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Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY | | |
Chris Tenn, OSF in Jamaica
By Sister Chris Tenn
It was wonderful to be with our Sisters and to experience their warm hospitality and the inspirational retreat given by Fr. Tom Hartle, OFM, from January 12-17, at ICC in Kingston, Jamaica.
Fr. Tom has a great sense of humor, is a fantastic storyteller, and offered us many spiritual insights to ponder.
Of course, another big plus for me was relief from the cold and “white stuff” in winter I left behind for a breather. It sure enhanced my gratefulness and appreciation for Mother Earth’s colorful foliage, the balmy breeze and the bright beautiful sunshine.
I pray to be greeted with a more temperate weather when I return to the Motherhouse. (FYI: It was 7 degrees in Allegany when we received Chris’s email.)
Peace and all good!
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Welcome Sister Death
Sr. Mary Michael French
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You may remember an article in our newsletter of July 24, 2023, about a Presentation Sister of Staten Island, who spearheaded an appeal to collect socks for children in Franciscan Sisters of Allegany Jamaican schools, and received more than 200 socks.
We’re sad to report that Sr. Mary Michael French passed away on Monday, January 20, just short of her 95th birthday.
Sr. Margaret Mary Kimmins and Sr. Nancy Chiarello are among the people with whom she lived in Staten Island.
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Southern Tier Catholic School in Olean and St. Paul Catholic School in St. Petersburg, along with other Catholic schools around the U.S., are celebrating Catholic Schools Week through Saturday. |
The themes they will be celebrating are parish, community, students, the nation, vocations, faculty/staff/volunteers, and families. | | |
An Unexpected Gift
By Linda Dees, Associate
During the recent Tampa Bay Associate meeting we were having a wonderful sharing about The Canticle of the Sun. We discussed the sources available and how they can vary, when the verses were written and what prompted Francis to write them. After a bit, I shared with those gathered that I was disappointed as I had tried and tried to figure out how to get a recording of the Canticle in Italian, as I'm sure that it would be beautiful to hear. Frances Siracusa immediately spoke up and said that she had taken Italian and that she would be willing to pray it for us. I may be slightly biased, being that in my early years my Nonna spoke only Italian, when I tell you it was BEAUTIFUL and touching! It truly resonated with my soul. As I reflect on the whole experience, I'm not sure if I was more touched by how beautifully Fran shared the prayer or that she so quickly and willingly spoke up and shared her gift with us all.
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Statement on Immigration
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has expressed concern after President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders targeting immigration on his first week in the Oval Office.
"Some provisions contained in the Executive Orders, such as those focused on the treatment of immigrants and refugees, foreign aid, expansion of the death penalty, and the environment, are deeply troubling and will have negative consequences, many of which will harm the most vulnerable among us," said Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. bishops' conference.
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A statement from FSA Leadership says they are in solidarity with the bishops on the issue of immigration:
As Franciscan Sisters of Allegany we stand with our U.S. Catholic Bishops in condemning the President's immigration orders. No one should live in fear. All deserve respect and dignity as they work to provide for themselves and their families. Let us uphold the belief that we are all sisters and brothers. May we stand for peace, justice, and the integrity of all people.
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Franciscan Center Happenings | |
Last Week:
On January 20 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) four AmeriCorps programs joined forces to make a meaningful impact at The Franciscan Center, Tampa.
Operation: Veteran Connect, The City of Tampa Green Team, Metropolitan Ministries Mobile Brigade, and ReDefiners World Languages came together to honor Dr. King’s legacy through action.
With more 8 acres to clear, nearly 30 volunteers worked to remove debris and beautify the grounds.
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Currently:
The Sta. Chiara D'Assisi Gallery at the Franciscan Center is displaying "Hidden Treasures" curated by Arts4All Florida.
Hidden Treasures draws on the incredible talent and diversity of Florida artists with disabilities, who have shared their visions for the new year.
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Anyone who’s in Tampa is invited to stop by and enjoy the artwork, which will be on display through February 28. For those not able to visit, you can check it out on
The Franciscan Center Facebook page.
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Coming Up:
In March, the Franciscan Center will be tackling the issue of fostering unity in our polarized society.
Through a series of Zoom gatherings, participants will discuss the book “The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World.”
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You can find more information, including the registration form, here: | | |
St. Joseph's Hospital Music at the Bedside
Part of St. Joseph’s Hospitals’ Spiritual Care Department, Music at the Bedside provides live music by a certified music practitioner to facilitate healing and relaxation.
Through the program, therapeutic music is provided to patients, families, visitors and team members throughout St. Joseph’s Hospitals.
Benefits of Music at the Bedside include improving the overall patient experience, enhancing moods and making patients feel more hopeful and positive, promoting feelings of peace, comfort and relaxation, and helping to relieve pain and discomfort
Hospital officials say they’ve received many positive comments about the program.
Through the Humanity Grants Program, St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation invests in projects and ideas generated by team members that will bring care and comfort to patients and their families.
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Centennial Anniversaries in Jamaica | |
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This past weekend the sisters in Jamacia, Congregational Leadership, many friends, and partners in mission traveled to Montego Bay, Jamaica, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Mt. Alvernia High, Mt. Alvernia Preparatory School, and Chetwood Memorial.
Marline Stephenson Dalley, past student and Chairperson of Centennial Celebration Committee wrote, “This milestone would not have been possible without the vision and dedication of our founding mothers, the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.”
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Mt. Alvernia High School was founded in 1924, at the request of Rev. AM Tibbits, SJ. As the pastor of St. James Church in Montego Bay, Father Tibbits was concerned for the Catholic youth in the city who were enrolled in the local government school. He asked Rev. Mother Teresa O’Neil to send three sisters to open a parochial school. Originally named the Academy of St. James, the school was later renamed Mt. Alvernia High School. The school enrolled both boarders and day students who were preparing for college exams. | |
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The goal of the foundresses of the school, Mother Theophane and Mother Alacoque, was to provide education for the economically poor Catholic girls in Montego Bay. However, responding to the needs of society, the school eventually expanded to include students of all faiths and backgrounds in the community. By the 1970s, more than 1,500 students were enrolled in the school.
Following a process of discernment of ministries in Jamaica, the Allegany Franciscans withdrew from Mt. Alvernia High School in 2005. To this day, Mount Alvernia High School maintains a reputation for excellence.
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Additional pictures to follow in the next newsletter and or on Facebook. | |
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Newsletter Content Submission Deadline:
February 10th 2025 Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - February 7th 2025
February 24th 2025 Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - February 21st 2025
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