Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY

Welcome Sister Death

Congregational Councilor Sr. Liliane Araújo Costa placed the infant in the manger during Christmas Eve Mass in St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. (Thank you, Sr. Carol Ann Hoppe, for the pictures.) Congregational Councilor Sr. Pat Shirley shared this short video of part of the Mass with us. Sr. Ann Wachter is doing the reading. Fr. Scott Brookbank celebrated the Mass.

When we were preparing to celebrate our 140th anniversary, we were asked to think of ways that we could mark this special occasion.  

At our Jersey Regional meeting one suggestion was to commit to 140 acts of justice. Thus, was born the “Franciscan Blessings” Program in 1999. For those who are not familiar with “Franciscan Blessings,” it is an alternative gift-giving program.  Donations are made to the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany usually in lieu of “gifts” for special occasions, or as a “remembrance” when someone dies.  

One hundred percent of the money is given to our sisters who work among those who suffer from poverty in Jamaica, Brazil, Bolivia, and Mozambique to assist them in their outreach efforts. Sometimes donors specify where and how they would like the money to be used. At other times, they simply designate “for the greatest need.”  

The AMAZINGLY GOOD NEWS is that the program just passed the half million dollar mark for donations – and that’s without advertising!  

Let us pray in thanksgiving for all our generous benefactors and the people in whose name or memory they gave the donations.

Pictured, Sr. Elvira Donaldson with one of the families in Bolivia that has been helped with money donated to Franciscan Blessings.

The video shows the new obstetric center at Santa Casa hospital in Brazil. After Sr. Cindy’s sister Norma died last year, Franciscan Blessings received more than $20,000 in her memory. Sr. Marinez Arantes told her it was used to purchase air conditioning, a water cooler, a delivery table, stretchers and other small instruments.

She added, “With this gesture, you are directly contributing to the care of many women who come to Santa Casa to give birth to their babies.”

An ugly sweater contest, games with prizes, delicious treats, and a visit from Santa (who looks surprisingly like Motherhouse Maintenance Director John Bhe) were all part of the Sisters’ Christmas party December 22.

Sister Carol Vinci, whose birthday is Christmas Eve, sang “O Holy Night.” Sister Barbara Bartkowiak sang songs to open and close the party, and Sister Lucy Cardet led everyone in a lively sing-along.

As you can tell by the pictures, a fun time was had by all!

Earlier this month, BayCare revealed the latest rendering of the future Pagidipati Children’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s, a freestanding, state-of-the-art facility scheduled to open in 2030.

Designed to succeed the current St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, the new hospital will deliver world-class care in a vibrant, welcoming environment that inspires hope and healing for generations to come.  

“The new hospital will build on St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital’s legacy and ensure children and families receive the highest quality care for generations — right here in our back yard.” 

The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, who founded St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa in 1934, are supporting the new Pagidipati Children’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s with a $1 million donation for its new dedicated chapel. Many Sisters attended a special dinner in Tampa when the gift was presented.

You can read more about the new children’s hospital here: