Volume 8.04 | February 24, 2020

In this Issue: Franciscan-Clarian Spirituality Committee First Profession of Sr. Eloenia Sr. Liliane Receives Degree Words to Live By luncheon News from Jamaica Socially Responsible Activity

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News from the Franciscan-Clarian Spirituality Committee By: Judith Terrameo, OSF

The Franciscan-Clarian Spirituality committee held its last meeting before Chapter at St. Clare Convent in Tampa, FL the weekend of February 14-16, 2020.  The committee completed the following agenda items: Reviewed its Annual Report which will be presented to Congregational Leadership on March 3, 2020. Judith Terrameo and Lucy Cardet will participate in this meeting on behalf of the committee. Reviewed the Franciscan-Clarian Spirituality committee information for the Chapter Report. Prepared the Saturday morning prayer for the upcoming Congregational Assemblies.  Formulated a list of recommendations for the next Franciscan-Clarian Spirituality committee. Created a Google Survey on the work of the committee over the past four-years. We invite you to use the Google Survey to send your feedback by February 29, 2020. Click on this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUSiXptBhuTvfIt8Y6V5dGWB6uWo63-SAu0lqULkW754SdhQ/viewform   We also invite you to watch for the Lent 2020 Reflections. These reflections will be out on Monday mornings of each week of Lent.   It has been a privilege of the members of this committee to work on behalf of the Congregation to support the Chapter statement which begins, “Ignited by the fire of the Spirit and our Allegany Franciscan-Clarian charism…”

Sr. Eloenia Makes First Profession Message from Eloenia Soares da Mota, OSF

On February 2, 2020, Eloenia Soares da Mota professed her first vows at Convento Mãe Admirável in Brazil. Below is a reflection from Sr. Eloenia. After two years of journeying in the Novitiate formation process, the day of my First Religious Profession in the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany arrived. The Eucharistic celebration took place on February 2, 2020, a special date for Consecrated Religious Life, presided by Fr.  Vilmar Rodrigues, OFM with Fr. Sebastião Romário Damas concelebrating.   My thanks turn to God who called me to life, and wants from me a more radical following of His Son as a Franciscan consecrated woman, in order to collaborate in the building of the Kingdom of God and spread the charism, according to the plan of our Seraphic father Francis and our founder, Mother Theresa, and her first companions.   I thank the Congregational and Regional Leadership who seek to support us by listening to our needs. I thank all the sisters of the Congregation, especially those who have helped me in this process, those who pray for the growth of young people in formation, and those who support and embrace the Congregational vocational program.   There were so many manifestations of affection, support, encouragement, messages, gifts that I received from many as well as those sisters who were able to mark with their presence on the day of my Religious Consecration.       I thank, especially my family and friends whose participation made this moment even more special and exciting. I'm immensely grateful to you all.          I reciprocate with my prayers. I expect to count on your continued prayers, asking God to grant me the grace of fidelity.

Sister Liliane Receives Nursing Degree Message from Liliane Araujo, OSF

Sr. Liliane Araujo graduated from the Centro Universitário de Anápolis – UniEvangélica on February 19, 2020 with a degree in nursing. Below is a message she sent for the congregation. Quoting Cora Coralina, "Knowing we learn from masters and books. Wisdom is learned from life and from those who are humble." And so it has been five years, learning from the masters who have always transmitted to me the best of their knowledge about science and life itself. The books have shown me that knowledge is infinite and that we can always resort to them as tools. But life has taught me great lessons throughout the journey. The humble, on the other hand, teach me daily, during every shift in the hospital. I learn from the poorest of the poor, those who lack the power to acquire what they need yet pay us with their gratitude. During these five years I was able to count on people who have always been there for me: my communities where I have lived, my family who in spite of the distance, have supported me, the Congregation and every team member of the Santa Casa. I've learned and continue to learn a lot from all the those around me. The feeling I have in my heart is and will always be one of Gratitude. Being a Nurse is this, to be grateful to God for every encounter, every procedure, and for every human being we serve throughout each shift. The body asks for rest, but the heart is filled with joy at being able to help people. My gratitude, as well, to all my patients and their families.   I shall always thank you the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, for everything.

Franciscan Center 50th Anniversary Celebration "Words to Live By" luncheon Taken from a Press Release

As part of its 50 th  Anniversary Celebration, the Franciscan Center is hosting the inaugural “Words to Live By” luncheon fundraiser on Wednesday, March 25, 12 p.m. at the Franciscan Center, Tampa Florida. Keynote Speaker for this inaugural event is Sister Margaret Mary Kimmins OSF,  speaking on “Responding to God’s Call – Then, Now and Beyond”. Sr Margaret Mary is the Congregational Minister of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, an intercultural Congregation ministering in Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica, the United States and soon to be in Mozambique. . She will share stories of the rich heritage of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, their charism, mission and their Franciscan-Clarian spirituality. Sr. Margaret will reveal the vision of the Congregation and their desire to build a global community based on the values of justice, peace, dignity of the human person and being sister and brother to all creation. While on a recent pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy, Franciscan Center CEO Wendy Leigh heard Sister Kimmins speak on the history and heritage of the Franciscan Sisters. While on a recent pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy, Franciscan Center CEO Wendy Leigh , heard Sr Margaret Mary speak on the history and heritage of the Franciscan Sisters “I was so inspired by Sister’s speech and the five areas of focus that she spoke of – serving marginalized communities, ending racism, controlling firearms, stopping human trafficking, and saving the planet — that I wanted her to share it with our community, to show the Sisters’ relevance to our modern world, and to allow those in Tampa to understand the connection we have locally to these amazing, forward-thinking Franciscan Sisters. That night, I asked Sr Margaret Mary if she would replicate her talk for our luncheon,” Wendy Leigh also commented, “I know that people in Tampa will be similarly inspired by her message.” Individual tickets for this 50th Anniversary Event are $135; tables, with seating for up to eight, are $1,000. For more information and ticket reservations, call the Franciscan Center office: 813.229.2695, or email  info@franciscancentertampa.org. Sponsorships are available by contacting Vicky McCarthy at 813.229.2695 or via email,    vicky@franciscancentertampa.org The Franciscan Center, 3010 N. Perry Ave., Tampa, FL 33603, is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), private retreat house sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY with the mission of providing the community with a place of peace, growth and wellness for the body, mind and soul. More information about the Center, upcoming retreat and events, and booking the venue is available by calling 813.229.2695, visiting  FranciscanCenterTampa.org, or emailing  info@franciscancentertampa.org.

News from Jamaica

New Venture at Immaculate Conception Preparatory School On Monday, January 27, 2020 at 8:15 a.m. the Franciscan Sisters, the Board of Management, Parents and Staff , and students of Immaculate Conception Preparatory school gathered at the Assembly area for special prayers followed by the opening and blessing of the newly-renovated building which will now serve as the Pre-School.    The Board had decided during the past academic year, in response to the challenge from the Ministry of Education to begin formal education earlier, that the school would begin admitting students from age three. This would also provide a feeder for the present kindergarten classes and was seen as an opportunity to begin inculcating Franciscan and Gospel values to the children and through them to their homes.   The Prayer and Blessing done by Rev. Kingsley Asphall, who interacted well with the young ones, was inspirational and refreshing. Another New Venture Being Considered     Three Jamaican Servite Sisters living in Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica, made a formal request of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany community residing at the Immaculate Conception Convent to move into some space in that Convent on a permanent basis. There are only three of them on the island and as they are experiencing health issues and the aging process, they asked to rent a space where they could live and feel comfortable and to a certain extent secure.   They met with the Community and verbally stated their request. They were asked to flesh out their proposal in writing, giving options. On the receipt of the written proposal, the Immaculate Conception Community met with Sister Odette, Congregational Leadership liaison with Jamaica, on Monday, January 27, 2020. The decision was taken at the end of the meeting to continue the conversation to work out the details as it was agreed that the Community was open to the proposal.

Socially Responsible Activity By: Gloria Oehl OSF

A proposal was made to the Securities and Exchange Commission (hereafter referred to as the SEC) to amend a Rule which would limit the ability of investors to file resolutions to be considered at a corporation’s annual meeting. The ability to file corporate resolutions is one way that we can fulfill our commitment to be active and engaged investors in some shares of stock that we hold as owners of these corporations. In a letter to the Secretary of the SEC, I included the following: The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany NY have an investment portfolio to finance the needs and priorities of our community, and we believe as long-term investors in public companies, we have a responsibility to actively engage with companies in our portfolio about the impacts of their business on environmental, social, and governance issues that are aligned with our institution’s values. As Franciscan Sisters of Allegany NY, we are called to promote the liberation of persons and the integrity of creation as we share in the building of a world of justice, love and peace . Because we believe that engaging with companies on these issues promotes corporate action that benefits all stakeholders and the rule change would limit these benefits, we asked the SEC to withdraw the rulemaking proposal. The deadline for submitting comments on this new rule was February 6 th and we are awaiting the final decision.  In addition, I vote what is called a proxy (which includes stockholder proposals) for shareholders to have their voice heard at the corporate annual meetings and reviewed proxy voting reports that were received from other portfolio managers of our invested funds.