Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY

Lifetime Commitment to

Catholic Education Award

Sister Joan Carberry is being recognized by the National Catholic Educational Association with its “Lifetime Commitment to Catholic Education Award.”

The Association’s awards recognize outstanding service and significant impact on Catholic education at the local, diocesan, or national level. Recipients are leaders whose vision and commitment have strengthened schools and advanced the mission of Catholic education in meaningful and lasting ways.

Sister Joan is currently assistant principal at St. Paul’s Catholic School in St. Petersburg, Florida.

In a letter to the community, Monsignor Robert Gibbons, pastor of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, said, “We are extraordinarily blessed to serve alongside Sister Joan and to witness the profound impact of her vocation each day. This national recognition affirms what our community has long known: her life’s work is a gift to Catholic education and to the Church.”

The Franciscan Center has many events planned, not just for Lent, but for the rest of the year, and they asked us to share some of them with you.

Pope Leo XIV has established the Jubilee Year of St. Francis from January 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027. The Diocese of St. Petersburg has designated Jubilee sites across our local Church, and we are honored that the Franciscan Center is one of these official pilgrimage sites.

Remember that you may register for any of our programs by visiting our website:

Parents interested in sending their children to our Summer Camp 2026 - RAINFOREST FALLS, please go to this link and complete a registration (one per child). You can also pay the fee with your credit card.

For more information, please contact us at (813) 229-2695.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Peace and blessings,

The Franciscan Center Team

Sunday was a special day for the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, especially sisters Geane and Jaiane as they made their first professions.

In case you didn’t get a chance to share this joyous occasion with our community live, we have two options for you to watch at your convenience. You can watch an edited version with just the highlights or the version that includes everything from Sunday evening. 

Obrigada to our Sisters in Brazil for providing us with the pictures, the video links and the edited video!

It may ask if you want to view as your Facebook username. You don't have to do anything. You don't even have to be a member of Facebook. Just click on "View Story."

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Tampa was looking for ways to create a more engaging, uplifting experience for patients, visitors and team members on its 4-West inpatient floor and Infusion Center when they came up with the idea to partner with Hillsborough County Public Schools and fill the hallways with student art.

They say art has a powerful way of bringing comfort, connection and hope so they were proud to bring student artwork from Tampa’s Blake High School and Lutz’s Steinbrenner High School to create a stunning gallery. The frames were even designed so new pieces can rotate each year. A nearby book includes the name of each student whose art is displayed and the inspiration behind their work.

Hospital officials offered a heartfelt thank you to the incredible young artists for helping to make the hospital spaces feel brighter.