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Did you know that a daily reflection is posted on our Facebook page, or that it is also shared with a Portuguese translation by our Sisters in Brazil? Take a look! 
Issue 4.12
June 27, 2016
 As we prepare to celebrate our country's freedom with the celebration of the 4th of July, let us reflect on the words of the prophet Hosea, 

"I will espouse you to me forever: 
I will espouse you in right and in justice, in love and in mercy..."

Hosea's words call to mind the values upon which our country was founded. The Statue of Liberty is the Mother of Exiles greeting millions of immigrants, embodying hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life.

May we work to bring wholeness, goodness, dignity, justice, and mercy to all people.

Focus on Francis - Humility
By: Arlene McGannon, Vice President of Mission, St. Joseph's Hospital
This is the next installment in a series of reflections distributed by Arlene to St. Joseph's Team Members. 

   Francis was a very humble man. In our world today, we have lost sight of the true meaning of humility. We tend to view it as a negative quality, as weakness, as being non-assertive. But true humility arises from knowing who I am in the sight of God -- no more, no less. When I fully understand and accept how much God loves me, and how in need I am of that love, I will understand humility.
   One of Francis' followers, Friar Masseo, once asked Francis why it was that people were drawn to him. Masseo basically said, "You're not handsome or well educated. Why do people pay attention to you?" Francis replied that God chose him because he had the most faults! He connected with people because he understood that he was no better than they, that he was among them as a "lesser brother," as a servant.
   Whom are you being called to serve today, in a spirit of genuine humility?
 
50th Anniversary of the Franciscan Federation 
By: Margaret Magee OSF

   Allegany Franciscan Sisters, and Associate Kathy Doyle, were among the 250 participants gathered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Franciscan Federation.
    The theme of the conference, "Fifty  Years of God's Love and Mercy", were highlighted in the presentations of former Federation Presidents, Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF (Frankfort, Illinois) and Edna Michel OSF (Tiffin, Ohio). Keynote Fr. David Couturier, OFM Cap, focused on the challenges of the future in his presentation, Naked in the Public Square: Millennials and the Hopes for a New Franciscan Economy. All presentations are available on the Franciscan Federation website.
    The 2016 Resolution for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) was ratified by the conference members, and can be seen below:
   Resolution on Gun Violence:
   "Choose Life so that you and your descendant may live"...Dt.30:19
Statement of Resolution: Be it resolved that we, as members of the Franciscan Federation, upholding the inherent dignity of all human life and our willingness to embrace the common good, in the tradition of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, denounce all forms of Gun Violence that is tearing apart the social fabric of society and leaving children dead on our streets and families afraid in their homes. St. Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and spoke the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationships with one another. We pledge to work for the elimination of gun violence by committing ourselves to respect for life by cultivating a culture of life that explores nonviolent living and to advocate for each individual, family, school, and neighborhood so that our communities can once again become places of peace and beacons of life movements.
   A printable copy of the Federation JPIC Resolution for 2016 is available on the website, www.franfed.org.  Click on the AFC tab and scroll down to JPIC Resolution 2016 to read the Background, Rationale, the Call to Respond.
 
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: AFC 2017, June 16 - 19, 2017 in Buffalo, New York
                                      AFC 2018, June 12 - 15, 2018 in Buffalo, New York
 
Ritiro Community holds prayer service for Orlando
By: Beth McGinnis, OSF

   On Thursday, June 16, 2016, the Ritiro Community of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany held a prayer vigil for those killed and injured at the nightclub shooting in Orlando, FL, on June 11. The event was a way of being in solidarity with those who were killed and others affected by the shooting in Orlando. The Ritiro chapel was open to anyone who wished to join Sisters for a time during the hour of contemplative prayer for peace and healing.  There were appropriate hymns and Sr. Pat Reid shared a short reflection. The service closed with our praying together the Peace Prayer of St. Francis.

Sister Joan Carberry receives award
By: Kathleen Stagnaro, OSF

   This past week at a banquet for Catholic School Administrators, Sister Joan Carberry, OSF, was honored with the "Catholic Cornerstone Award". This special presentation from the Diocese of St. Petersburg Office of Catholic Schools is in recognition of Sister Joan's incalculable contributions to the cause of Catholic Education especially at St Paul School.  The plaque also states, "...for Sister Joan's continued commitment to Catholic Education and to the charism of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany."  The FSA's have been ministering at St Paul School and Parish since 1930.  Pictured with Sister Joan is the District Superintendent Elizabeth Fulham Agresta.

From the Communications Department: 

   There is only one month until Chapter 2016 - can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday we were sending out the very first Chapter Planning Committee newsletter. 
   With Chapter in mind, we will be changing the deadline and release date for the second July edition of the e-newsletter. Instead of coming out on Monday, July 25 - the opening day of Chapter - the second edition will come out the previous Friday, July 22. The deadline for that edition will be moved one day ahead to Tuesday July 19.  The August newsletter dates will remain the same. 
   Thank you for your attention to this alternate schedule!



Upcoming deadlines: 

July 6, 2016 - First edition e-newsletter
July 19, 2016 - Second edition e-newsletter