|
|
Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY | | |
|
Franciscan Springs
Celebration Troupe
presents
Thea Bowman,
A Giant Difference Maker
| |
In recognition of Black History Month St. Elizabeth Motherhouse welcomed the Franciscan Springs Celebration Troupe to give the presentation: Thea Bowman – A Giant Difference Maker.
The presentation included a reading on Thea Bowman’s life by Steve Swayne; a reflection on faithfulness by Allen Jones; a reflection on service by David Puffer; a friendship discussion with Keith Daniel and Steve Swayne; and Jesus Truly is in the Humble Things by Keith Daniel.
| |
The presentation also included the songs “Light a Candle for Peace,” sung by Marcia Falvey; “I Feel Like Going On” from Allen Jones, and “We Shall Overcome” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with all who were gathered in the chapel.
A free will offering was taken up for the African American Center for Cultural Development in Olean.
| |
Thea Bowman was a religious sister, teacher, musician, liturgist, and scholar who made major contributions to the ministry of the Catholic Church toward African Americans.
She became an evangelist, assisting in the production of an African American hymnal, and also recording some music. She was a popular speaker on faith and spirituality. She also helped found the National Black Sisters’ Conference to provide support for African American women in Catholic religious life.
Thea Bowman died of cancer in 1990. In 2018, the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi, opened her cause for sainthood and she was designated a Servant of God (the first step toward possible canonization).
Pictured (from left): Steve Swayne, Keith Daniel, Fr. David Hyman, who worked at the Franciscan Springs Prayer Center, David Puffer, Allen Jones, and Della Moore, founder and director of the African American Center for Cultural Development.
|
| |
|
Associate Annual Commitment Renewal
By Ellen Nash, Associate
| |
Joy, exuberance, camaraderie, reminiscing, new friendships, family, and friends are just a few words used to express what happened on Feb. 15 at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in North Carolina.
That was when the (Calabash) North Carolina Associates gathered and renewed their annual commitment to the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany Associate Way of Life.
With the TAU Team meeting in the area at that time, the occasion was further filled with fun, friendship and joy beyond measure. Word is that all 25 who attended were very impressed and moved with the spirituality and depth of love they experienced at the ceremony. They seemed especially touched when the TAU Team stood with hands raised to sing the Blessing of St. Francis over all gathered for this very special occasion.
|
| | |
ACOR Spring Grant Cycle
Allegany Franciscan Ministries is accepting applications for the Spring Grant Cycle.
ACOR Grants provide short-term support to local community projects that extend the mission and vision of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. Grants focus on improving health, wellness, and quality of life in marginalized communities. Funding is limited to nonprofit organizations directly affiliated with the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, Allegany Franciscan Associates or Trinity Health. Requests for up to $10,000 will be considered.
| |
|
The application process includes two steps. First, a brief LOI (letter of intent) application must be completed to confirm eligibility. Second, if the LOI is approved, you will be invited to complete a full application.
The Fall ACOR grant deadlines are:
Fall Cycle
LOI Application – March 27, 2025
Full Application – April 1,2025 by 12 pm noon (invited applicants)
| |
Visit their website for more information including a webinar recording with complete program information. Note: there are materials on the website in Portuguese for applicants in Brazil. | |
|
For more information, please contact Erin Baird at (727) 507-9668 or ebaird@afmfl.org | |
Several Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and Associates started the Lenten Season at the Franciscan Center in Tampa with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Michael Reyes. Mass was followed by lunch and a showing of the movie “Places in the Heart.” | |
|
Also, the Franciscan Center recently hosted a retreat led by Fr. Murray Bodo. It was a day filled with inspiration and meaningful fellowship that touched the participants’ commitment to their Franciscan calling as peacemakers. Associates Linda Dees, Cheryl Maggio and Frances Siracusa were among those who attended. They are pictured with Fr. Murray Bodo, Fr. Michael Reyes, and Franciscan Center Director Brian Lemoi. | |
|
|
Sisters Kathleen Stagnaro and Joan Carberry were among the thousands of people who enjoyed the annual St. Paul’s Catholic Church Festival in St. Petersburg, Fla. Organizers say Festival 2025 was one for the books, with perfect weather, big crowds and smiles all around. | | | |
St. Elizabeth Mission Society Easter Mass Cards
By: Laura Whitford, St. Elizabeth Mission Society
| |
|
Send your special prayer blessings to friends or loved ones this Easter with Mass enrollment cards from St. Elizabeth Mission Society. As members of the Mission Society, their intentions will be remembered at Easter Sunday Mass and in other Masses celebrated throughout the Easter season in the Motherhouse Chapel. They will also share in the prayers and good works of our Sisters in Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica, Mozambique and the United States.
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, and feed those who are experiencing poverty in Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica, Mozambique and the United States.
| |
| |
St. Elizabeth Mission Society Easter Mass Cards
By: Laura Whitford, St. Elizabeth Mission Society
|
Help the Jubilee Sisters "celebrate their journey" 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. | |
| |
|
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. | |
|
Easter & Jubilee cards, as well as various other enrollment cards, can be ordered online at https://www.franciscanhope.org/shop/
or you can call the Mission Society office at (716) 373-1130 or e-mail the staff at StEliz.Office.Manager@FSAllegany.org
for more information about ordering the enrollment cards.
Easter & Jubilee cards will also be available in the Mission Society office.
| | |
|
Canticle Farm Programs
The Canticle Farm Education Committee met recently to plan for the farm’s programming in 2025.
| | |
|
Workshops, presenters, tours, field trips, and volunteer work projects are all on the horizon. Also, the farm is creating a new community garden and hopes to launch a riverside farmstay retreat program.
They say the Education, Spirituality, Finance, Nominations, and Fundraising committees are all hard at work preparing for the 2025 season.
| |
Pictured from left, members of the Education Committee: Max Shelgren, Sheldon Kenyon, Karie Altman, and Aaron Gies. | |
|
Two of the organizations that received Ecumen Awards from the Greater Olean Area Council of Churches earlier this year are getting more recognition from the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and their employees.
During Catholic Sisters Week (March 8-14) employees of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse and the FSA Congregational Office do a service project in honor of the Sisters. This year, the Motherhouse staff chose The Olean Pet Pantry, an offshoot of the Olean Food Pantry. The Congregational Office staff chose the Olean Baptist Church’s We Are His Hands program, which provides hygiene kits and food vouchers to people in need.
The kits include shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, laundry soap and more.
The Pet Pantry provides pet food for dogs and cats once a month.
Neither program is a stranger to the Franciscan Sisters. The Olean Food Pantry partners with Canticle Farm while the We Are His Hands program has received funding from the Lyle F. Renodin Foundation. Both the farm and the foundation are sponsored ministries of FSA.
| |
|
Donations of hygiene products may be dropped off in the Motherhouse lobby through March 14. The Pet Pantry project is in-house with Sisters and staff making cash donations.
Anyone who would like to contribute to these programs may find more information at https://oleanfoodpantry.org and https://oleanfirstbaptist.com.
| | |
|
Catholic Sisters Week is celebrated each year to highlight the spirituality, mission, and community building of women religious.
Other activities planned for the week are a Celebration Dinner featuring special guests St. Bonaventure University President Dr. Jeff Gingerich, Olean Mayor William Aiello, Father Michael Calabria and Brother Joe Kotula; a showing of the movie “Brother Sun, Sister Moon;” a Sisters/staff ice cream social; a Sister Tea Party with slideshow and video tributes; a “pray for peace” event; and a spa day with Dr. Sheri Droney.
| |
|
Newsletter Content Submission Deadline:
March 24th 2025 Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - March 21st 2025
April 14th 2025 Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - April 11th 2025
| | | | |
