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In this Issue:
Poetry from Our Sisters
News from Brazil
Associate Becomes Motherhouse Sacristan
Day of Reflection
Ceramic Bowls for Warming House
Associates Retreat in Jamaica
Anselm Moons Award
Under the Sea Gala
Gather the Wisdom, Weave a Dream
May Birthday List
Cards for Jubilarians
Send Us Your News
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We recently asked the Sisters to share their original poetry with us. Now, we’re going to share three of the many poems we received with you.
We will be sharing more in future newsletters.
Any Sister who would like to share her poetry may still send it to anne.holliday@fsallegany.org or
Anne Holliday, PO Box W, St. Bonaventure, NY, 14778
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Meditation
By: Janet Sullivan, OSF (2007)
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I stand in the midst of gracious woods
Intrigued by silence and awesome sound;
Captured by darkness and strands of light,
My soul is absorbed and held spellbound.
Oh glorious humble stalwart trees--
Generous, kindly, nourishing trees,
Your presence inspires great reverence,
In one who thorough this wood proceeds.
Leaves, dried and fragrant beneath my step,
Crunch, crackle and croak in euphony--
Simple language, delighting my soul
Like strains of a treasured symphony.
A waterfall sings, the birds compete;
The breeze: a delicate harmony,
Maneuvering boldly though the trees,
Communes as if by telepathy.
The flowers bloom, some hide in the shade,
And berries dance on a limber bush;
A deer peers out from behind a tree,
Then runs headlong for the underbrush.
A spider disputes the web she wove;
Ingesting the strands, she weaves anew;
Noble is she in doing that which
Only her like is equipped to do.
Heaven and earth unite in this wood;
Wisdom enfolds it in her embrace,
Making its creatures charming and good,
Beautiful and abounding in grace.
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By: Margaret Foley, OSF April 2024 | |
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My Reflections of Receiving a Diagnosis of Autism at the Age of 50:
After spending 50 years searching for the perfect dress, I finally found the right dress that seemed specifically tailored made by the Designer for me, when I tried it on in the fitting room.
The dress complemented my body in its design, length and color. It’s as if the Designer knew me so well. It took me 50 years of trying on various dresses in various styles to realize that the right dress was the true me all along.
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A Reflection of God
By: Rose Bernhardt, OSF
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The brush outside the window
captures attention daily
as it displays its red blossoms
dancing to the rhythm of the wind
portraying God’s creative beauty.
A shelter and place of refuge
for birds who sing songs of praise
to their Creator for all to hear,
and to the delight of the listener.
The colorful blossoms an
enticement to busy bees
gathering pollen for making
a sweet delight for lovers of honey.
Also attracted are beautiful fluttering
butterflies who for a brief moment
light on the green bush
before once again taking flight.
The bush outside the window
at times comes alive with song.
A beauty with radiant color
displays the dance of creation.
All speaks of the wonder of our God!
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Sisters is Brazil held an Assembly at the Marvelous Mother Convent from April 19-21. The Assemblies are communal spaces of prayer, discernment, evaluation, and decision regarding the congregation's walk.
On the last day, the chapter planning team of the Region of Brazil presented the theme of Chapter 2024: "Christ-Centered Women: Pilgrims of Hope.” They also introduced the slogan “Go and rebuild my house.”
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Also, from April 26-28 three sisters went on a vocational mission to Rio Verde, Diocese of Jata Miss-GO, in preparation for the ordination of Wesley, Missionary of the Holy Family. Sisters Iosita, Maria Jose and Edir were present. The missionaries stayed in the homes of families from three parishes. Children, teens, youth, adults, and families took part. They were rich moments of sharing with the people and among religious people. | |
FSA Associate Becomes
Motherhouse Sacristan
By: Mary Laubenthal, Associate
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Shortly after Donna Smith returned to the Allegany area, she began to participate in daily Mass at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. She also joined the Sisters for morning prayers.
Donna was soon invited to attend Associate meetings. This led to her desire to journey in the FSA Associate way of life. She was mentored in the history and charism of the Allegany Franciscan Sisters, the FSA Associate Program history and way of life and the lives and spirituality of saints Francis, Clare and Elizabeth and other aspects of Franciscan values and focus. She made her First Commitment in October 2023.
When a new sacristan was needed for the Motherhouse, Donna was approached to see if she would be interested in filling the role. She discerned and said yes to this call because she considered it a privilege. Donna has said that she is grateful for the guidance of past Sister sacristans and the friars who come to celebrate liturgy and is very comfortable knowing that they are there for her. Donna has stated she is happy to have found a wonderful family community.
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The Tampa Bay Associates were gifted with a Day of Reflection on April 27 from Sr. Cathy Cahill. The topic was "Nurturing A Franciscan Heart." | |
Ceramic Bowls for Warming House Anniversary | | |
Sister Melissa Scholl set up a mini ceramics studio in St. Elizabeth Motherhouse recently. Not only was it an enjoyable activity for all the participants, but Sister Melissa also said it was done in support of the St. Bonaventure University Warming House 50th anniversary. | |
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She adds, “Community participation is a trend here at St. E’s in Allegany.” | |
Associates Retreat in Jamaica
By: Paula Lyn, Local Associate Minister, Tampa Bay Associate Community
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The Associates of Jamaica were invited to join in a spiritual journey with
co-directors, Sr. Colleen Brady and Linda Dees.
It was a sunny afternoon in Kingston when the Associates, the Franciscan Sisters and guests gathered at Immaculate Conception Convent.
After the introductions, Sr. Grace Yap asked to say a few words.
“I am impressed that you are looking for something deeper. No matter where your search leads, I hope that you will continue on this spiritual journey,” she said.
Thank you to the Sisters at Immaculate for being in attendance and telling us how much they support and appreciate the Associates.
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Later, Sr. Colleen and Linda brought us into a Transformative Journey. We were later joined by Congregational Councilor Sr. Gwen Melhado, who shared and embraced this journey with the Associates.
Early the following morning, we travelled to Montego Bay -- a beautiful three hour drive.
We arrived at Mt. Alvernia Convent where we were welcomed by the Compassionate Franciscan Sisters of the Poor.
The second Transformative Journey Retreat began. It was attended by two Associates from the Diocese of Montego Bay and seven of the Sisters in Residence at Mt. Alvernia Convent. The weekend was busy, awesome, and spirit-filled, with praying, sharing and new connections. At 8:00 the following morning, we headed back to Kingston.
Thanks to the Sisters at ICC and Mt. Alvernia for embracing us and sharing the
Associates Mission and core values. This is simply the beginning of a vision realized.
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Franciscan Mission Service:
Anselm Moons Award
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Sisters Margaret Mary Kimmins and Cathy Cahill were recently in Washington, DC, to accept on behalf of FSA the Anselm Moons Award presented by Franciscan Mission Service. Besides offering their time and talents on the FMS board Sisters support the organization financially. FMS also noted that while the congregation is changing, it’s been humbling and inspiring to see how the Sisters have continued to accompany the people of Jamaica and remain flexible in their ministry. | |
You can watch the awards presentation at the World Care Benefit by following this link. | | |
The presentation to FSA, and speeches by Sisters Margaret Mary and Cathy are about an hour into the recording. | |
Sisters Jo Streva, Marlene Weidenborner, Dolores O’Brien and Pat Shirley attended the St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation Under the Sea gala, which raised $387,000 for the hospital. | |
Gather the Wisdom, Weave a Dream
by: Ted Dunn
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Gather the Wisdom, Weave a Dream is a resource for leaders and planners who wish to guide their faith communities through the turbulent waters of deep change and transformation. It is for communities at a crossroads who can no longer go on as they have in the past, yet do not wish to simply care for their remaining members, settle their affairs, and come to “completion.” It is for those who wish to discern a deeper invitation at these Graced Crossroads and create a vision for the future that is truly transformative, one that promises to bring forth new meaning and purpose to the lives of their members. | |
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This book o:ers an approach to visioning that is novel, one that includes and yet transcends conventional planning methods. It is an approach integrally connected to the soulwork I believe is too often neglected but nonetheless essential for the successful transformation of persons and communities. This work is an e:ort to directly connect the outer work of change with the inner work of transformation.
While faith communities resonate with the idea of transformation and possibilities for new life, little is written on how to go about it. Although I have long cautioned communities that there are no formulaic solutions for such transformative endeavors, neither are we completely at a loss with what to do. There are universal principles and processes known to be involved in both personal and communal transformation. And there is an array of possible approaches that has proven to be successful, as well as a host of pitfalls that
ought to be avoided.
It is the application of these principles and processes that has yet to be sufficiently spelled out and this book aims to address this gap. I will put forth ideas, guidelines, and concrete examples as departure points to help leaders and planners create their own approach. Each community will need to creatively draw upon and tailor these ideas to fit their unique circumstances. The material provided will give leaders and planners the working
knowledge they will need to maximize the possibility of personal, communal, and systemic transformation.
This book is meant to be a resource, not some kind of blueprint for transformation. There is no such thing. I do not presume to think that what I am o:ering is the only way to approach visioning or communal transformation. However, this is one way I have used and evolved over the years that I have found to be highly e:ective. The communities who I have accompanied, and who have engaged in this work, have found it to be integral to their larger
e:orts to transform their lives and birth a new way of being.
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Cards for Jubilarians
By Laura Whitford, St. Elizabeth Mission Society
Help the Jubilee Sisters "celebrate their journey" with a special Jubilee Mass enrollment card from the St. Elizabeth Mission Society. As members of the Mission Society, their intentions will be remembered at Masses celebrated throughout the year in the Motherhouse Chapel. As always, they will also share in the prayers and good works of our Sisters in Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica, Mozambique and the United States.
As a sponsored ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, the St. Elizabeth Mission Society shares in its spiritual aims, one of which is to advance the awareness of God's love. Donations given for the cards are used to support the ministries of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and their Associates who work to educate, heal, clothe, feed and be present for those who are experiencing poverty in Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica, Mozambique and the United States.
Jubilee cards, as well as various other enrollment cards, can be ordered online at https://www.franciscanhope.org/shop/ or you can call the Mission Society office at (716) 373-1130 or e-mail the staff at StEliz.Office.Manager@FSAllegany.org for more information about ordering the enrollment cards. Jubilee cards will also be available in the Mission Society office.
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We Want to Hear From You! | |
We would love to include more news from Brazil, Bolivia, Jamaica and Mozambique in our newsletter. If you have any pictures, tidbits of information or bigger stories you’d like to share please email them to
FSA Communications Coordinator
Anne Holliday anne.holliday@fsallegany.org
If you have any questions about whether it’s something that could or should go in this newsletter, you can ask Anne about that, too. But she’ll probably say, “Yes, send it.” 😊
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Newsletter Content Submission Deadline:
May 27th Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - May 24th
June 10th Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - June 7th
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