Regina Gabriel, assistant organist at St. Francis in Bradford and organist at Presbyterian Church in Bradford, were all welcomed to provide music at the event. Regina also teaches at the University of Pitt at Bradford.

   A video of Congregational Minister Margaret Mary Kimmins, OSF's blessing is available here.

   As followers of Francis and Clare, I daresay we never seem to tire reading yet another book about them.

   Looking to St. Francis - the Man from Assisi and His Message of Hope for Today by John Bohrer and Joseph Stoutzenberger affords us with both a fresh look at Francis, as well as challenging us "to examine our own following of Jesus in light of Francis' commitment."

   The text engages the reader from the first chapter, The Allure of St. Francis, using a style of "lively back-and-forth exchange between the message of this medieval saint and the questions facing our church today."

   In addition to all of its inherent value, this book also holds for us - the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany - a personal connection in its very brief but beautiful dedication by John Bohrer, a Camden diocesan priest. It reads:

"For those who have shown me Franciscan hospitality:

Rosemarie Kolmer, OSF, Fr. Terry M. Odien, and Bishop Joseph A. Galante"

   We could say that in honoring our sister, Rosemarie, we have all been honored because hopefully where one of us is, so also are we all, rejoicing in one another's joys and gifts, as well as supporting one another at times of sorrow and burdens.  

By: Rose Bernhardt, OSF

My reflection on peace embraced relationships - my relationship with God, with others and all of creation.  The song, Peace is Flowing Like a River, came to my mind which placed me in a beautiful, peaceful setting where I looked out upon the water flowing down stream.  While sitting there I pondered the words of the song:

     "Peace is flowing like a river,

     flowing out of you and me,

     flowing out into the desert,

     setting all the captives free."

   My reflection follows:

   Peace flows out of you and me and touches all who are in relationship with us/me.  This peace in us/me which comes from my relationship with a loving God, flows into the lives of the people of God who are captives in many and varied ways are set free.  It is a loving God who gives us peace, and we are the instruments God uses to draw others out of fear, darkness, doubt, anguish etc.

   We, in the Ritiro, met for the January Sabbath Rest on January 20. I personally was very distracted, preoccupied, restless, and feeling impatient. Try as I might I couldn't get into the prayer. Toward the end, before the final sharing, when I felt it should already be over, I opened my eyes, looked around, and realized everyone else seemed to be there (wherever there is) deep in prayer.

   Just observing the Sisters 'being present to God' relaxed me enough to allow the Spirit to also draw me into that same Sabbath rest.

   I can't remember what anyone shared. But perhaps the words weren't as important as the experience of being in God together and becoming, in God, the peace we dare to image.

By: Helen Roberts, OSF

   The blessings of the Sabbath tent during the month of January were a gift from God. The beauty of winter "peace" was overwhelming. Having been through the death of my oldest sister, Rita, before Christmas, God blessed me with a snowstorm to keep me indoors and use the time and beauty for "sabbath."
   The theme of "peace" and the scripture readings were gifts of inward contemplation, time to reflect on life,death and resurrection. Resurrection is a "new rising, new vision, new life, new Gospel witness".

   At this month's Archives presentation, the sisters had a wonderful discussion of the many ministries in Florida in which they had participated over the years. In addition to several hospitals, the Allegany Franciscans ran 15 separate schools. This picture is from one of those schools: Corpus Christi in Miami. Taken in the 1950s, the picture shows an unidentified sister teaching a very large class. The sisters said that large class sizes were not unusual in those days; in fact, many sisters remember teaching classes with more than 60 students!