Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY

Sr. James Peter Goggin passed away Friday evening at 6:20 pm. Please keep Sr. James Peter, her family members and those close to her in your prayers at this time.

Obituary to Follow.

Reflections on Guatemala 2026

By: Kathy Maire, OSF

“It’s the first sight that throws me into a panic” responded the triage nurse when I asked how she was coping. “Arriving after bumping over rocky roads for two hours in the back of a pickup truck and seeing forty people waiting for me is a bit overwhelming,” she went on to explain.  

Luckily, each day the chaos dissipated as each patient passed through triage and on to the provider line, with stops for labs or physical therapy if needed. The team shared space, consulted with each other, and paid attention to every patient. Finally, the individual or family group arrived at pharmacy to receive medications, instructions, AND the ever-important toothbrushes.  

And so it went each day: Santa Ana, Timushan, Mojon, Laredonda, San Jose, San Nicolas, sometimes setting up clinic in a school, a chapel, or a resident’s home. The local health promoters cleared space, borrowed chairs and tables, arranged tarps, provided barrels of water, assembled the patients, reported on those who were unable to walk, helped arrange follow-up and generally acted as the responsible agents for our visit. Without them we would not have been able to function.

As always there were memorable patients: a four year old boy who was unable to walk more than a few steps, a young mother with a one month old baby who had given birth alone, elderly individuals who wanted glasses so they could see their grandchildren’s faces, women overwhelmed with the responsibilities of the home, children, and work in the coffee harvest. Most needed medications or physical therapy; all needed encouragement and affirmation.

Final numbers are not in, but we saw well over 450 patients. Each encounter presented an opportunity to recognize the dignity, the strength, and the faith of individuals who trusted that God was providing them with care through our visit. What stays with me is the importance of each person who contributed money, medications, devices, prayers or moral support for our trip. Global Health sent a team of 12 people to Guatemala with a support network of thousands. We are so grateful.

Photos from Global Health Ministry

Here is a link to the article:

From March 20 to 22, Sister Geane Araújo da Silva participated in JUNINTER, held in Salvador, Brazil, at Vila Nazaré, an event organized by the Conference of Religious of Brazil, Bahia/Sergipe Regional Chapter. Sisters say moments like these are essential for strengthening the journey of consecrated women, fostering inner growth, communion, and a renewed commitment to the mission. “We continue our journey, cultivating a consecrated life that is ever more human, fraternal, and rooted in love.”

Also in Brazil, Sisters are getting a lot of publicity from newspapers and radio stations in the region on their 80th anniversary. 

You can stay updated on the activities of our Sisters in Brazil by following their Facebook and Instagram pages. (If you don’t read Portuguese, Google Translate and DeepL are among the translation tools that have free, easy to use versions. Added bonus: You may learn some Portuguese.)

The official anniversary celebrations are this week:



April 16 – Tribute at the Anápolis City Council, at 7:00 p.m.

April 18 - Thanksgiving Mass at 5:00 p.m. at St. Francis Parish. 

April 19 - Nature Walk Time: Departure at 8:00 a.m. (Ipiranga Park). Arrival: Ecological Sanctuary Convento Mãe Admirável

OLEAN, N.Y. — Southern Tier Catholic School and Archbishop Walsh Academy announce the receipt of a $2,000 scholarship award from the Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Foundation, a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, N.Y. The awarded funds will be used to support tuition scholarships for students and families, helping make Catholic education more accessible throughout the Olean community and surrounding areas.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Foundation and the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany for their generous and ongoing support of our students and families,” said Principal Brittany Nichols. “This scholarship funding helps us continue our mission of providing a faith-based education rooted in academic excellence, spiritual growth, and individual success for every child.”

Since relocating to the former St. John’s School building at 921 North Union Street in 2023, the Board of Trustees, administration, and dedicated staff have worked diligently to prepare for expanded educational opportunities, including the return of high school-level curriculum for the 2026-27 school year.

Enrollment in Southern Tier Catholic School’s Montessori through 8th grade program has grown by an impressive 50% since last school year, reflecting strong community support and confidence in the school’s mission. This growth has helped position the school to expand into high school grades once again.

“We are excited to continue building on this momentum as Archbishop Walsh returns to serve high school students in our community,” said Board of Trustees President Mark Quinn. “Families are looking for strong academic opportunities in a values-based environment, and we are proud to bring back a connected school community where students can grow from their earliest years through high school.”

Beginning with 9th grade, the high school program will continue to grow by adding additional grade levels in the coming years. Students can expect small class sizes, individualized attention, numerous field trip opportunities, and the benefit of being part of a connected school community where students across grade levels learn and grow together. Families now have the opportunity to continue their child’s educational journey in one location, from Montessori (3- and 4-year-olds) through high school. 

2026-27 enrollment is now open for students in Montessori (3- and 4-year-olds) through 9th grade. Families interested in learning more or scheduling a visit are encouraged to contact the school.

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

Associate Kathy Doyle had planned on participating in her local No Kings Day event in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, on March 28 but her plans went awry and she had to travel to Colorado unexpectedly.

Kathy’s story continues:

“One of my sister’s neighbors (Jan) offered to take me to their Highlands Ranch event. It was a gorgeous, slightly windy day, weather-wise. Our spot was located near a busy intersection about five car lengths down from the traffic light on a five-lane boulevard. Whenever the light changed, we had several cars in front of us with lots of honking, waving and thumbs up!  

“Not sure of the number of people who participated but we covered nearly a mile of sidewalk, often three to five people deep. There were several families, one had their 4-month-old daughter in a coach with a sign reading, “This is my first protest; but not my last,” several dogs, flags and music. 

It certainly was a well-attended community event.  

Afterward we went to a local craft bazaar. There, a woman was selling jewelry handcrafted from Brazil's "golden grass" that blends indigenous Brazilian tradition with a modern twist, while remaining eco-friendly, lightweight and sustainable. The grass naturally dries with a metallic looking golden hue in only one region of Brazil that happens to be one of the poorer areas.  

Her pieces, woven by just 30 families in the Tocantins region, support the families and children of these incredible artisans and help spread the beauty and joy of Brazilian culture and break the cycle of poverty. So, of course, I purchased some interesting, eye-catching bracelets for my granddaughters. The prices are surprisingly affordable, too.

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa uses art, music, yoga, massage, and gaming to support the physical, mental, emotional, social, and medical needs of its patients.

Sometimes therapists work with the children alone; other times they work with families; other times in different groups to help them heal, manage pain and build coping skills. This team complements the hospital’s Child Life Team, which supports the emotional and psychological well-being of children and families across the BayCare system.

These programs continue to thrive because of generous donors who made possible allocations of $12,500 for art therapy, $27,000 for massage, $6,500 for music therapy, $13,000 for yoga, and $45,000 for gaming therapy in 2025.

Mary's Spring Shower

By: Linda Dees, Associate Co-Director

The Tampa Bay Associates and The Franciscan Center, Tampa, are joining together once again to carry on a Motherhouse tradition by hosting our 3rd Annual Mary's Shower. 

The QR code can be used to order and contribute from anywhere and we are so grateful for all who do. 

A big thank you to Associate Fran for the flyer and Associate Cheryl for the cute collection box and especially the Franciscan Center Staff who are receiving the gifts sent and are the very best! 

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, feed and be present for those who are experiencing poverty in Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica, Mozambique and the United States.

Help the Jubilee Sisters celebrate their journey in religious life with a special Jubilee Mass enrollment card from the St. Elizabeth Mission Society. As members of the Mission Society, their intentions will be remembered at Masses celebrated throughout the year in the Motherhouse Chapel. As always, they will also share in the prayers and good works of our Sisters in Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica, Mozambique and the United States.

Holiday cards, Jubliee cards, as well as various other enrollment cards, can be ordered online or you can call the Mission Society office at (716) 373-1130 or e-mail the staff at StEliz.Office.Manager@FSAllegany.org.

All cards are also available in the Mission Society office in the Motherhouse.