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Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY | | |
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The heavens are telling the glory of God
and all creation is shouting for joy.
~~ Marty Haugen
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Jamaica Schools 100th Anniversary
By Sr. Lorraine Chen, OSF
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A jubilant atmosphere prevailed as the clergy, many distinguished guests, school personnel, past and present students, parishioners, and visitors gathered on January 26 at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Montego Bay, Jamaica, to celebrate the founding in the year 1925 of three educational institutions by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.
They are Chetwood Memorial Primary School, Mt. Alvernia Preparatory School, and Mt. Alvernia High School.
The celebrant of the liturgy was the Most Reverend John Persaud, D.D., Bishop of Mandeville, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Montego Bay. Concelebrating was the Most Reverend Kenneth Richards, D.D., C.D., Archbishop of Kingston.
The beautiful singing was led by the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral choir with other renditions: Your Grace & Mercy/Goodness of God by Chetwood Memorial Primary, Beautiful Day/There’s a Roof by Mt. Alvernia Prep, and Thankful by Mt. Alvernia High School.
The inspirational homily was delivered by Bishop Persaud who said that for every Catholic school to be truly Catholic, it should be founded on three pillars: 1. The Word of God 2. The Magisterium of the Church 3. The Sacramental Life of the Church.
He continued to say that this unity will ensure that education leads to the beauty of wisdom by accepting and feeling our desire to know truth and to see reality for what it is. Through such an education, we allow Christ to be placed at the center and to be the Light that shines on all.
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Greetings were expressed by the following officials:
• Most Rev. Kenneth Richards, D.D., C.D., Archbishop of Kingston
• Councilor Richard Vernon, Mayor of Montego Bay
• Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information
• Dr. Horace Chang, Deputy Prime Minister
Past student, Marline Stephenson Dalley, chairperson of the Centennial Committee, announced the appeal for three legacy projects. Mt. Alvernia Preparatory School is planning to expand its facilities by adding three classrooms, a library, and additional sanitary conveniences; Mt. Alvernia High School is undertaking a much-needed refurbishing of the school’s auditorium, as well as purchasing a generator; while at Chetwood Memorial Primary School, there is the need for a pavilion with stands to house the students for sports and other activities.
They are, indeed, planning for the next hundred years as they work toward achieving their theme: A Century of Stars: Illuminating the Future!
The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany were special guests at this celebration. The presence of Congregational Leadership was acknowledged, as well as the Franciscan Sisters who live in Jamaica and who were all at the celebration with the exception of Sr Greta. A few of the Partners in Mission from Kingston were also in attendance.
The lively liturgy concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. The Sending Hymn, O Praise Ye the Lord, was written by Noel Dexter, a Jamaican composer. This was followed by a delicious brunch, with the traditional cake-cutting.
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You can read more in the article from The Jamaica Gleaner: |
and Catholic Opinion Online (PDF) |
You can watch too the Centennial Celebration Mass of Thanksgiving | | | | |
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Following up on Catholic Schools Week, Sister Judith Terrameo was one of the guests of Southern Tier Catholic School during their celebration. (If you’re wondering about the fabulous hats, it was Crazy Hat Day.) | | |
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The celebration began with a proclamation from Olean Mayor William Aiello officially recognizing Catholic Schools Week, setting the tone for a week filled with engaging activities including Silly Sock Day, breakfast treats with families and St. Bonaventure men’s (the heart-stopper against Fordham) and women’s basketball games.
A key highlight of the week was the visit from Diocese of Buffalo Bishop Michael Fisher, who spent quality time with the students, engaging in meaningful conversations and offering his support for Catholic education.
In other school news, St. Paul Catholic School in St. Petersburg will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of laying of the school’s cornerstone on Valentine’s Day. We’ll have more information about the school, and pictures from the celebration, in our next newsletter.
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Our sisters in Brazil put together a lovely video in recognition of the World Day for Consecrated Life on Feb. 2. It’s sure to bring you joy. | | | |
St. Joseph Hospital-South 10th Anniversary
St. Joseph Hospital-South celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this month.
When the hospital opened in 2015 it had 90 licensed beds. It now has 223. It started with 724 team members and now has 1,442. In the last 10 years doctors have performed 43,522 surgeries, going from 2,007 in 2015 to 5,606 in 2024.
Also, 13,775 babies have been born at the hospital, 616 in 2015; 2,081 in 2024. Babies born on February 2 received a teddy bear and families received a congratulatory card noting their child’s birth on the hospital’s 10th birthday.
Sister Pat Shirley, who is a board member of St. Joseph’s Hospitals, was among the speakers during the anniversary celebration.
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Prayer for Christian Unity
By Anne Holliday, Communications Coordinator
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If you ever wondered why Pontius Pilate is the only human mentioned in the Nicaean Creed, Father David Couturier, OFM, Cap., had an answer during the annual Prayer for Christian Unity and Ecumen Awards ceremony last week at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse.
The annual Prayer for Christian Unity is held in conjunction with the World Council of Churches. This year marks the 1,700th anniversary of the First Christian Ecumenical Council (Nicaea), when Emperor Constantine invited about 300 Christian bishops from the Roman Empire to discuss and agree on issues concerning theology and church structure.
Fr. David, who is the executive director of the Franciscan Institute and Franciscan Institute Publications, reflected on the first Council of Nicaea and said one of the things the bishops discussed was that God couldn’t be understood, but he should be adored.
Fr. David said a new world view was born from the council and focus changed from might to mercy, and to helping the weak and vulnerable.
A significant portion of Fr. David’s sermon focused on the inclusion of Pontius Pilate in the Nicaean Creed.
The “creed is a very compact and concise statement,” he said. “No other human person is mentioned except Mary, Jesus’s mother, and Pontius Pilate. There is no mention of Peter, James, or John. There is no word about Mary Magdalene, who first saw and announced Him as Risen. Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, is not a witness in the primal text of Christian identity. But Pilate is in the creed in a very explicit way.”
By the time the creed was being written, he continued, “Christians and Jews would certainly have remembered the shameful actions of Pilate, Herod, Caiphas, along with the apostles who ran away. So, why remember Pontius Pilate and not Judas Iscariot?”
The inclusion of Pontius Pilate was meant to remind Christians that they are all subject to “the whims and fancies of narcissistic leaders.” The challenge is to figure out how people can move forward together.
In welcoming people to the gathering, Franciscan Sisters of Allegany local minister Sr. Judith Terrameo said the Motherhouse is a place of belonging and diversity, where all are welcome, and all are loved.
Symbolizing that thought, Sr. Judith, Fr. David and GOAC Executive Board members Rev. Carrie Wolfe of the Upper New Conference of the United Methodist Church and Motherhouse pastoral care director; Rev. Dr. Bruce Levine of the First Presbyterian Church; Rev. Kim Rossi of St. Stephen’s Episcopal and Bethany Lutheran churches; Della Moore of the African American Center for Cultural Development; Sharon Anthony of the First Baptist Church; and Capt. Elisha Moretz of the Salvation Army lit candles to celebrate “our common faith (and) our common light.”
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The Greater Olean Association of Churches presented the Ecumen Awards to the Miriam Center for Hope and Healing, We Are His Hands, and the Olean Pet Food Pantry.
In presenting the awards, GOAC president Carrie Wolfe noted that they are thankful for the work the current and past awardees are doing and are grateful that new organizations continue to spring up to help their neighbors in the Greater Olean Area.
The Miriam Center for Hope and Healing provides a comfortable setting where people find support and treatment for healing and growth, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. In accepting the award, Mary Plonka said the center has grown far more than the founders imagined it would, proving that there is a need for it in the community.
We Are His Hands is a food voucher and hygiene kit program run by the Olean First Baptist Church in Olean. Rev. Ivan Crossno praised the volunteers who organize the items given away, and said the program helps people to keep their dignity.
The Olean Pet Food Pantry provides pet food and other necessities for dogs and cats. Rev. Kim Rossi said the pet food pantry started during the Covid pandemic when someone said, “The pets need help. Do something. So we did.”
Pianist and vocalist Marcia Falvey provided lovely and inspirational music for the event, including the musical meditation “Many Gifts, One Spirit” by Alan Pote.
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You can download a PDF of Fr. David’s sermon here: | | |
"Service Above Self" Award Given to Franciscan Sisters
The Olean Rotary Club will present its seventh-annual "Service Above Self" Award to the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany at a dinner on April 8.
In announcing the award the Rotary Club said, “Just one example of the impact the Sisters have had is, for more than two decades, the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany have ensured local mothers had enough clothing, diapers and necessities to care for their babies and toddlers during the holidays and new year through the Shower for Mary.”
Last year’s Shower for Mary collections went toward “Welcome to the Neighborhood Bags” for babies born at Olean General Hospital.
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Upcoming Season for Canticle Farm | |
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Canticle Farm is sharing some updates on the upcoming season as well as market renovation.
CSA shares are available on the farm’s website. Payment plans are available, as are two different size options. They are also bringing back the participating share option, now called the Hands-On Share.
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All share varieties and deposits can be purchased at... | |
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Market building renovations are going well. An insulated floor has been installed in the small office room. The next project will be electrical upgrades, then a second round of floor work.
The Olean Area Farmers Market is hosting an indoor winter market at the Canticle Farm market building through March 15. The farm is selling potatoes, onions, garlic, winter squash, daikon radishes, and more.
Farm personnel say that there’s no better place to be on a cold sunny day than in the high tunnels surrounded by the beautiful green and purple colors of the kale, beet greens and spinach. Other vendors include
Country Honey, Winey Shepherds, Brookside Maple Farm, Mascho Homestead Farms, Rolling Scones Baking Company, and Mindfully Holistic tea and coffee blends.
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FSA Archives Research Visitor
St. Elizabeth Motherhouse had a special guest this past week. Dr. Ramon Luzarraga, associate professor of theology and religious studies at St. Martin’s University near Seattle, Washington, was doing research on Caribbean theology from the Catholic point of view and went through our archives, concentrating on schools in Jamaica.
Anna Perkins, an alumna of Immaculate Conception and currently a professor at the University of the West Indies, is his research partner.
One of the facets of his research is concentrating on how orders presented their mission plans to their donors versus the people they pastored. “The Allegany Franciscans did a very good job of presenting the same face to all sides,” he said.
He was also researching how the Sisters worked with local governments and local church leadership, and how Caribbean theology responded to the missions.
Looking through the archives is allowing him to find “first person voices from people who worked on the ground.”
Next month Ramon will be staying with Sisters in Jamaica to continue his research.
He has already given the Sisters in Allegany a presentation about his work and plans to give more. He also said after he and Anna complete their work, he will provide copies of the finished product to the Sisters.
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Catholic Sisters Week is coming up March 8-14.
Traditionally, both the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse and Congregational Office staffs do a service project in honor of the Sisters.
Activities are planned throughout the week as well.
We’ll have more in our next newsletter,
but wanted to remind you it’s coming up.
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Newsletter Content Submission Deadline:
February 24th 2025 Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - February 21st 2025
March 10th 2025 Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - March 7th 2025
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