In this Issue:

Renodin Foundation Breakfast

"Pilgrim of God"

Motherhouse Halloween Bash

St. Joe's South Halloween

NC Associates Soup Kitchen

NC Hurricane Follow-up

Remembering Our Deceased

St. Anthony's Christmas Share

Shower for Mary

November Birthday List

Send Us Your News

Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Foundation

Grant Recipient Breakfast

Last week the Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Foundation held its first Grant Recipient Breakfast since 2019 to showcase the good work that’s being done in local communities, thanks to funds provided by the foundation.

Laura Whitford, president of the foundation, said, “This event has always been a wonderful way for our Sisters to hear about the work being done in their name in this community and also a time for our guests to meet the Sisters.”

Pictured Left: Board Chair Paul Pezzimenti &

Foundation President Laura Whitford

Whitford told the guests about Dr. Renodin’s history with the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany: The Sisters had taught him in Croghan, New York, and he never forgot their kindness to him and his family. After he became an accountant, he worked with them on their finances with his vision being instrumental in establishing a retirement fund for the Sisters. So, when the Sisters were forming this foundation with the proceeds from the sale of St. Francis Hospital, they felt it was fitting to honor their longtime friend by naming the foundation after him. I had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Renodin in my time here. He used to attend the breakfast and occasionally our board meetings. I remember that he was always in awe of the amount of work we could do in our community with what was a relatively small amount of funds.

Dr. Renodin passed away November 8, 2023, at the age of 95. 

Since 2002, the foundation has awarded 534 grants, totaling $1,545,000 to 90 organizations in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties in New York, and McKean County in Pennsylvania, that improve the quality of life for people experiencing poverty and marginalization through food, shelter and basic needs. This year the foundation has provided $75,000, 32 grants. Six of the agencies receiving funding are new. Representatives from 22 agencies attended the breakfast.

Representatives who spoke about the impact the grants had on their organizations were Captain Megan Moretz of The Salvation Army, Edna Kayes of the Allegany County Mental Health Association Youth Compeer Program, Kim Connell of the Cattaraugus County Department of Aging Meals on Wheels Program, and Alice Miller Nation of St. Bonaventure University’s The Warming House, one of the oldest student-run soup kitchens in the country, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Nation said The Warming House was founded as a drop-in center for lonely adults but after the first group of students began the work there, they told Fr. Dan Riley, “We can do more.” They did, and it quickly evolved into a soup kitchen that serves one hot meal a day to the homeless, hungry and marginalized.

Connell shared a story of a woman who lives in a nearly inaccessible home and has several medical problems and obstacles she’s dealing with. Meals on Wheels was able to provide her with quantities of nutritional supplements like Boost and Ensure to make sure she doesn’t go hungry.

To end the breakfast, those gathered said the St. Francis Peace Prayer.

"Pilgrim of God"

By: Terezinha de J. Oliveira, OSF

“Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

... Fillet of a fenny snake,

In the cauldron boil and bake;

Eye of newt and toe of frog,

Wool of bat and tongue of dog,

Adder’s fork and blind-worm’s sting,

Lizard’s leg and owlet’s wing,

For a charm of powerful trouble,

Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.”

(Macbeth)

Night was falling heavy on the sprawling Haunted House on the hill. Ghosts and Ghouls, Witches and Warlocks were assembling for their annual convening. From my perch outside an open window, I could see strange things. There were all manner of beings inside: scarecrows, butterflies, Christmas gnome, pizza heads, handsome pirate, cute pumpkin, clown, a pi nerd, a mouse (such a tasty treat), a wizard, devils, angels, cats, an evil princess, an ice cream cone, little Bo Peep (without her sheep) the grim reaper, and myriad undefined “other-worldly beings” and manifestations.

The “cauldron bubble” offered a delectable selection of morsels conjured up from the wizardry of the Haunted House staff: spooky eggs, mummy wrapped dogs, webbed tacos, zombie pudding, a charcuterie board (ooh la-la) and so much more; a variety of witch’s brew wound its way through the assemblage offered by a hostess with a smile and a bouffant hair style to die for (a true Golden Girl)!

Next there was a grand parade to see who sported the prettiest, the ugliest, the scariest, the most creative attire, with winners receiving a prize. And if all of the above was not enough, there was a ritual pumpkin passing contest to see who would be “the last ghost or ghoul standing” to claim a prize when the music stopped! Phew, that was nail biting!!! One last event capped the night of good food and drink, easy banter and friendly laughter. One “other-worldly being” got to take home a prize if he or she had a lucky placemat. What a full night of fun with no mayhem – and that’s no Hocus-Pocus. 

The witching hour arrived. Without a word, as if by magic, the brooms were revved up and readied for departure into the dreamy, misty October night as all bid “farewell and goodnight” until they would meet again. I fluffed up my feathers and flew homeward bound into the night sky as well, with hopeful anticipation for the next convening.

Kudos to the “Coven Committee”: Melissa, Barbara, Mary Ellen and Mary Lou who worked their magic in creating and organizing this event. (I can’t wait to see what’s next!)

St. Joseph's South Halloween

NICU Boo Crew

The St. Jospeh’s Hospital-South “Boo Crew” cares for the littlest pumpkins, who were dressed for Halloween this year.

The NICU tells us that you should always place your little ones on their backs to sleep, with nothing else in the crib. These NICU babies have special circumstances and are monitored 24/7 by the skilled nursing team. The NICU team (FSA Communications Team) appreciates and thanks the parents of babies pictured here for their consent to dress up and photograph their little pumpkins.

North Carolina Associates

"Soup to Go"

"Soup to Go" sponsored by the Brunswick Homeless Coalition was held on Nov 2, 2024. Many North Carolina Associates belong to and help this very worthy cause. 

Pictured, from left, Lyn Boulter, Pam Socha, Joe Stanton (President of the Coalition) Jay Boulter, Ellen Nash, Janet Shirdon.

North Carolina Hurricane Follow-up

As we told you in our last newsletter, St. Elizabeth Motherhouse Maintenance Director John Bhe and Driver/Librarian Mike Pennington made a trip to Burnsville, North Carolina, to deliver donations to people impacted by Hurricane Helene. They received so many donations, though, that they couldn’t fit everything into one load in their truck and trailer.

Last weekend, they were able to make a return trip and delivered food, dog food, baby formula, cleaning supplies and 16 heaters.

Amanda McCurry Austin, who they met on their first trip, wrote, “You are the best! We are so thankful you folks are keeping us in mind and in prayers. We need all we can get.

“This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon and, without you wonderful people, it would be difficult to get through this.

“Remember, if y’all ever need, WE’RE COMING!”

John noted that although the people he met in North Carolina are doing OK, they still need help. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper says damage is estimated at $53 billion, the largest in state history. About $168.4 million in FEMA Individual Assistance funds have been paid so far to Western North Carolina disaster survivors and more than 226,000 people have registered for Individual Assistance. More than 7,100 people have been helped through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance. About 4,000 people still have no power.

Officials in North Carolina say more than 1,750 first responders – as well as volunteers – from 39 states have been to Western North Carolina to help in various ways. 

Remembering Our Deceased Sisters

In extending the tradition of remembering the deceased this time of year, this month in the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse Chapel, all the sisters who have passed on during the past 12 months will be honored.

They are Sr. Janet Finley, OSF, Sr. Elaine Bane, OSF, Sr. Marli Pimenta Porto, OSF, Sr. Mary Angela DiCara, OSF, Sr. Nancy Maria Coelho, OSF, Sr. Helen Lodge, OSF, Sr. Harriet Hamilton, OSF, Sr. Marigene Kennedy, OSF, Sr. Rosemarie Kolmer, OSF.

St. Anthony's Hospital

Christmas Share Program

By: Rebecca Prado, Coordinator of Mission, St. Anthony’s Hospital

The spirit of giving is alive and well at St. Anthony's as the Christmas Share program gears up for another successful year. This heartwarming Mission initiative, that I lead, allows departments and team members to adopt families in need during the holiday season.

In 2023, the program saw remarkable participation, with more than 30 St. Anthony’s Hospitals departments contributing to the cause. More than 30 children from the St. Anthony's team benefitted, along with more than 65 children from the community. Notably, the program supported two families from Family Promise of Pinellas County, nine families from Directions of Giving, and ten families from Catholic Charities, spreading holiday cheer to many.

This year, the Christmas Share program is scheduled for December 3, when departments bring their gifts in the morning. At noon there will be a blessing of the gifts and Team Members and organizations will be able to pick up their gifts in the afternoon. The excitement is already building. Almost 40 departments have stepped up to adopt families, and 34 families of team members will be supported, impacting more than 100 children. Additionally, the program will extend its reach by supporting 10 Catholic Charities families.

I oversee all the details for the Christmas Share program. I am so grateful for the overwhelming generosity of participants. We are incredibly thankful to everyone involved in making this program a success. All contributions truly make a difference in the lives of those in need, especially during the holiday season. This truly is one of the favorite responsibilities in my role.

St. Anthony's Christmas Share program exemplifies the spirit of community and compassion, reminding us all of the importance of giving back. As the holiday season approaches, the efforts of the dedicated staff continue to light up the lives of families in need, fostering joy and goodwill in the community. 

Whether through programs like the Christmas Share initiative or various community support efforts, our staff consistently demonstrates a willingness to lend a helping hand. The influence of the Sisters' mission is felt in the way our team collaborates, supports each other, and extends compassion to patients and their families.

As we carry forward the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany’s legacy, we are reminded of the profound impact that a giving spirit can have. It is through our collective efforts that we continue to honor their memory, ensuring that every person who enters our hospital feels the warmth of community and care.

Happy Birthday!

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.” 😊