Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY

Happy 25 Years, Lisa!

The Congregational Office staff is always up for a party, and they had an excellent reason to throw one 10 days ago. 

Lisa Yaudes-Goodwill is celebrating her 25th year of working for the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. 

She started as the assistant archivist, serving with Sister Ann Kelly and, over the years, has worked with many different people in a few different positions. She is currently Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk. 

But Congregational Minister Sister Cathy Cahill says Lisa’s title doesn’t tell the whole story. 

“Lisa assists the Sisters in so many other ways, always ready to help in her calm and efficient manner. It seems that nothing is too much to ask Lisa. If she doesn't know the answer, she will research until the problem is solved.” 

Her co-workers agree. They were each asked to come up with some words to describe Lisa and or what she likes. Those words would then be made into – No. Not a word cloud. A word puzzle piece because she is a puzzle master. Other words to describe her include meticulous, kind, compassionate. (Sr. Cathy and Executive Assistant to the Congregational Minister Claire Majot came up with that idea.) 

Debbie Loop and her Dietary Department, as usual, did an outstanding job with the meal, including an exceptional carrot cake. Also, as usual, secretariat executive assistant Erin Walsh brought the whole thing together perfectly. 

While food and gifts are always welcome, the best part of any event like this is the memories shared by the Sisters and longtime employees. We hope to do that again soon and share them with you. 

During the Lenten Season, The Franciscan Center in Tampa is hosting a retreat for working women, via Zoom, exploring the Life of St. Clare.

Leaders will be Colleen Walters, Vice President, Mission and Ethics, BayCare Health Systems, and former Franciscan Center board president; and Sister Maria Dos Santos, OSF, Coordinator, Global Health Ministry, BayCare Health Systems, and an Allegany Franciscan.

The one-hour sessions will be from noon to 1 p.m. on Mondays from Feb. 23 to March 23. The cost is $45.

St. Elizabeth Motherhouse Activities Director LaRae Best said she walked by the Chapel at just the right time on February 13 and saw this beautiful reflection from the stained glass windows. “No edits needed,” she said. “Just nature’s pure beauty.”

Sisters Barbara and Liliane got into the Mardi Spirit Tuesday, wearing masks and beads. How could you not be in the spirit when the incomparable dietary department serves up treats like turtle pie, coconut cake, peanut butter brownies and fruit tarts? We’d include pictures but we don’t want to tempt you during Lent.

A group of about 40 people gathered around a huge, bubbling pot of chicken soup which was placed on top of a blazing charcoal fire.  A bundle of love and community 

spirit encompassed everyone who was present. There was no snow because this gathering was held by the swimming pool at the Immaculate Conception Convent in

Kingston, Jamaica.

On February 17th, the two Servite Sisters, Sr. Rose Chang and Sr. Hazeline Williams who live in community with the Allegany Franciscan Sisters, commemorated the Feast Day of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order. In the evening, a beautiful liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop Emeritus Donald Reece which was attended by the Servite and Franciscan Sisters, the Servite Associates, members of the Neocatechumenate, and friends.

After the liturgy, all were invited to partake of the “Servite Soup.”  Sr. Rose gave a detailed explanation of the symbolism of the meal. She said that the Seven Founders experienced the Presence of God and, together, they developed their prayer life and ardent devotion to the Blessed Mother. Their openness to the Divine Presence led them to renounce everything and to live a life of prayer and penance, and ministry to the poor and suffering in the mountains near Florence, Italy. This has been the spirit and identity of the Servites throughout the almost 800 years of its existence.

The spirit of community is one of the foundation pillars of the Servite Order. The Seven Founders were more than companions, they were friends.  The “Servite Soup” was comprised of ingredients that were brought by the attendees.  As the ingredients blended together to make a delicious pot of soup, so too, the unique and special Self of each person become an important part of the united whole of the community.

To read more about the symbolism of the “Servite Soup,” you can go here:

You can read the complete message here:

Serving the poor and marginalized is part of the mission statement of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, and they put that into practice on Wednesday, as Motherhouse Sisters and area Associates gathered to fill Blessing Bags for the homeless in the area. It was a fitting way to participate in the 100 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Advocacy.

The Leadership Conference for Women Religious (LCWR) chose February 18 (Ash Wednesday) through June 7 (Feast of Corpus Christi) for the 100 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Advocacy because it coincides with Passover (April 1-9) and Ramadan (Feb. 17 – March 1). 

The Wisdom Circle on Sacredness of the Human Person planned the Blessing Bags project.

Sisters in the Motherhouse donated money to purchase the items for the Blessing Bags.

In addition to personal care items, the bags also included a handwritten note offering the recipients blessings and prayers and reminding them that someone cares for them.

“We’re told that a personal touch means a lot,” said Congregational Minister Sister Cathy Cahill.

Most of the bags will go to Genesis House in Olean. Some of the Sisters will keep a bag in their car to hand to a person in need should they come across one.

This Wisdom Circle recently hosted a meeting with local leaders to identify and assess the needs of the community and determine ways they could help. Homelessness was one of the topics of discussion. The people invited were Jim Mahar of Bona Responds, former Olean Mayor William Aileo, Laura Whitford, President of the St. Elizabeth Mission Society/Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Foundation and Shirley Halftown of The Bridge thrift store, an outreach ministry of St. Bonaventure Parish.

In 2025 Genesis House provided more than 25,000 meals; housed 108 single adults; housed 11 families with 18 children; and provided a total of 8,563 nights of shelter.

The Sisters were so generous in donating to this project that there was money left over. It will go toward another project that hasn’t been determined yet, Sister Cathy said.

The Sisters and Associates who helped with the Blessing Bags project each received a card with the following prayer by Samuel F. Pugh on it:



O God, when I have food,

help me to remember the hungry;

When I have work,

help me to remember the jobless;

When I have a home;

help me to remember those who have no home at all;

When I am without pain,

help me to remember those who suffer;

And remembering,

help me to destroy my complacency;

bestir my compassion,

and be concerned enough to help

by word and deed,

those who cry out for what we take for granted.

A Going Away Party for Fr. Michael Reyes

The Franciscan Center in Tampa was packed on February 15 as people attended a Mass said by Fr. Michael Reyes, then a going away party for him.

Fr. Michael, who has been at The Franciscan Center since leaving St. Bonaventure Parish in Allegany, has been reassigned to Santa Barbara, California.

Many Allegany Franciscans and Associates attended the Mass and party. Current and former Councilors Pat Shirley and Jo Streva said a few words and led the Sisters and Associates in singing the traditional Franciscan Blessing.

Fr. Michael is an accomplished artist and part of his ministry centers on teaching art to the community. To recognize and thank him for this, the Franciscan Center has dedicated an art gallery to him. 

Franciscan Center staff showed him a plaque that says, “This gallery commemorates the lasting contribution of Fr. Michael Reyes, OFM, Inspirational Franciscan Artist and Curator. Dedicated in gratitude – February 15, 2026.”

Another plaque commemorates the first Mass he said at the center: April 19, 2025, the Easter Vigil.

The party include Filipino food, fried chicken, mini Cuban sandwiches, fruit, cheese, arepas, empanadas, rice meatballs, mini sausages, a huge cake, refreshing punch, and many desserts.

Staff and center regulars say Fr. Michael will be missed. People in Allegany know how they feel, as evidenced by some comments on the center’s Facebook page.

“Father Michael is one of the best! The church was full every Mass when he was in Allegany. California is lucky to have him.”

“You were all blessed to have Fr. Michael as we were at St. Bonaventure (Parish) in Allegany, NY.”