francis.

At 4 p.m. October 3 in the Motherhouse Chapel will be Evening Prayer: Transitus of St. Francis. Then at 7 p.m. in Doyle Chapel will be Transitus of St. Francis, followed by a reception. The Doyle Chapel Transitus celebration will be live-streamed. The ritual celebrates St. Francis’ passage from earthly life and death to everlasting glory.

At 7 a.m. October 4 there will be a morning prayer in the Motherhouse Chapel to commemorate the Feast of St. Francis, followed by a Mass celebrated by Father David Couturier.

At 1:15 p.m. October 4 will be a blessing of the animals (pictures from Sisters and staff) in the Motherhouse Conference Room. The blessing of animals on campus will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the fountain outside the McGinley-Carney Center.

At 4 p.m. a Mass will be celebrated in Doyle Chapel. This will also be live-streamed.

The university has several other events planned, including a Day of Service on Saturday. Among the volunteering opportunities from which students are asked to choose are cleaning stones at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Mt. Irenaeus fall cleanup, and working at The Warming House or with BonaResponds.

Both the Motherhouse and university have feasts planned for October 4 in their respective dining areas.

Please keep in prayer all our friars and their upcoming Chapter, which begins on Oct 16. May the Holy Spirit guide their conversations and decisions as they come together as the U.S. Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Sr. Alba Luz Taking Next Steps

Congregational Leadership is pleased to share the decision made, together with Sr. Lucy Cardet as Formation Director, regarding the next steps in the Novitiate process for Sr. Alba Luz Mejia Solis.

Alba Luz has completed her canonical novitiate and will continue her second year of novitiate in St. Petersburg, Florida, joining the local community of St. Anthony of Padua Convent. The second-year novitiate is a time of continued integration, ministry, and spiritual growth. During this year, Sr. Jo Streva will serve as mentor for Alba Luz.

We affirm and support Alba Luz’s desire to continue in this formative process. May God bless and guide her in this journey of faith and commitment to religious life.

Update from Investor Advocates for Social Justice

Sr. Gloria Oehl says, "As we are still in the Season of Creation, I am sending an excerpt from our Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ) August 2023 Newsletter."

In the encyclical Laudato Si', Pope Francis speaks of the interconnectedness of all creation. The climate crises we witness, especially in vulnerable lands, is not just an assault on nature but a profound injustice to our friends who have lived in harmony with these lands for generations. Indigenous communities and marginalized people of color bear the brunt of a crisis they did little to create.

Investors, both individual and institutional, wield a significant amount of power in dictating the direction of global economies. By championing racial equity, indigenous rights, and decolonized green investments, we can influence corporate choices. However, with the rise of anti-ESG and anti-woke sentiments, it's crucial for investors to view environmental, social, and governance aspects as paramount, forging a transformative path forward. Being woke signifies intellectual curiosity, emotional insight, and enlightenment—qualities paramount in our era of change and challenge. Humanity must mature, societies progress, and democracies emerge as refined beacons of justice and peace for all.

Both Pope Francis and [Ta-Nehisi] Coates, in their unique voices, beckon us towards a world where reverence for the natural world and justice for its inhabitants are inseparable. Investors are invited to see beyond just profit, suggesting that corporations place communities at the forefront, and reminding everyone of the value of our shared home.

The heat dome, the fires, the rising tides – these are not just climatic events but messages, urging us to shift our paths. As we stand at this crossroads, let us be inspired by the wisdom of indigenous communities, the passion of marginalized voices, and the teachings of our religious, spiritual, and social justice leaders. It's a call to rebuild, not just our economies, but the very essence of our shared humanity. With mutual respect and unity, let us stride towards a livable future together.

Hurricane Cleanup at The Franciscan Center

Fifty-eight eighth grade students from St. Lawrence Catholic School worked hard last week cleaning the gardens at The Franciscan Center in Tampa after the debris left by Hurricane Idalia.

These amazing students are led by Nicholas Szmyt, Campus Minister, Brian Gomez, Youth Faith Formation, Marie Medof, Echo Apprentice, Ms. Zambito, Ms. Horvat, and chaperone moms Cristina and Denise.

St. Joseph's Hospital Opens New Lab

In collaboration with St. Joseph's Hospital's Heart and Vascular Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation in Florida recently celebrated the grand opening of its new cutting-edge Catheterization and Electrophysiology Lab.

This advanced facility further solidifies the institute’s standing as one of the nation's premier cardiovascular hospitals.

Anniversary for Fr. John O'Connor

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October 9th Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - October 6th

October 23rd Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - October 20th

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