Modified from the Franciscan Action Network

 

In July 2013, the Franciscan Center in Tampa began offering a Post Trauma Education and Retreat Program for first responders. The program serves as an avenue towards recovery through educational workshops designed to work through post trauma stress to alleviate suffering. Our confidential program is the first of its kind to Florida and on the east coast of the U.S. Specially-trained staff of active and retired first responders, mental health counselors, certified chaplains and peers provide a unique perspective and understand the many demands put upon them.

 

We're approaching one year of program implementation, andwe're seeing a significant impact on those who participate. Some participant comments from 2013 include: 

• "This course gave me insight into pain that was hidden, even from me.  Not only did I learn to identify this pain, but learned why it was there, and how to heal it."
• "This course is the most profound personal and spiritual experience I've ever had."

 

As we continue to develop the program, we look forward to offering the retreat to first responders, active military and veterans, and their families from throughout Florida, as well as the rest of the U.S.

 

Submitted by: Denise Bunk-Hatch, communications director

   The 11th annual Shower for Mary was held on Thursday, December 5, at the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse Chapel. The event was held immediately following the annual lighting of the Motherhouse Nativity Scene at the base of the hill. 

   The yearly event brings together churches and individuals from throughout the Olean area to collect supplies for local mothers in need. This year's proceeds benefited the works of Southern Tier Pregnancy Center. 

   For additional photos from the event, please visit the album on our Facebook page.

Submitted by: Margaret Mary Foley, OSF

 

   A prayer weekend retreat called "Exploring Our Name in God with Its Light and Shadows" was held at the Franciscan Convent in Tampa at the end of November and was presented by Maureen Connors, Ph.D.  

   Sisters learned about "Loving Ourselves and Our Differences" with the Myers-Briggs as a tool for Prayer and Self Awareness. 

 

The presentations were:

A.  "Exploring Our Light and Shadow in Ourselves and Community"

B.  "Prayer and Spiritual Development for Our Types"

C.  "Being In The "Grip" When We Are Under Stress and How to Get Out of It"

D.  "Building on our time together"

 by Maureen Connors, Ph.D.

 

Taken in part from the Vatican Radio

The Vatican announced last week that the Nativity Scene in St. Peter's Square will be titled "Francis 1223 - Francis 2013" in honor of the first Christmas of the Pontificate of Pope Francis. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE. 

 

"Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America" is available for broadcasts by NBC stations nationwide, at their discretion, September 15, 2013 - March 15, 2014, as part of NBC's "Horizons of the Spirit" series, presented in partnership with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission. It's not a "must carry" program, so stations can decide when to air the film during that window or not to air it at all. So you can make a difference! CLICK TO SEE MORE INFORMATION AND A SAMPLE LETTER. 

Submitted by: Kathy Doyle, associate program co-director

 

   Paz e bem!  If I learned nothing else, I came to understand the true meaning of those words, "Peace and good," after encountering the heartwarming hospitality and contagious love of the sisters and associates during my 10 day visit to Brazil to officially open the 25th Anniversary of the Allegany Franciscan Associate Program.

  Ninety six associates from all over Brazil, some traveling 20 hours by bus to get there, came to the Mae Admiraval convent, the Brazilian Motherhouse, in Anapolis.   Friday was the "getting to know you" evening.  Every group had the opportunity to say in word, song, story, poetry, or skit, what the associate program meant to them and their faith.  Almost every person in each group spoke. 

  The agenda for Saturday included the history of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and the Associate program as well as talks from Ana Bernadete, OSF, and myself about the closing celebration in Allegany next summer.  That evening, after Mass at the local parish church, Our Lady of the Angels and dinner, each group presented some form of entertainment to explain their local customs and cultures.  Joyful noises of spontaneous singing and dancing filled the refectory.  Some groups offered traditional foods - each one better than the next!  Brazilians really love to party and the festivities lasted until nearly midnight!

  The Gathering closed on Sunday.  During Mass, the Associate Banners were distributed to each group and then blessed by the entire assembly.  Associates who had recently made their first Commitment, were presented with their Associate Pins.  After lunch, hugs and kisses abounded as many said their goodbyes with promises of "see you in Allegany!"

  The rest of my time was spent visiting associates in Pires do Rio, Ceres and touring around Caldas Novas, the hot springs area, and Brasilia, the capitol of Brazil.  I was struck by the variety of fruits and flowers, banana and cashew trees, rubber plants and sugar cane fields, cattle ranches and vegetable gardens in open spaces.  But the most incongruous experience for me were images of Santa Claus in full regalia in homes and stores in the heat of a Brazilian late spring, as the country prepared for Christmas.

  If things work out as planned, we can expect a sizable group from Brazil to participate in the closing of the jubilee year in Allegany in 2014!    

Submitted by: Jeanne Williams, OSF, associate co-director

 

   On Saturday, November 15, associates from Kingston and Montego Bay joined with the sisters at Immaculate Conception Convent to participate in the opening of a year of celebration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the associate program.  The festive day began with a beautiful Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop Charles H. Dufour, Archbishop of Kingston.  The Liturgy was accompanied by lively music in the Jamaican style provided by Sr. Maureen Clare Hall and several associates.  After Communion, Jeanne Williams, OSF, co-director of the associate program, offered a reflection on the joy of St. Francis.

   Following the Liturgy a delicious banquet of typical Jamaican food was enjoyed by all. Participants viewed a video prepared by associate Donna Haynes, which captured the spirit and activities of the associates in Jamaica.  Personal testimonials on the meaning of the associate program were offered by associates Hyacinth Campbell and Grace Yap, OSF.  At the culmination of the celebration, associate Theresa Mendes shared that in honor of the Jubilee year, the associates in Kingston will establish a fund to provide a scholarship to a fourth year student in need at St. Joseph Teacher's College in Kingston.