News and Events
Issue 2.1
January 13, 2014
In This Issue
Brazilians hold regional assembly
Brazilians celebrate renewal of vows
Sr. Anne gives thoughts on Pope Francis
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Happy New Year! 



Congregational Minister Margaret Mary Kimmins, OSF, and Associate Minister Margaret Magee, OSF, celebrated the New Year holiday in Brazil - here, some of our Brazilian sisters dance in celebration of 2014. 
Brazilian Sisters hold regional assembly  
Submitted by: Denise Bunk-Hatch, communications director 


   On December 26, 2013, sisters Margaret Mary Kimmins, OSF, and Margaret Magee, OSF, traveled to Brazil to attend the regional assembly.
 According to Margaret Mary, an effort is being made for leadership to attend each assembly in Brazil, to integrate Brazil more fully into the congregation. 
  The assembly's theme was "Christ our path", a theme that invited the sisters to contemplate their own path with Christ in their lives. 
According to Margaret Mary and Margaret, the Brazilians are very creative with their methods and quite productive during their assemblies, working closely to set various goals that actively include the Chapter 2012 initiatives, and saying prayer in a way that symbolizes them as one group of Franciscans who go out into the world but are never truly disconnected. 
   Leadership also said they had seen a great change in the sisters currently in formation in Brazil, noting that the formation group had grown as individuals and created relationships among themselves. 
   Upon returning to Allegany in early January, Margaret Mary and Margaret presented photos and stories from their trip to sisters at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. Their presentation was eagerly received and painted a bright and colorful picture of the congregation's sisters in South America. 
   More pictures from the sisters' time in Brazil can be seen on our Facebook page.

Brazilians celebrate renewal of vows  
Submitted by: Margaret Magee, OSF

   
   Congratulations to our sisters in temporary profession as they celebrate the annual renewal of their vows. 
   Pictured left to right: Regional Minister, Marinez; temporary professed Valdeci, Dayanne, Maria Donizete, Liliane, and Lilian Cristina; as well as Formation Director Julieta. 
Our thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with you!

 

Sr. Anne gives her thoughts on Pope Francis to The Tampa Tribune
Submitted by: Denise Bunk-Hatch, communications director
Taken (in part) with permission from The Tampa Tribune

   Pope Francis' election was named the top religious story of 2013, according to The Tampa Tribune. Anne Dougherty, OSF, shared some of her thoughts on the Pope in an interview with the newspaper: 

   The pope - the first Jesuit to lead the church - began with choosing as his namesake Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century patron saint of the poor. Sister Anne Dougherty of The Franciscan Center in Tampa says he's already living up to the saint's example.

   "For the last 800 years, St. Francis has influenced the church as being a church for the poor, and demanded that his followers live in humility and live in peace with our brothers and sisters and all of creation," she said.

   Though he lived in a time when popes commanded armies and church leaders lived like kings, Dougherty said, Francis of Assisi challenged the hierarchy to follow Jesus.

Pope Francis so far appears to have that same mission, she said.

 


Letter to religious superiors
Submitted by: Margaret Mary Kimmins, OSF

 

From:     Sr. Catherine Cleary, PBVM

              

Re:         World Day for Consecrated Life

               February 2, 2014

 

 Date:      January 4, 2014

 

   Religious in the United States hold in our persons and in our stories treasures far more valuable than any artifact.  Our gifts are from God's Spirit and we must make sure that they are not lost or squandered.  One way of doing this is celebrating World Day for Consecrated Life within your communities, parishes and congregational centers.  This year the day is observed on Sunday, February2nd..

    The gift of religious life in this Archdiocese lies in the diversity of charisms, lifestyles and ministries that contribute to the remarkable heritage and tradition we share as women and men religious.  One of the responsibilities as congregational leaders is to pass on the gift of religious life to the present and the future generations.

    Consecrated Life Sunday gives us the perfect opportunity to share with the laity who we are as women and men religious today. Since we are celebrating the 17th Anniversary of World day for Consecrated Life, is this not a gifted time to remember where we have come from and where we are today. Hopefully, you will have the opportunity to tell your story so that others might hear and respond to God's call in this new time.

    At this time, you may also want to pass on to your members Pope Francis' conversation with the major superiors of men this past November. The English title is Wake Up The World  and it can be downloaded from the internet.

   Promoting religious vocations is surely a major challenge in the 21st century.  Yet, discerning vocations, even in Jesus' day, was not easy. Let ust continue to spread the Good News so that others will take up the task of carrying our charisms into the future so that unmet needs may be addressed and the People of God served.

 


 FROM THE ARCHIVES: 

 

 

   Last time, I asked for some help identifying the sisters in a photograph from St. Elizabeth Academy (left). I'm happy to report that a few sisters responded to my request! Thank you, Sisters Janet Sullivan and Kathy Uhler, for lending me your eyes and memories!

   According to Sr. Janet, the picture was probably taken between December 1953 and March 1954. The sister standing behind the sled is Sr. Janet Sullivan. The sister seated on the sled is likely Sr. Eleanor (St. Cecilia) Magner, who left the Congregation in 1980.
 

   This month, I've unearthed a picture from Brazil that shows our sisters are never afraid to get their hands dirty! The caption on the back of this photo (at right) reads:

 

"If you want a higher wall on a real American barbeque pit, DO IT YOURSELF!" says Mother Conrad. Sister Natalia Maria helps collect the bricks.

 
   Does anyone have any more to add to the story behind this photo? Please write to me with any questions or comments at archives@fsallegany.org
   I also encourage you to check out these photos in the "From the Archives..." album on the Congregation's Facebook Page. Please feel free to comment and share your memories! Your stories will help the Archives paint a richer picture of your history!

 Retreat Opportunities
FRANCISCAN EVANGELICAL LIFE
Presented by: Andre Cirino, OFM; Ann Bremmer, OSF

Held at the Mount Alvernia Retreat Center
158 Delavergne Ave
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

July 6-11, 2014
$500 registration fee
845-297-5706
RELIGIOUS IN THE WORLD OF 2014
Presented by: Fr. Joseph Krastel, C.Ss.R.

Held at the Notre Dame Retreat House
5151 Foster Rd.
Canandaigua, NY 14424

July 13-18, 2014
$325 registration fee
585-394-5700