Congregational Minister - Margaret Magee OSF

Associate Minister - Melissa Scholl OSF

Councilor - Josephine Streva OSF

Councilor - Gwen Melhado OSF

Although Chapter 2021 was held in a virtual format due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Sisters of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse came together to thank the outgoing leadership team when Chapter concluded on August 1, 2021.

Sisters gathered in the Motherhouse Meeting Room on Sunday evening to eat, laugh, and honor those Sisters who served the Congregation in elected leadership from 2016 to 2021 - Sisters Margaret Mary Kimmins, Margaret Magee, Odette Haddad, and Pat Klemm - with a special gift of thanks.

It was a joyful time of togetherness, gratitude, and love for all who attended.

Thank you for your service, Sisters!

The House of Prayer also provides a living space or hermitage for Kathie and Barbara Bartkowiak OSF, her companion. Among other activities they pray for peace and reconciliation twice a day from 8:00 to 9:00 AM and 4:00 to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday. They encourage others to join them at these hours wherever they are for a moment of prayer. The public is also welcomed to join them at these times in the Prayer Room of the House of Prayer. The mission is a collaboration of Trinity parish, the board of the House of Prayer, and the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany      

Read more about the House of Prayer here. (It is the second article on the page)

No, I’m not finished thinking or talking about the trip to San Antonio to work with unaccompanied youth arrived at the border. So many images keep reoccurring in my mind and heart. For example…

It was a typical afternoon in the Coliseum - pods moving about, soccer balls flying, movie blasting, boys looking for craft materials to fill up the hours of boredom stretching before them.  I was chatting with Guadalupe, a Mexican woman who was also a Catholic Charities volunteer. She had an open bible on the table when a young boy approached, asking if we were reading the bible. We said yes and he volunteered that he would like to join us.

He explained that he had never been to school, but had learned to read a little and loved the bible. I opened to psalm 23 and we took turns reading, commenting on each verse as we went. He was comforted by God’s concern and promise. After finishing the psalm, he said that while he liked the psalms, his favorite bible story concerned Joshua.  He repeated the word he knew by heart, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

I chocked back tears and thought to myself “I wish my faith were that strong.” This 14 year old boy had left his family and community behind, had traveled thousands of miles to reach the border, had been locked up for a minimum of six weeks that I knew of, and was uncertain when he would be released to family. Yet he sat there confident that no matter what would come, God would give him strength.

Where had he learned such trust in God? I can only speculate- his mother, his grandmother, his aunts, the village catechist? Whoever it was had succeeded beyond belief, and now this young teenager was teaching me.

The sparklers were glowing and it wasn’t long before the fireworks were set off as 18 of our Tampa Bay Sisters gathered to celebrate July 4^th. Laughter, excitement and genuine fraternitas marked the afternoon. The joy was palpable as finally after 13 long months we greeted each other face to face. Thanks to the sisters at St Elizabeth Convent for hosting this red, white and blue social. The food was the traditional all American 4^th of July repast – hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. - all topped off with ice cream and a home-made flag cake (actually, cupcakes – unique). Sorry, we were so engrossed in our revival with each other that no pictures were taken. Wish y’all could have joined us!