The Canticle Farm Presidential Search Committee is pleased to announce that Gina Anderson has accepted the position as the fifth President of Canticle Farm.

During the two month search process, we had the opportunity to engage in wonderful conversations with several of the applicants. For this transition from an FSA president, we wanted to ensure that the next President would be able to support the mission of Canticle Farm in a way that would nourish the Mind, Body, Spirit and Earth. Gina's current and previous experiences make her an uniquely qualified candidate.

Gina had the chance to become part of the Canticle Farm family as a team member in the fields and at the Farm Market during the spring, summer and fall seasons. She is also a Hospice Chaplain. Before moving back to the area, she started and led Sowing Solidarity, a nonprofit urban farm in California whose mission is fairly similar to ours.

Gina's experience, skills and spirit are a wonderful fit for Canticle Farm, and she is excited to begin working with everyone. Her start date is set for November 8. Please join us in welcoming Gina as she moves into this new role with Canticle Farm.

Each year, the St. Elizabeth Mission Society provides grants for programs and projects that are in line with the mission, vision and direction of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. A Franciscan Sister of Allegany (FSA) Member or Associate must be directly affiliated and actively engaged in the program or project. The maximum grant award is $5,000 (USD).

Funded grants are projects that provide service to those who are poor and promote self-sufficiency and systemic change, including food, clothing, shelter needs, medical assistance, educational programs and supplies as well as capital improvements and equipment. This year, due to a generous gift from the Franciscan Sisters, the Mission Society was able to provide an emergency grant cycle in April, awarding a total of $60,000. The July grants awarded a total of $91,500 in funding. Click here to read the full list of grants.

Sr. Margaret Carney OSF, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities and former President of St. Bonaventure University, will give a presentation entitled "Clare and the Gift of Sisterhood" on Thursday, November 11, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse.

The presentation, which will take place at 3 p.m. in the Motherhouse conference room, will be live streamed for viewing by those outside of the Allegany area. The live stream link will be shared closer to the date.

I wanted to take a moment to provide you all with an update on the status of the printed version of the 2021 Directory.

The Directory was finalized for print in early October. Unfortunately, like so many other businesses, our printer has experienced some difficulties in getting in the appropriate paper stock to finish our print in their usual timely fashion.

According to the printer, the Directory will be finished early this week. As soon as it arrives, I will put it into the mail to those who requested a hard-copy version.

Thank you all for your patience!

Denise Bunk-Hatch

Communications Director

February 20, 1960 - May 29, 2020

From her eulogy

Sister H. Angella Harris OSF was born on February 20, 1960, to Nehemiah (deceased) and Sereta Harris at Spaulding in the parish of Clarendon, Jamaica, West Indies. She was one of six children.

Sister Angella believed that “we each travel our own journey and, perhaps most important, are our companions on the way.” She reflected on her journey at the joyful celebration of her 25^th Jubilee as a Franciscan Sister:

“One of my earliest experiences of spiritual stirrings was during the 5.a.m. Easter service at St. Michael’s Anglican Church as the rising sun burst through the stained glass window. My knowledge and understanding of God deepened in the church and in my teenage years. I enjoyed many summer camps with Anglican youth in Negril. While in third form, I attended a United Church youth camp and Rev. Thames’ message led me to make a personal commitment to God. It was not a fall-off-the-horse experience like Paul’s, but a new way of seeing, listening and understanding how God works in my life, began for me.” Continue Reading

February 26, 1934 - September 18, 2020

From her eulogy by Sr. Rosemary Higgins

Sr. Mary Louise was a teacher and principal for almost 30 years in New York and New Jersey. However, she had a hidden talent which was not discovered until 1983 when she became the secretary of the Area II Coordinator. During the following years she was the secretary of three Regional Ministers. She was very confidential and so good at organizing the information for a meeting that she made the Regional Ministers look and feel as though they were prepared for anything that would be discussed at the meeting. Continue Reading

July 1, 1930 - October 5, 2020

From her eulogy