In this Issue:

Peak of the Week!

Welcome Sister Death

One Year Anniversary for Brian Lemoi

IASJ: Electric Cars & Human Rights

Jamaica Associate Joins Sister

at Mission Appeal

NC Associates Garden

Sr. Therese Joyce's Birthday Celebration!

Birthday Greetings

August 15

Relaxation Day

On August 15, take a day off from your daily routine, put your feet up and relax because it is Relaxation Day.

The origins of this holiday are unknown, though it is thought that the holiday began as National Slacker Day in Britain.

In the hustle bustle of their daily lives, most people often forget to slow down and take some time for themselves. This can create stress and other stress-related health issues like high blood pressure and heart problems.

Relaxation Day is a reminder that sometimes it is okay to take a deep breath, slow down and take it easy - not only does relaxation make you feel better about yourself, it can have long-term health benefits too!

August 31

Eat Outside Day

August 31 is Eat Outside Day. So, pack up a lunch, head on over to the park and commune with nature while you eat your meal under the Sun.

This unofficial holiday of unknown origins encourages eating outside as an excuse for people to go outdoors and take in some fresh air and enjoy some time under the Sun.

The day is also known as Eat Outdoors Day or National Eat Outside Day in the US.

Pack up a picnic lunch and enjoy it with family and friends in the park.

Or grill outside in the yard or take a portable grill to the park.

September 5

Cheese Pizza Day

September 5 is Cheese Pizza Day, a day to indulge in a slice (or two) of the classic and simple cheese pizza.

While the origins of this fun food holiday are unknown, we can all safely assume that it encourages people to pay homage to the humble but delicious pizza pie covered with only tomato sauce, seasonings and cheese.

Italian in origin, a pizza is a hearty dish made of rolled out dough topped with tomato, cheese, vegetables or meats, which is baked in an oven before being served. It is believed that the pizza as we know it today originated in Naples, Italy. A Traditional Speciality Guaranteed product in Europe, the Neapolitan pizza is made with tomatoes and Mozzarella cheese. This means that only pizzas made in Naples can be called Neapolitan pizza in the European Union and the rest of Europe.

To see where we found these fun holidays and check out more from around the world, visit: www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun

Born: Rita Anne Rothmeier, February 1, 1928, in Buffalo, NY

Died: July 18, 2023 at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY

Daughter of: Albert and Anna Marie McMullen Rothmeier, Buffalo, NY

Sr. Anne Rothmeier entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on September 8, 1952, was received into the Congregation on August 15, 1953, and professed her final vows on August 16, 1960. Committed to the Franciscan charism, Sister lived for 70 years as a devoted member of the Allegany Franciscan Sisters sharing her life in community and ministry.

She attended public elementary school, graduating from Mt. St. Joseph Academy in Buffalo, NY. Anne attended the Millard Filmore School of Nursing, Buffalo, NY, where she earned her certification as a registered nurse. Upon entering the Congregation, Sr. Anne ministered in Congregational Hospitals – St. Francis Hospital, Olean, NY, St. Clare and St. Anthony Hospitals in New York, NY.

A lifelong learner, Sr. Anne continued her education by attending Canisius College, Buffalo, NY; State University of New York, Buffalo, NY; St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, NY; St. John’s University, Queens, NY and New York University, New York, NY, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, followed by her Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

Her commitment to mutuality and standing with the poor and marginalized was realized through her 47 years in the nursing profession. In 1974, Sr. Anne participated in a “Study of the Health Care Resources available to the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker and Rural Poor” in Delaware. She worked at a Farm Labor Clinic for Migrant Workers in Pine Island, NY and the Delmarva Migrant Health Project in Delaware. Sr. Anne completed her nursing career in home health, offering care to patients in the comfort of their own home.

In 1999, Sr. Anne was a founding member of a “community supported agriculture endeavor”, which in 2002 became a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany known as Canticle Farm. Anne served as Director of Canticle Farm from 2001-2002. Her great appreciation for nature was apropos as she enjoyed her time at the farm, riding the tractor or tending to the crops and weekend trips to Mt. Irenaeus for mass, a meal and the company of friends.

She is predeceased by her parents, Albert and Anna Marie McMullen Rothmeier and a sister, Jean Marie Rothmeier Burke. She is survived by a nephew: Tony Burke and a grandniece, Sarah Burke of Bridgeport, CT; special family members: Tom (Meghan) Burke; their daughters Lara and Augusta Burke and Tom’s brothers: Tim, Pat and Mike.

A wake service is scheduled for Thursday, July 27th at 4:00PM in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00AM on Friday, July 28, 2023 in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, with Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, presiding. Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, New York. 

For condolences, please visit www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com

Born: Ellen Lambert, November 30, 1927, in Ardnaboy Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Died: July 21, 2023 at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY

Daughter of: Bernard and Julia Lambert, Ardnaboy, Hacketstown Co., Carlow, Ireland

Sr. Eileen entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on September 8, 1964; was received into the Congregation on July 2, 1965, and professed her final vows on August 28, 1971. She joyfully lived the Mission and Charism of the Franciscan Sisters for over 58 years.

She attended Rathmeque Elementary School in Co. Wicklow, Ireland and graduated from high school in Hacketstown, Co., Carlow. Prior to entering the Congregation, Sr. Eileen attended the Hollis Street Hospital Nursing Program, Dublin, Ireland, earning her certification as a registered nurse. She worked as a charge nurse at Sefton General Hospital, Liverpool, England and when coming to the United States, worked at Columbia Medical Center in New York City.  

Upon entering the Congregation, Eileen attended St. Elizabeth Teacher’s College, graduating from St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, NY with a Bachelor of Science in Education and later returned to St. Bonaventure to complete her Master’s Degree in Sacred Science.

Sr. Eileen ministered at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Tampa, FL, as a nursing supervisor, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY and St. Elizabeth Hospital in New York, NY. She served as Pastoral Minister at St. Vincent Hospital, New York, NY and as assistant local minister at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY.

In the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980’s, Sr. Eileen ministered with AIDS patients and was particularly known for her compassion with family members.

She retired in 2003 and continued to reside with her Sisters at St. Anthony’s Convent, New York, New York before her warm welcome home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse is 2015.

Sr. Eileen is blessed with a large Irish family. She is predeceased by her parents, Bernard and Julia Lambert; two sisters: Maura Kirk and Theresa O’Leary; three brothers: Bernard, Michael and John. She is survived by four brothers: Father Owen Lambert, C.S.Sp., Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Paddy, Hugh and Seamus Lambert; four sisters: Peigi Canavan, Kathleen Tyrell, Breda Brady, Marion Ascani and several nieces and nephews.

A wake service is scheduled for Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 4:00pm in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 10:00am in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse with Father Owen Lambert presiding.  Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, New York. 

For condolences, please visit www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com

Brian Lemoi last month celebrated his one-year anniversary of being the executive director of the Franciscan Center in Tampa. Staff members say they feel truly fortunate to have Brian as their leader, adding that they appreciate his knowledge, compassion, hospitality, and humor.

Sister Gloria Oehl has provided us with an update on the IASJ campaign for human rights in the electric car process: 

Along with the Investor Advocates for Social Justice (of which we are affiliates) we are working in the area of sustainable materials components through our ownership of shares in General Motors (GM).  

Currently, there is concern about the Lithium Americas mining project in Nevada (Thacker Pass involving indigenous land) in which GM invested $650 million. 

There are deep and complex global supply chains in the automotive industry, with up to 30,000 parts in a car. Human rights abuses, including forced labor or child labor may be present here and in global corporate operations. Meanwhile, both manufacturing and sales of cars are growing in emerging markets, where labor protections may be weaker. 

Companies have a responsibility to respect human rights throughout their operations and with business partners, as outlined in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

If you want to get more background on the issues involved in mining, labor rights and indigenous land, please visit their website http://iasj.org/.

See Shifting Gears – Part II-the EV Circular.

Jamaican FSA Associate Margaret Jarrett was at the Motherhouse in Allegany in July for the TAU Team meetings and to attend the Padua Program at St. Bonaventure University. Before returning to Jamaica, she and TAU Team member and Associate Mary Laubenthal had the pleasure of joining Sr. Barbara Bartkowiak, OSF, for a mission appeal and to hand out St. Elizabeth Mission Society leaflets to parishioners as they left the weekend Masses at St. Louis Church in Buffalo, NY. 

Also pictured, a young man looking at photos Sr. Barbara took while serving in Jamaica and Bolivia.

The Giving Garden started nine years ago in North Carolina and FSA Associates have been working in it since its inception. The purpose of the garden is to grow fresh vegetables to donate to the food pantry.

Jane DeJois has been running the food pantry, along with her husband Bob. However, Bob passed away last year from newly diagnosed cancer. But his memory will live on with the addition of a new shed, thanks to the generosity of the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. A sign on the shed reads “DeJois of Giving.”

The shed will house garden tools, chemicals, wheelbarrows and other items that are too large to store at the Outreach Center. The shed was delivered in April. Volunteers later painted it and fitted it with a ramp. 

North Carolina Associates are asking people to stop by the garden to check out the shed and all the lovely vegetables and flowers in the garden. They are currently harvesting green beans, peppers, carrots, and lettuce. Squash, okra, cucumbers, butter beans and long beans will be ready soon. This past spring, they harvested beautiful carrots, broccoli, onions, cabbage, and peas. 

Anyone who would like to join the Associates in the Giving Garden is welcome every Wednesday morning, rain or shine!

Pictured with the sign are Local Associate Minister Pam Socha and Jane DeJois. Pictured with the shed are garden volunteers, including Associate Rita Canfield in red.

Ask anybody who knows Sister Therese Joyce and they’ll tell you she is one of the most active residents at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany.

That may not sound like anything extraordinary unless you know that Sister Therese celebrated her 104th birthday on August 10. The party included a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, a huge cake, presents and lots of love from the Congregation, visiting relatives, friars from St. Bonaventure University, residents and staff of the Motherhouse.

After the singing of “Happy Birthday,” Sister Therese expressed her gratitude for not only the party but for everything people have done for her over the years.

“I could thank you a hundred thousand times and that wouldn’t be enough,” she said. 

You can read more on this story, and see more pictures, here: https://www.oleantimesherald.com/news/state-union-sister-at-st-elizabeth-motherhouse-celebrates-104th-birthday/article_dc8d12da-37c7-11ee-ace2-6b2238c144a6.html

Photos kindly provided by Sr. Lucy Cardet