In this Issue:

Peak of the Week!

Welcome Sister Death

Shower for Mary

Festival of Trees

Light Up Night

A Trip to Peru

Feast of St. Nicholas

Franciscan Federation Retreat

Laudate Deum

Mission Society Christmas Cards

Allegany Franciscan Ministries

Send Us Your News

Birthday Greetings

December 16

Chocolate-Covered Anything Day

December 16 is all about chocolate because it is Chocolate Covered Anything Day.

And we are not complaining because it is the one-day where no one can question our obsession. Want to drizzle chocolate over your salad? Go right ahead, it is Chocolate Covered Anything Day! Add chocolate to your morning cup of coffee? That is a brilliant idea! (Anne does this!) Eat chocolate covered fruits for lunch? You are in the spirit of the holiday!

December 28

Card Playing Day

Held annually on December 28, the day celebrates card games and aims to bring together family and friends after a busy holiday season.

How to celebrate:

Host a card game night. Keep it simple, get take-out or pop a few frozen pizzas in the oven and get playing.

Did you know that the earliest known records of playing cards exist from the 9th century during the Tang Dynasty in China?

January 2

Science Fiction Day

Science fiction fans around the world mark January 2 as Science Fiction Day to celebrate science fiction writer Isaac Asimov's official birthday.

The holiday focuses on a genre of literature that explores the effect of imaginary change through technological innovations, scientific discoveries, natural events and disasters and evolution on people and their relationships. Usually, works of science fiction (sci-fi) are set in the near or distant future, and unlike fantasy, sci-fi tends to stay away from the supernatural and the magical.

To see where we found these fun holidays and check out more from around the world, visit: www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun

Welcome Sister Death

Sister Janet Finley, OSF

BORN:  Janet Maybelle Finley, March 5, 1934, Moline, IL

DIED:  December 4, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY

DAUGHTER OF:     Wilfred and Eleanor Brubaker Finley, Miami, FL

Sr. Janet Finley 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. Committed to Franciscan charism, Sister lived for 68 years as a devoted member of the Allegany Franciscan Sisters sharing her life in community and ministry.

Janet attended elementary and middle school in Oak Park and Chicago, IL graduating from Corpus Christi Senior High School in Miami, FL. She attended St. Elizabeth Teachers College, Allegany, NY; Barry University, Miami Shores, FL and Villa Maria, Buffalo, NY, graduating from St. Bonaventure University with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a minor in History. Her graduate studies included attendance at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL; Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, MA and Boston College, Boston, MA where she graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Education and Administration.

Many years of Janet’s ministry were spent educating students in Congregational Schools in Florida and Georgia. She served as Principal in Lakeland, St. Petersburg and Lake Worth, FL; and was Superior at St. Joseph’s Convent, Lakeland, FL. Following her career in education, Sr. Janet was a Pastoral Assistant at St. Luke’s Parish in Lake Worth, FL.

Sr. Janet retired in 2013 and resided at St. Elizabeth Convent, Tampa until 2020 when she was warmly welcomed home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY.

She is predeceased by her parents, Wilfred and Eleanor Brubaker Finley, sister; Sharon Finley Kush and cousins: Sr. Teresa Reinken, a Daughter of Charity and Sr. Suzanne Finley, a Sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  

Sr. Janet is survived by a sister, Joyce Finley Ostendorf and brother, Edward Finley and several nieces and grand nieces and nephews.

A wake service is scheduled for Friday, December 8^th at 4:00PM in the chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 9^th, at 10:00AM in the chapel at 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. 

Sister Joan Carberry asked that we share this lovely tribute to

Sister Janet Finley.

Students Contribute to Shower for Mary

By Anne Holliday, FSA Communications Coordinator

A seasonal tradition at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse is continuing with the help of some ambitious 8^th graders excited about helping dozens of area families.

The annual Shower for Mary is scheduled for December 19 in the Motherhouse Chapel.

Sister Rita Frances Guarasci was instrumental in bringing this event to the Motherhouse more than 20 years ago. She said when she was living in New York City she learned of a group doing a Shower for Mary to collect items for babies and toddlers of families in need. When she moved to Allegany, she decided a Shower for Mary would be a good fit for this community.

She said she was happy with the initial response and said the fact that it’s still going on so many years later is wonderful.

All the items collected during the shower will be donated to Cattaraugus and Wyoming Counties Project Head Start.

Angela Honeck’s 8^th grade religious education class at St. Bonaventure Parish has gotten a head start on collecting items. Along with diapers and blankets and several other items, they purchased 20 jackets and 16 pairs of boots with the $1,000 they raised as a service outreach project. They accepted the monetary donations at Masses on November 18 and 19, and accepted donations of items up until this past Sunday.

Kasey John, St. Bonaventure Parish’s new director of religious education, said she wanted the students to focus on a way they could serve others so they could gain a greater appreciation for their blessings, and to develop compassion for others as they become stewards of their own growing faith.

“This has been such a joyous and rewarding experience so far for these students,” John said. “I have been so proud of the gusto with which they have approached the whole thing.”

“I truly think they were in shock as to how generous our parish was when they made their announcements and did their collections,” John added. “We are very fortunate to have such supportive and giving parishioners. On top of their generosity The Bridge (church outreach program) matched their contribution, which was also unexpected and incredibly giving.”

The Sisters themselves will be doing some shopping for the shower as a “store” will be set up in the Motherhouse for them.

The Shower for Mary isn’t the only holiday event at the Motherhouse.

December 17 is the annual concert by Marcia Wymer and Friends in the chapel.

The annual blessing of the creche was Thursday. 

Pictured above are Colin Kahm, Sammi Vecchio, Kennedy Honeck, Ari Finch

May Eaton, Marissa Carls, Lilley Hemphill, Elexa Duggan and their teacher,

Mrs. Angela Honeck.

Festival of Trees

This tree decorated by Motherhouse staff and Sisters is now in Lincoln Park in Olean for the Festival of Trees, which is part of the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce Jingle Bell Jubilee.

This tree, along with trees from nine other organizations, will be auctioned off, with the auction ending Wednesday. The other organizations are Enchanted Mountain Garden Club; CASA – Trinity; WNY Heroes, C.O.L.O.R.S. Association, Interfaith Caregivers, United Way of Cattaraugus County, League of Women Voters Cattaraugus / Allegany, The Pink Pumpkin Project, and St. Vincent de Paul Society Thrift Store.

You can view the auction site without registering, but if interested in bidding, you will need to register.

Light Up Night in St. Petersburg

Medical Mission in Peru

Ludmila (left) and Johnna in front of a banner outside of the location where they provided care.

Ludmila takes a break from her volunteering and visits the town

Ludmila (left) and Johnna in front of the fountain outside of our main entrance.

Two team members from St. Joseph’s Hospital-South in Tampa were among 47 volunteers from across the US who traveled to a community in Peru earlier this year to provide much-needed medical care.

On their own time and with their own money, Johnna, a respiratory therapist, and Ludmila, a laboratory medical assistant traveled with Global Health Volunteers to Chulucanas, Peru, where about 1,800 patients received medical services during a two-week period.

Volunteers stayed in unairconditioned dormitory rooms in a Catholic pastoral center, sharing common areas and bathrooms. They were fed by students learning to cook in life skills classes.

Patients served at the mission do not regularly receive medical care. Some waited for as long as six months to been seen by a medical professional and some traveled from as far away as five hours in buses, trucks and on foot.

“One heart-wrenching example was a father who endured a five-hour truck ride and six-hour walk while carrying his eight-year-old paraplegic child to get there,” Johnna said. “These stories of hardship fueled my determination to continue our crucial work. Knowing that our efforts had a significant impact kept me driven and motivated."

The round trip from Tampa to Chulcanas took about 32-hours and involved planes and buses. The population of Chulucanas, in northern Peru, is about 80,000.

Information via Facebook

Living quarters for a volunteer

An examination room in Chulucanas

A St. Nicholas Surprise

As we celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6, a relative of Sister Vincent Mary (aka Sister Mary Donohue) shared this story:

Many years ago at St. Virgilius in Broad Channel, NY, Sister filled paper towel holders with candy, wrapped them, and left them leaning upright on glasses on the table, which was set for breakfast.



In the morning, Sister listened to the happy sounds the sisters made when they spied the St. Nicholas treats that had been prepared for them. Those happy sounds, however, turned to screams! In the night, mice had nibbled their way through the wrapping paper and jumped out of the tubes as they were lifted, and ran across the table.

The memory made Sr. Vincent Mary laugh for the rest of her life.

Thanks to Marianne McMahon Wright for sharing that story. If you have a story you’d like to share, feel free to send it to Anne Holliday: anne.holliday@fsallegany.org or PO Box W, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778

From the Crib to the Cross

Sister Carole Ann Hoppe asked that we pass along this information about the Franciscan Federation's Annual Retreat. This is from their website:

Our speakers will bring their Franciscan wisdom to the themes of Greccio (the crib), Journeying, and Francis’ Stigmata (the cross) on this special day of reflection and sharing. We will discover, together, how events that occurred 800 years ago continue to transform us today.

The retreat is virtual and everyone is welcome.

Laudate Deum

Here is a link to Laudate Deum for your reference and to include in your Cluster and Prayer Group discussions. 

Sisters who have any problems or questions, please contact Anne Holliday, Communications Coordinator via email at anne.holliday@fsallegany.org or by calling 716-373-0200 X3246.

St. Elizabeth Mission Society Christmas Mass Cards

By Laura Whitford, St. Elizabeth Mission Society

Send your special prayer blessings to friends or loved ones this Christmas with Christmas Mass enrollment cards from St. Elizabeth Mission Society. As members of the Mission Society, their intentions will be remembered at Christmas season Masses and in other Masses celebrated throughout the year in the Motherhouse Chapel.

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, and feed those who are poor in Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica, Mozambique and the United States.

Christmas 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. Christmas cards will also be available in the Mission Society office and Allegany Motherhouse lobby.

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.” 😊