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Quick Links
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Allegany Franciscans Website
FSA Jamaica Website
UPCOMING MEETINGS
CL Meetings
February 12-13
March 6-7
Franciscan-Clarian Spirituality
February 21-24
FSA Board of Directors Meeting
March 16-23, Brazil
Assemblies
Allegany - April 7-8
NJ/Easton, PA - April 20, 21, 22 Brazil - April 20, 21, 22
Tampa - April 28, 29
Jamaica - May 5, 6
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Issue 6.03
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February 12, 2018
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Ash Wednesday (February 14)
Return to God with your whole heart!
As we receive ashes on our forehead today, let the cry of Joel echo within our hearts. This returning begins with a desire to have our hearts transformed by love, God's love and goodness.
This journey leads inward and responds outward.
Let us be drawn to our Center, Christ, where the living God dwells in us. This inward journey calls us to be attentive to areas of our strengths and resources, areas of light and darkness, areas of fragmentation and woundedness which silently cry out for healing and wholeness.
It is in this vulnerable place that we are called to be still, to calm our minds and souls, and to be attentive to the presence of Divine Love. It is in this vulnerable, silent space that our hearts, our very being, can be made whole and unite in love with Love and with one another. Home in God's Love, we become love for others.
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Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in Brazil Welcome Two New Candidates
We, the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, celebrate the reception of our Sisters Cleise Canté and Eloênia Soares da Mota into the novitiate. The celebration took place at Convento Mãe Admirável, Anápolis, Brazil. Cleise and Eloênia, may God show you the way! Let us hold them both in our thoughts and prayers.
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Franciscan Center Renovations
By: Sr. Anne Dougherty OSF, President, Franciscan Center, Tampa
As Saint Francis said, "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
For 47 years the Franciscan Center has continued to be a positive impact in the community, developing new emerging partners and programs. We have welcomed over 4,500 guests
for
our Team and Hosted retreats
.
Programs include
Conscious Contact
Retreats
for women and men,
Emmaus Retreats
for women and men, silent meditation retreats, and so many more groups that come annually to this beautiful and peaceful setting along the Hillsborough River.
Over the last two years, thanks to your generosity, we were able
to renovate
several bedrooms
.
These renovations included painting
, flooring, and window treatments. This year we set the
ambitious
goal of completing
the renovations
on all bedrooms and
replacing
hallway carpets. On behalf of our Board and
S
taff, thank you for your generous support of
this
important work!
A special thank you to Polson Painting, New Custom Floors, and The Carpet Store. We would also like to acknowledge Rooms To Go for their generous donation of 40 mattresses, box springs, and bed frames.
To view more photos of the renovations, click here.
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AFM Announced Board Appointments
By: Lise Landry Alives, Vice President of Operations
Allegany Franciscan Ministries is pleased to announce the appointment of Howard Watts as Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Emery Ivery as Vice Chairperson, and Sr. Joan Dawson OSF as Secretary. In addition, Laura Plotner, Trevor Banks and Sr. Nancy Chiarello, OSF have been elected to the Board of Directors; their terms started January 1, 2018.
The Allegany Franciscan Ministries Board of Directors is responsible for governing the affairs of the organization, stewarding its resources, establishing its policies and programs, and approving grants and other investments to community organizations.
"Allegany Franciscan Ministries is privileged to benefit from the leadership of these individuals on our board," said Eileen Coogan, Allegany Franciscan Ministries' President and CEO. "All have demonstrated their dedication and commitment to our ministry and meeting the needs of those who are marginalized and underserved in our communities."
Mr. Watts has more than 30 years' experience as a senior healthcare executive, was Executive Vice President at Catholic Health East, served as interim CEO for several hospitals and health systems, and has been a member of the Allegany Franciscan Ministries Board of Directors since 2011.
Mr. Ivery is the Tampa Bay Area President for United Way Suncoast and joined the Board of Directors in 2015 after serving on Allegany Franciscan Ministries' Tampa Bay Regional Commission since 2009; he currently serves on the Wimauma Council for the Common Good. Sr. Joan Dawson joined the Board of Directors in 2013, served on Allegany Franciscan Ministries' Palm Beach Regional Commission from 2005 - 2015, and now serves on the Palm Beach Grants Committee.
Ms. Plotner served on Allegany Franciscan Ministries' Tampa Bay Regional Commission from 2012 - 2015 and has been on the Tampa Bay Grants Committee since 2015. She brings extensive financial knowledge and expertise, and will chair the Stewardship Committee. Trevor Banks has served on the Lincoln Park Council for the Common Good since 2015 and has a keen understanding of the community. His vision is to afford youth the opportunity to realize their goals. Sr. Nancy Chiarello's passion for those who are marginalized resulted in her being identified by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany as a top candidate to represent the congregation on the Allegany board.
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The Sultan and the Saint on DVD
By: Margaret Magee OSF
For more than a year, Franciscan Action Network (FAN) has worked to promote the film The Sultan and the Saint, which is a powerful depiction of Muslim-Christian encounter as told through the story of St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt. Now, FAN is happy to announce the DVD of the film is ready for purchase and you can download a discussion guide to use with groups.
To cover the cost of shipping, FAN is asking for a $25 donation for each DVD. Your tax deductible donation helps continue the mission of FAN to bring a Franciscan voice to Capitol Hill and across the U.S. on important issues like interfaith dialogue and peace building.
To pay online using a credit card, click this link to be taken to the contribution page.
In the "Designation" drop down menu, be sure to choose "Sultan and the Saint DVD and Guide."
To pay by check, please make it out to Franciscan Action Network and write "Sultan and Saint DVD" in the memo line. We will mail the DVD to you.
Send check payments to:
Franciscan Action Network
P.O. Box 29106
Washington, DC 20017
For more information go to the FAN website at:
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 It is Pardoning that we are Pardoned
By: Marita Flynn OSF
The following is the 11th in a series of reflections by the Franciscan-Clarian Spirituality Committee on the Peace Prayer of St. Francis. These reflections will be shared in future editions of the e-newsletter.
The perfection of God and the quality of mercy are almost synonymous.
Mercy is the outpouring to others of God's gift of mercy that we have experienced. It helps us to manifest compassion, care, and concern for every human being. The more we express ourselves as merciful individuals, the more fully we can experience God's abundant love.
The one who knows mercy, especially in the form of forgiveness (pardon), promotes a sense of serenity and confidence to those in their presence. Such a person stands in contrast to the one who is vengeful. Let us learn to forgive, heartfelt pardon given and received is always an act of Divine mercy.
1
St. Francis most certainly was known for his great love for all. During the latter years of his life while on retreat at Monte Verna, he received the holy wounds of the Stigmata. He was suffering greatly and the brothers decided to take him to San Damiano so that he could be cared for by Clare and her sisters. After a while he continued his journey and even in his weakness and pain he did not deny himself to the people. When he did speak, he could only utter a few words which have been included for our inspiration.
"Love God... Remember that Jesus redeemed you... Revere His altars where He gives you Himself... Learn His peace and let it possess your hearts... Never covet, forgive those who hurt you and win your enemy's friendship... Turn away from sin... Praise God for the world He has made."
2
Resources used: 1. Michael H. Crosby, O.F.M. (deceased), "Spirituality of the Beatitudes," Orbis Books, 1991, 2. E.M. Almedingen, "St. Francis of Assisi-A Great Life In Brief," Alfred A. Knopf, 1967.
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Upcoming deadlines:
Submissions are not guaranteed publication. All submissions will be edited prior to inclusion,
and may be held for future use if deemed appropriate.
February 21, 2018 - Second edition February e-newsletter
March 1, 2018 - Spring edition
Allegany Connections
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