In This Issue
Allegany Franciscans Website
FSA Jamaica Website
Like us on Facebook
 
UPCOMING MEETINGS
AND EVENTS 
 
Leadership Meetings
CL meeting Tuesday, Sept 25
 
Associate Advisory Committee
St. Clare, Tampa
Sept. 13-16
 
Assembly at Easton, PA
Sept. 21, 22, 23
 
Assembly in Florida
St. Joseph's Hospital, Tampa
October 6 and 7
 
FSA Board of Directors Meeting October 10-16, Allegany
 
Issue 6.17
September 10, 2018  
The Stigmata of Francis (September 17)

May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through it the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. I bear the brand marks of Jesus in my body. Brothers, may the favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (Galatians 6:14, 17-18)

On September 17, all Franciscans celebrate the feast of the Stigmata of Francis of Assisi. In celebrating this special feast we draw our readings from our Franciscan Lectionary. We invite you to read, reflect, and ponder the readings for this feast. The first reading is from Galatians 6: 14-18. The gospel is Luke 9:23-26.

Francis truly lived his life embracing the crucified Christ and being the presence of Christ for those who were poor, those who suffered from leprosy, and those who were cast aside and marginalized.
The image of Francis embracing the Christ of the San Damiano cross shows the connectiveness of his deep love in not only his embrace but in his gaze upon the face of Divine Love and by his left hand, which appears pierced and one with the right hand of Christ.

Let us hear Francis' joy in the words from Paul's letter to the Galatians, "I have been crucified with Christ. The life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me."

Happy Feast Day!


Farm to Table Dinner     
  Canticle Farm celebrated its annual Farm to Table Dinner on Saturday, September 8. Despite cooler temperatures and overcast skies, approximately 200 people attended the event, according to Farm President Sr. Melissa Scholl.
   In addition to the event's traditional four-course menu, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options were available for the first time. Guests were treated to live entertainment from the State Street Ramblers, and participated in a number of activities around the farm, including: guided farm tours, rock painting, labyrinth exploration, and a vegetable patch scavenger hunt.
   Popular activities from previous years, such as cooking demonstrations, were also included.
   More information and photos can be found in the next edition of Allegany Connections, to be released next week!
 
Remembrance of 9/11 
 
   Let us hold in our prayers all those who lost their lives in the tragedy of the events on September 11, 2001 in New York City and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We pray for their families and loved ones who continue to mourn and hold their memories. We especially remember Fr. Mychal Judge OFM, Holy Name Province, Fire Department Chaplain who was the first reported casualty at the Twin Towers in New York City.

Season of Creation

   The Season of Creation is in full swing, and you are invited to join the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in celebration!
   Kicking off on September 1 - the Day of Prayer for All Creation - the Season of Creation lasts until October 4 - the Feast Day of St. Francis. 
   In many traditions, St. Francis is recognized as the Patron Saint of Ecology. The season serves as a time of prayer and action centering around the protection of our Sister Mother Earth, and is celebrated in a variety of ways, including prayer services and projects to clean-up and beautify neighborhoods .
   The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany have taken to social media to recognize this important time. We have developed a special "Season of Creation" profile picture frame on Facebook and invite everyone to use it until October 4. Additionally, we are collecting photos of people, or groups of people, with this sign to signify our commitment to the environment.
   Are you planning an event for the Season of Creation? Let us know by emailing denise.bunk-hatch@fsallegany.org. Looking to participate in something locally? Events happening worldwide can be found here.

Sr. Barbara in Bolivia

   Sr. Barbara Bartkowiak has arrived in Bolivia, where she will be spending three months with our Sisters Elvira Donaldson and Maria Miranda. Sr. Barbara sent an update this weekend letting us know that she is getting settled:
   "I am doing well with the altitude. We plan to visit a small area to feed the children a meal. We have a lemon tree in the garden and many flowers. I will be fixing a Mexican omelette for the Sisters. I hope these three months go slowly!"
   We will share Sr. Barbara's updates, as well as any photos she may send, in future newsletters. A full recap of her time in Bolivia will be featured in an upcoming edition of Allegany Connections.

 Upcoming Days of Observance  
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 
 
September 26 marks the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. This day encourages a renewed commitment to nuclear disarmament throughout the world, recognizing the benefits of these efforts and the
consequences of their perpetuation.



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September 19, 2018 - Second edition e-newsletter