In this Issue:
Update from Mozambique
St. Joseph's Teachers' College Anniversary
St. Bonaventure Names 22nd President
Support for Ukraine
Catholic Sisters Week
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Our Sisters serving in Mozambique - Sisters Maria Abadia da Silva and Euripedes Irias dos Santos - have settled in and are providing a great deal of joy in their ministry of presence with the people of Maganja da Costa. Father Rafael Xavier Ligeiro, who invited the Congregation to consider a mission in Mozambique several years ago, said in an update "the first arrival of the sisters has contributed a lot to our mission."
We continue to pray for Sisters Euripedes and Abadia and for the people of Mozambique and await the arrival of Sr. Liliane Araujo Costa in Maganja da Costa.
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St. Joseph's Teachers' College to Celebrate 125 Years |
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The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and the faculty, staff, alumnae, and friends of St. Joseph's Teachers' College in Kingston, Jamaica, are gearing up for a year-long celebration of the school's 125th anniversary.
The festivities will begin this weekend, and continue throughout 2022 and into February 2023.
On Sunday, March 20, an Anniversary Mass will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. There will also be a featured center spread in the Jamaica Sunday Gleaner, and the college's special Anniversary Webpage will be launched. On Monday, March 21, the college will hold a Special Devotion at 10 a.m., followed by the Annual Student Award Ceremony.
Special anniversary events will continue with a focus on Franciscan values, during a celebration on April 2 and another on October 4. The October 4 event will also feature a short video showcasing the ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in their development of the college.
In January, a special award called "125 Devices for 125 Years" will be given to students who are financially challenged, as well as those with outstanding GPAs. To close the anniversary year, the college will unveil a mural entitled "SJTC: Excellence; Our Way of Life."
We will share pictures and videos from these events in future editions of this newsletter, as well as on our Facebook page.
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St. Bonaventure University Names 22nd President
By: Denise Bunk-Hatch, Communications Director
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The St. Bonaventure University community welcomed its 22nd President, Dr. Jeff Gingerich, on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
Dr. Gingerich is currently the provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs at the University of Scranton, and will assume the Presidency at St. Bonaventure on June 20, 2022. He will replace Dr. Joseph Zimmer, who has served as Acting President since the death of Dr. Dennis DePerro, 21st President of the University, on March 1, 2021.
Dr. Gingerich comes from a long background in Catholic higher education, including more than 18 years at Cabrini University before his tenure at the University of Scranton. He served as Acting President at both institutions, including for four months at Scranton following the passing of President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz SJ, who died on March 10, 2021.
Dr. Gingerich is a native of Parnell, Iowa. He and his wife Betsy have five children and two dogs. He earned his bachelor's in social work from Eastern Mennonite College, and his master's and PhD in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania.
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity I've been given to join the Bonaventure community," he said in a university press release on March 8. "I have always had such deep respect and admiration for the Franciscans. Their humility, reflection and sense of community are fundamental in the way I strive to live my life."
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We are witnesses to the devastating and distressing effects of the war upon the people of Ukraine. The destruction, injury, death, and displacement of millions of people is overwhelming. Once again, we are called to respond to the needs of the people. Our prayers are critical. The opportunities to volunteer with local groups and organizations to send needed supplies to the Ukraine refugees is vital. Any way that we can give of ourselves for the good of others is our response in love and justice.
As a Congregation, we have made a $10,000 donation for the refugees of Ukraine. We have contacted Msgr. Walter Grabowski, a native of Poland and pastor of St. Gabriel Parish, Elma, NY. Msgr. Grabowski has family and contacts in Poland near the Ukraine border, and they are working and getting supplies directly to the Ukrainian refugees.
We invite you to make a donation which will be collected and sent in addition to the Congregational donation. Make checks payable to: Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, P.O. Box W, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778. Note on the memo line: Ukraine Refugees.
Otherwise, you may donate through a local or national organization to which you are connected or familiar. Let us continue to pray and work for peace in our world and especially for peace and healing for the people of Ukraine.
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Today marks the end of the official run of "Catholic Sisters Week", which occurs annually from March 8-14. Throughout the past week, we have shared stories of how our Sisters have impacted individuals from across the country, art and poetry created by our Sisters, and posts from our friends and sponsored ministries celebrating Allegany Franciscan sisters. These posts can be found on our Facebook page.
However, we still have more to share! Posts will continue throughout the coming days and weeks! If you have something you'd like to share with us, please email Denise Bunk-Hatch, Communications Director, at denise.bunk-hatch@fsallegany.org. |
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