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In this Issue:
Peak of the Week!
Women's History Month Review
Puzzlemania!
Global Sisters Report
SBU Franciscan Institute Courses
Earth Day
"Pathway to Peace & Inner Freedom:
Reflections on the Twelve Steps"
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April 12
Grilled Cheese Day
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April 12 is Grilled Cheese Day, a day to celebrate this hearty bread and cheese dish and to make
every meal out of it.
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Enjoyed today by people around the world as an after school snack or as a comfort meal, the modern version of a grilled cheese is believed to have originated in the United States during the 1920s when sliced bread and cheese became easily available.
The cheese usually used in grilled cheese is American cheese which is a processed cheese product that has a very low melting point. Hot tomato soup, potato chips, and pickles are common accompaniments of a grilled cheese sandwich.
The unofficial holiday of unknown origins is also sometimes known as National Grilled Cheese Day.
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April 13 is Scrabble Day, a day to celebrate the popular board game created in 1938 by Alfred Mosher Butts, an American architect. | |
Scrabble is a word game where 2 to 4 players place tiles, each having a single letter, on a board such that the tiles form words. Like a crossword puzzle, the words have to be built on a 225 square Scrabble board
from top to bottom or from left to right.
The word Scrabble comes from the Dutch word, schrabbelen, meaning to struggle and scramble.
Did You Know…
…that if you played the word Oxyphenbutazone in your next game of Scrabble, you will make 1458 points as calculated by Dan Stock of Ohio? Oxyphenbutazone is a medication used to treat arthritis and is the highest scoring single play word in Scrabble.
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April 14
International Moment of Laughter Day
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On April 14, stop, smell the roses, and laugh a little
(or a lot), because it is International Moment of Laughter Day.
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The unofficial holiday, created by humorologist
Izzy Gesell, encourages people to forget the
stresses of daily life and give into the healing and
relaxing power of laughter.
Medical studies have shown that laughing reduces stress, increases blood flow, and lowers blood sugar levels. Some studies have found that people who laugh
just before going to bed
are much more likely to sleep better than those
who did not.
In addition to its health benefits, laughter also has social advantages.
People who are jovial tend
to be quickly accepted in social groups and have
an easier time
making friends.
Laughter is a way to spread joy and happiness and
bring cheer in the lives of other people.
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Women's History Month Review | |
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Last month we told you about the Women’s History Month display in the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse highlighting the sisters and what brings them joy.
Since then, a few more posters and answers have been displayed.
Family and prayer, as well has being with other Sisters is a common theme. Also mentioned were dancing; making people laugh; coffee with a friend; and reading, playing canasta and sudoku.
Local Minister Sister Judith Terrameo, who organized the display, said she’s going to leave it up a little longer because people are still coming to look at it.
When she does take the display down she’ll put the posters in a notebook for safe-keeping, and so people can still look at them.
She plans on doing something similar next year but, “maybe ask a different question.”
As for this year’s question, two more answers are “Being outdoors and seeing wild animals” and “Seeing someone who is kind.”
Sister Margaret McManus, however, couldn’t name just one or two things. What brings her joy? “Everything.”
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Puzzlemania!
March 22, 2023
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Puzzlemania! was such a hit that the Congregational Office staff has decided to make it a monthly event.
On March 22, Sisters from St. Elizabeth Motherhouse were invited to the Congregational Offices to, not only put puzzles together, but interact with the staff and enjoy some tasty treats.
Cora Martin, who organized the event, said she was “exceptionally pleased” with how it went and “the Sisters were thrilled. They thoroughly enjoyed it.”
She said the best part was the Sisters and the staff getting to spend time together.
The next Puzzlemania! is scheduled for April 26.
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But that’s not all. April 13 is National Scrabble Day and the staff couldn’t let that go by without some kind of celebration. They’re hosting Open Scrabble and inviting the Sisters to join them. Unlike a traditional Scrabble game, all the tiles will be on the table and whoever wants to can make a word – big or diminutive – colossal or small – and add it to the board. | |
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Global Sisters Report
Featuring: Alba Luz
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This is a portion of an article – “Congregations and cultures mix as novices learn and grow together” – that appeared in the April 3 edition of the Global Sisters Report: | |
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Alba Luz Mejia Solis, a novice with the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York, is the eldest of the women in this cohort. She grew up in Honduras and trained as a catechist from an early age. She moved as an adult to Miami, where she served 450 families in a mission, many of them immigrants and refugees, pretty much on her own.
"The priest asked 60 people to help," she recalled of the mission's beginnings. "I was the only one who stayed."
She credits God with giving her the energy to perform the many tasks. "I opened myself to him, and he did the rest."
You can read more by following this link: https://www.globalsistersreport.org/news/congregations-and-cultures-mix-novices-learn-and-grow-together
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SBU Franciscan Institute Courses | |
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St. Bonaventure University’s Franciscan Institute
has announced seminars planned for this summer.
Among them are:
* Secular Franciscans: From Gospel to Life: Jesus in the New Testament, June 3, 10, 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom only.
This mini-course over three Saturdays will provide Secular Franciscans with a faithful and contemporary view of Jesus, as He is presented in the Letters of Paul and the Synoptic Gospels.
We will present Jesus in His Jewish historical context, providing a fresh look at the stories we know so well. In understanding how Jesus spoke in Jewish terms, we will be able to more deeply appreciate His words, thoughts and commands. His parables will come alive.
This course is free of charge.
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* The New Franciscan Moral Vision: A Seminar on Franciscan Ethics, June 28 through July 1 from 9 a.m. to noon via Zoom only.
The year 2023 is the 10th anniversary of the publication "The Franciscan Moral Vision: Responding to God’s Love," Thomas Nairn, ed.
This conference will highlight the importance of that book and track the developments in the Franciscan moral vision in the age of terrorism and pandemics, along with the influence of Pope Francis on Franciscan ethics.
Using their new volume, "Lesser Ethics: Morality-as-Goodness-in-Relationship," Fr. David Couturier, O.F.M. Cap., and Dr. Krijn Pansters will provide perspective on the challenges and insights of a developing Franciscan moral vision. Participants should purchase a copy of the new book, Lesser Ethics, at www.franciscanpublications.com.
The cost of the course is $40 plus purchase of book.
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To commemorate Earth Day on April 22 the Catholic Climate Covenant has come up with a list of small steps people can take to live simply and sustainably, and Canticle Farm is planning a party to mark the event.
Among the Catholic Climate Covenant’s suggestions are having at least one meat-free day every week; using fewer pesticides and herbicides; trying to plant more native trees and plants; and committing to buying nothing “new to you.” Instead repurpose, borrow, use neighborhood “Buy Nothing” groups and go to thrift stores.
The covenant also suggests challenging yourself, your family and your community to walk or bicycle everywhere you can to benefit your mind, body and soul. Also, use public transportation when you can or carpool.
They also suggest using real dinnerware instead of paper plates and plastic utensils for community meetings and events, and then cleaning up and washing with environmentally friendly products. Also, reduce the amount of paper you print for Mass, events and meetings.
You can find more information here: https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/
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Canticle Farm’s Earth Day party is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. on April 23 on Nine Mile Road in Allegany. More details on the party will be released soon.
Anyone who would like to help plan the party or volunteer on that day can email office@canticlefarm.org
The event does include a fundraiser. For every dollar you donate to the Franciscan Food Pantry Program you will receive a vegetable start of your choosing to plant in your garden. https://www.canticlefarm.org/franciscan-food-pantry-program.html
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Publication By: Judith Terrameo, OSF
"Pathway to Peace and Inner Freedom: Reflections on the Twelve Steps"
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Just about every adult has heard of the Twelve Step program. Sister Judith Terrameo went one step further.
She wrote “Pathway to Peace and Inner Freedom: Reflections on the Twelve Steps.”
A recovering alcoholic, Sister Judith said another sister asked her to share her reflections on the Twelve Step program in an effort to help others cope with various issues. She said while she was caring for her sick father the project “was a nice outlet” for her.
The 32-page booklet includes prayers, poetry, photography and “Spiritual Groundwork” questions. She said combining poetry and Ignatian Spirituality seemed to be the best approach to achieving the goal she had in mind. She added that the Spiritual Groundwork at the end of each reflection is “perfect for group sharing,” with questions like “What is my image of God?” and “Did you like the person you were today?”
She stressed that the booklet is not exclusively for people with addiction issues. “We all deal with something,” she said.
Sister Judith said “being given the gift and grace to share with others is an honor.”
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To purchase a copy at $5.00 each, please send a check payable to
“Franciscan Sisters of Allegany” and mail to:
Franciscan Sisters of Allegany; Attn: Claire Majot; P.O. Box W, St Bonaventure, NY 14778.
Or if you are visiting the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse cash can be accepted.
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Newsletter Content Submission Deadline:
April 24th Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - April 21st
May 8th Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - May 5th
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