In this Issue:
Congratulations, Jubilarians!
Canticle Farm Honored for 20th Anniversary
Linda Dees Reflects on the Border
Investor Working with IASJ Files Resolution with Tyson
In Memory
|
|
|
Congratulations, Jubilarians! |
|
(from left to right: Sr. Maria Angela Ferreira, Sr. Pat Reid, Sr. Maria Isa Batista)
'
In August, our Sisters in Brazil celebrated their Jubilarians:
60 Years
Sr. Maria Angela Ferreira OSF
Sr. Patricia Reid OSF
65 Years
Sr. Maria Isa Batista OSF
Congratulations, Sisters, and blessings as you continue to live out God’s call in your lives!
|
|
Senator Borrello Recognizes Canticle Farm on Its 20th Anniversary
Taken from a Press Release issued by Sen. Borrello's Office
|
|
Senator George Borrello presented Canticle Farm President Sister Melissa Scholl, OSF, with a Senate Proclamation recognizing the 20th anniversary of the community-sponsored farm in Allegany. “As ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I have visited farms and agribusinesses across New York. I can tell you that Canticle Farm is unique,” Sen. Borrello said. “Canticle Farm is supported by folks who care about where their food comes from and how it is grown. All the planting and harvesting is done with care by hand.
“The produce is 100 percent organic and 20 percent of everything harvested at Canticle Farm is given to local food pantries. This is sustainable agriculture that is truly fresh, safe and local.”
Canticle Farm is a community-supported agriculture vegetable farm sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. Supporters buy shares to support the farm in return for fresh produce.
“I just think that it’s wonderful that Canticle Farm, a dream that started with the Allegany Franciscans, has taken hold in the community and with the help of our supporters is now celebrating its 20th anniversary,” Sister Melissa said.
Farm Manager Mark Printz has been with the farm from the beginning. He said offering the best, healthful produce possible is the goal of Canticle Farm. Pesticides are never used and the farm is proud of its organic produce.
“In farming, it’s not always what you do, but what you don’t do that matters,” he said.
Canticle Farm has always focused on giving to the community and helping its neighbors struggling with food insecurity.
“From the very beginning, the farm’s mission included donating produce to those in need. Community care and responsibility are at the very heart of Canticle Farm, which is why the farm and its members are so deserving of our thanks and recognition,” Sen. Borrello said.
The farm, located on Nine Mile Road in Allegany also includes a retail Farm Market at 3809 Old State Road in Allegany. The Farm Market is open to the public on Tuesday and Friday from noon to 6 p.m. from June 15 to Oct. 5. In addition to Canticle Farm produce, organic products from local vendors are offered including eggs, beef, chicken, pork, cheese, maple syrup, honey, jams and kimchi.
The farm also has an education program to help members and others grow their own produce. The New York Farm Bureau has recognized Canticle Farm’s community education program for helping members of the community prepare meals using the farm’s produce.
“This is a community agriculture model that works due to the dedication of Sister Melissa, Mark Printz and everyone who supports Canticle Farm,” Sen. Borrello said.
|
|
My Trip to the Border
By: Linda Dees, Allegany Associate
|
|
I know some of you were concerned about my trip to the border and I guess rightly so; because while I was there, I was swindled, astonished, threatened, received an offer of affection and even deception was involved, but let me explain…
First, I was swindled out of more crayons by those beautiful, smiling, little sun kissed faces! One of my favorite things to do was to distribute crayons and coloring pages to the “wee ones,” or should I say “niños.” They were understandably bored and so delighted to have something to do. Some days we literally had thousands of people come through the Respite Center and many with more than one child, so to avoid running out I would tell them they may have “uno” - one. I did however let them choose their favorite color, as I felt that it was important for them to at the very least have a choice. Let’s just say that ultimately some ended up with a few more than “uno!”
I might just as well confess right now that I was the one who was deceptive. While there, I sometimes worked in what was known as the pharmacy. This area provided items that individuals might need, for example a toothbrush, diapers, milk or a comb, etc., as well as a few over the counter cold relief items. Be assured, I did not work the cold relief side. Back to my deception, you see the travelers would approach and in what I assume to be in great detail, proceed to tell me exactly what they needed. I would listen intently, thinking to myself “these poor people don’t realize that I had to drop Spanish back in 9th grade because I just couldn’t grasp it,” and so after they pleaded their cause I’d have to tell them that I’m sorry, but I didn’t speak Spanish. The look on their face was often priceless. Most were like “you’ve got to be kidding,” in a surprised, but not upset way. Again, I’m thinking to myself “you people give me way too much credit!” Luckily, we had a cheat sheet that listed available items in both Spanish and English so that they could point to and help me to understand what they needed. They were so beautiful about telling the person behind them that I didn’t know Spanish, or I assume that’s what they were saying…and then they would show them the cheat sheet and even stay to assist if necessary. On that note, I must tell you about my first time at the pharmacy counter. This young woman asked me for leche, which by some miracle my mind told me meant milk. You should have seen me looking for the refrigerator! I knew that I didn’t remember seeing one. So, I asked another volunteer who proceeded to hand me a bag of what looked to be white powder, aka powdered milk. Did I ever feel silly, as well as humbled! What was I thinking?! Needless to say, I spent a lot of time scooping leche and laughing at myself looking for a refrigerator that first time that I worked the pharmacy counter. One might think that packing diapers, baby wipes, or leche into Ziploc bags, or opening literally hundreds of boxes of toothpaste, baby wipes, or crayons is a mundane job, but I didn’t find that to be my experience. Not being able to understand the lively Spanish conversations going on around me, I spent my time blessing the person that sent whatever it was that I was unpacking and repacking for individual use.
On behalf of the migrants and volunteers, I want to thank all of you for your prayerful support, as well as for the items and monies you have already and continue to donate to the cause. Believe me when I tell you that it goes out as fast as it comes in! To those who sent or gave me money personally, I can tell you that each of you are responsible for my buying more baby bottles than I’ve ever seen used and more underpants than I’ve probably ever owned. At one point, I was astonished to discover that the town literally ran out of baby bottles! Know that I spent my packing time praying for whomever would receive the items, all of you my family and friends, as well as my new friends and co-volunteers. The months before my arrival I anticipated what this experience might be like, but little did I know that these tedious and repetitive tasks would give me such a sense of satisfaction, just knowing that the pharmacy line would move a bit faster due to my efforts. My hostess, Sr. Mary and I even took to bringing items home to pack while watching the Olympics, knowing that the next day would flow more smoothly because of the items that were ready. Now about that offer of romance and affection … One of the other volunteers said that “they could kiss me” when I handed them… of all things, a laundry basket full of diapers bagged by size. Full disclosure, there was no kiss, but the love was truly felt!
I have been asked for details about the migrants that came through daily. I can tell you that at the Respite Center in McAllen, they came as family units from various countries. In my experience, I always found each to be very patient and grateful, humble and quiet. On several occasions I had the opportunity to work directly with some of the migrants. There was so much to do and at different times of the day, volunteers were sometimes limited. The migrants were quick to eagerly volunteer to help whenever asked. One morning, three of us worked side-by-side making hundreds of sandwiches that were bagged with snacks to accompany each on their journeys by bus or airplane, as they left to go join their families or sponsors across the United States. I mimed the directions and then together we completed the tasks with abundant smiles and laughter, while not knowing a word of one another’s languages. I did learn from a Spanish speaking volunteer that these two women in particular had been neighbors in Guatemala and it had taken them almost a month to come from their country of origin.
I may have been in an unfamiliar town, walking most places and working in a place full of ever-changing migrants, but I’m happy to tell you that the only threat I perceived was the same as what each of you have experienced over this past year or so…, Covid. I guess that is to be expected with so many people in one place and Covid being rampant most everywhere. Once the Covid pandemic is over or at the very least under much better control, I would whole-heartedly recommend anyone who feels called to go and give of your time at the border, to do just that.
I did not go to the border to invite people into our country, nor to support one political view or another. I went to try and better understand the situation and to meet a flesh and blood need right in front of me. I went because I saw those children in cages and refused to stand by and just do nothing. In whatever way you feel called and are able, I encourage you to “do something!” I continue to try and educate myself, as well as pray for all, knowing that I will probably be processing this experience for many years to come. I am grateful to my Allegany Sisters for making this possible, for Sr. Mary for hosting me in her home, and for all who supported me in these efforts. Your prayers and encouragement made all the difference to me and were tangibly felt.
If any of you ever get near Mission, TX do yourself a favor and go to Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Father Roy is a true cowboy. You’re sure to hear a country song or two, share liturgy with at least a few dogs and perhaps even a donkey or alpaca or two, as well as hear the most down to earth homily ever. Father Roy and his parish are big supporters of the migrants and though he is an Oblate, I think he is perhaps a true Franciscan at heart because he truly is a brother to all.
Oh…and lastly, if you were thinking of volunteering but like me, you are concerned with not knowing “a lick of Spanish,” do not worry one little bit, as I’m sure that you too are fluent in love.
|
|
Investor Working With IASJ Files Resolution for Racial Equity Audit at Tyson Foods |
|
An Investor working with Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ), of which the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany are an active participant, has filed a resolution with Tyson Foods for consideration at their next annual meeting in early 2022.
The resolution cites inequity among Tyson's workers of color, resulting in outbreaks of COVID, racial harassment, and lack of advancement opportunity as the basis for the request for a racial equity audit at the company. This audit would be in line with similar assessments completed at companies such as Facebook and Airbnb.
To read the full text of the resolution, click here. |
|
Sr. Maria Goretti Lowe
Date of Birth: August 6, 1929
Entered Eternal Life: July 13, 2021
|
|
Sr. Anne Lillis
Date of Birth: March 27, 1940
Entered Eternal Life: August 26, 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
