In this Issue:

Welcome Sister Death

Socks for Jamaican Children

Award for St. Mary's Medical Center

Franciscan Center Homecoming

The Padua Program

Jubilee Celebration in Florida

Feast of St. Bonaventure

Associate Update: The TAU Team

Birthday Celebrations

Born: Gerarda Edith Cook, January 31, 1937, in Olean, NY

Died: July 9, 2023 at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY

Daughter of: Edward and Ida Kuhn Cook, Olean, NY

Sr. Gerarda entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on August 22, 1955; was received into the Congregation on August 15, 1956, and professed her final vows on August 16, 1963. She joyfully lived the Mission and Charism of the Franciscan Sisters for over 68 years.

Gerarda attended St. Mary of the Angels Grammar School and High School, Olean, NY, graduating in 1955. After entering the Congregation, Gerarda attended St. Elizabeth Teacher’s College, graduating from St. Bonaventure University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She received a Master of Science Degree in Education from Cortland State University, majoring in Social Studies and Minoring in Math.

Gerarda’s ministry enabled her to teach in Congregational Schools in Florida, New York, Connecticut and Virginia. Until the time of her retirement in 2013, Gerarda served as payroll/bookkeeper and local treasurer at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY, 

Sr. Gerarda is predeceased by her parents, Edward and Ida Kuhn Cook; five sisters: Virginia Drabant, Victoria Washington, Veronica Volz, Theresa Cook, Geraldine Hopkins; an uncle, Rev. Benjamin Kuhn, OFM, a Franciscan Friar, and two cousins: Srs. Alberta and Victoria Kuhn, RSM, Religious Sisters of Mercy.

She is survived by a brother-in-law, Robert Hopkins, nephews: Ronald, David, Dennis and Kevin Volz; Raymond and Alan Hopkins.

A wake service is scheduled for Friday, July 14, 2023 at 4:00pm in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 11:00am in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. 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

Sisters Nancy Chiarello and Margaret Mary Kimmins are living in Staten Island, NY, with the Presentation Sisters of Staten Island, who were sent from their Motherhouse in Ireland in 1884.  The Sisters have ministered in the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York, mostly in Staten Island. Their focus has been on elementary education.  

One of their sisters, Sr. Mary Michael French, has an annual fundraising appeal. This past year, Sister requested socks for children in Franciscan Sisters of Allegany Jamaican schools. She received more than 200 pairs of socks that were left at the convent then distributed to the children. The children then wrote very touching notes to Sr. Mary Michael telling her how much they appreciate the socks and wishing her well. 

After thanking Sr. Mary Michael and saying she hopes to meet her face to face someday, 4th-grader Latonya told her to “keep up the kindness.” She plans to do just that. This year, Sr. Mary Michael hopes to have a T-shirt drive for the little ones (sizes 4 to 8).

God bless and thank you, Sister Mary Michael! 

St. Mary's Medical Center is once again nationally recognized for its commitment to providing high-quality cardiovascular care.

St. Mary's Medical Center has received the American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines award for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.

As a participant in Get With the Guidelines programs, St. Mary's Medical Center qualified for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care.

Members of the Allegany contingent who are participating in St. Bonaventure University’s Padua Program gathered on campus for a picture with St. Francis, St. Clare and the Wolf of Gubbio.

The Padua Program helps Franciscan institutions and ministries transmit the values of Saints Francis and Clare to new generations of leaders.

The Padua Program was designed and directed three years ago by Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., former president of St. Bonaventure University; Fr. David B. Couturier, O.F.M. Cap., executive director of the Franciscan Institute; and Dr. Pauline Albert, a writer, researcher, teacher, and organizational specialist. It has educated four cohorts of participants from the fields of education, health care, social services and retreats.

To learn more about the Padua Program: https://www.sbu.edu/academics/academic-resources/franciscan-institute/programs-conferences/the-padua-program

On July 1, 2023, Sisters from the Tampa – St. Petersburg area gathered at St. Clare’s convent in Tampa, to celebrate the 60th jubilee of Sr. Avril Chin Fatt, OSF, and Sister Odette Haddad, OSF. (Seated in the center of the group photo)

The joyous occasion began in the chapel with Mass celebrated by Fr. Steve Kluge, OFM, accompanied by Friar Henry Fulmer. Bandmates Mary McNally, Nancy Christopher and Pat Shirley, along with Joan Carberry and Kathy Keck, who are also celebrating jubilee this year, were invited to renew their commitment.

All were invited to a luncheon following the Eucharistic celebration. Cathy Cahill calculated the years of service of all those gathered which came to an impressive 1,145. It is amazing to think of the lives that have been touched and the relationships that have been formed throughout the many years. God’s goodness and gifts continue to be outpoured abundantly. We are grateful to all of our jubilarians for their “Yes”.

In our last newsletter we told you about the party planned for the Feast of St. Bonaventure. Sisters, Associates, St. Elizabeth Motherhouse staff and residents, Congregational Office staff and invited guests enjoyed music from the Kokomo Time Band as well as a picnic lunch, including Sno-Cones.

Following is an edited version of a letter that was sent to all Sisters and Associates:

Our Associate Work Group was blessed to safely arrive “home” at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany on July 5th and work together through July 9th for five full and very meaningful days of prayer, reflective dialogue and planning. In the true Allegany Franciscan spirit, we were warmly welcomed to this peaceful place with endless smiles, laughter, hugs and generous hospitality!

Working Group participants included: Co-Directors, Linda Dees and Colleen Brady, OSF; Leadership Liaison, Jo Streva, OSF; Margaret Jarrett (Jamaica); Mary Laubenthal (New York); Paula Lyn (California); Cheryl Maggio (Florida); Ellen Nash (North Carolina); Rosimeire Noleto, OSF (Brazil); Pat Reid, OSF - translator (New York); Robin Roche (New Jersey); and via Zoom, Rita Canfield (North Carolina) and Marcia Gill (Florida). 

This gathering resulted from the “Deep Dive” process, which began a year ago in Tampa and has continued via Zoom meetings. Many Associates across all regions have expressed how much they miss the gatherings with our Sisters for assemblies and each of us are seeking to better understand the transformational journey of our Sisters.

There is still much work to be done as committees and as a collaborative group, which we have renamed: the TAU (Transformational Associates Unified) Team -- where the Holy Spirit is indeed our guide. The prayerful presence and supportive embrace of all has truly graced us with inspiration, spiritual energy, and exciting productivity as we endeavor to expand our resources for revitalizing our journey as Associates!  

Blessings of Peace,  

The Members of the TAU (Transformational Associates Unified) Team

You can find the entire letter here: