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In this Issue:
Peak of the Week!
Geane and Jaiane in Brazil
Catholic Schools Week
Retreat Announcement
Special Flag
Shower for Mary - Tampa
Cards for Jubilarians
AFM Board Members
Black History Month
Prayer for Christian Unity
Bona Pride Day
Birthday List
Send Us Your News
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January 10
National Houseplant Appreciation Day
| One of the best ways to enhance a space is by adding house plants. National Houseplant Appreciation Day on January 10 serves as a reminder to give your houseplants a little extra attention to keep them thriving. | |
Some studies show that indoor plants may improve productivity and performance at school and workplaces. Caring for plants provides therapeutic benefits that may help ease the symptoms of depression, anxiety and dementia. Especially important in dryer climates and during the winter, houseplants release moisture into a room, improving the humidity and enhancing the comfort level. Also, NASA published a study showing that houseplants improve air quality. Three of the most effective plants in cleaning the air are spider plants, Ficus and Boston ferns.
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January 15
National Hat Day
| In honor of Sister Eileen Lambert, we are noting National Hat Day, which is celebrated each year on January 15. | Since at least 1983, schools, libraries, and museums have observed National Hat Day by inviting students and patrons to wear their favorite hats, or hats of their occupation. That date also commemorates the day in 1797 when the first top hat made its appearance in court. A judge claimed that the tall hat, created by haberdasher John Hetherington, disturbed the public. | |
Celebrate National Polka Dot Day on January 22. The day also honors one of the most popular and beloved animated characters – who is also a fashion diva – Minnie Mouse. | |
Polka dots refer to fabric printed with spots. The word first appeared in the 1857 Godey's Lady's Book, a women's magazine out of Philadelphia.
Polka dots are also Minnie Mouse's signature style. Her polka dots are usually white and set on a red background. However, she also appears in shades of pink. Other notable personalities who've worn or used iconic polka dots include Shirley Temple in the movie “Stand Up and Cheer,” Marilyn Monroe in “The Seven Year Itch” and Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman.”
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Geane, Jaiane Welcomed to Next Stage | |
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It was with great joy that, on February 2, Geane Araújo and Jaiane Cerqueira were welcomed in the next stage of the Canonic Noviciate.
Bay State naturals, the young women have gone through the stages of aspirant, postulant and now continue to this year dedicated to prayer, study of the Rule and Constitution of the Congregation, taking another step in the process of discernment for the profession of vows.
Meanwhile all the sisters join them in prayers and thanksgiving.
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Sister Joan Carberry, assistant principal of St. Paul Catholic School in St. Petersburg, Florida, reported that “We had a marvelous week celebrating something special each day (of Catholic Schools Week): Vocations, Nation, Community, Family, and Grandparents.”
She said they had a beautiful Mass on Feb. 2 for students and their grandparents, followed by a breakfast for grandparents, student performances, and tours of the school. Three hundred grandparents attended.
Sister Joan said, “We had a wonderful week celebrating who we are and recognizing the Franciscan Charism that has been a vital part of our 94-year history. God bless the five founding Sisters.”
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Courage, Wisdom and Compassion:
Lessons from Visionary Lives
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The annual retreat is scheduled for June 29 through July 6 and will feature Gillian T.W. Ahlgren.
Inspired by the lives of Francis of Assisi, Clare of Assisi, Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day, Gillian will reflect on the spiritual practices that anchored their lives and gave then the strength for the journey. By remembering how people before us experienced the call to love in a needy world, we find courage and wisdom for today.
Gillian is an educator and writer known for her ability to open up the Christian mystical tradition as a practical resource for living. She is the author of several books, including: Entering Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle: A Reader’s Companion, Spiritual Exercises for 21st Century and the Tenderness of God: Reclaiming our Humanity.
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A flag that was flown on a combat medevac mission in a Black Hawk helicopter near Baghdad in support of Operation Inherent Resolve was also flown at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany.
Sister Chris (Patsy) Treichel’s niece Captain Aileena Flynn, a critical care nurse, was part of the mission and presented the flag to her. Sister Chris recently gave the flag to Motherhouse Administrator Jaclyn Moore, who then had it flown on February 2.
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... immense generosity and outpouring of love | |
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From Associate Linda Dees:
Thank you, thank you, thank to all who contributed to Mary's Shower in the South.
The Tampa Bay Associates and Sisters were brainstorming an idea for an outreach project, and it was suggested -- and unanimously agreed upon -- that we would join in solidarity with our Sisters at the Motherhouse who have had a long tradition of hosting Mary's Shower, a literal shower for Mothers, babies, and young ones in honor of Our Blessed Mother Mary.
A festively decorated box was placed at The Franciscan Center entrance and word spread throughout the area. Before we knew it, the Academy of the Holy Names elementary division, Fr. Dennis and St Mark's parishioners, people who saw our request on Facebook, those who attended the Blessing of The Creche at The Franciscan Center, the Franciscan Sisters and Associates and the wonderful staff of The Franciscan Center were contributing to this worthy cause. It was truly a community effort!
We were overwhelmed and so very grateful for the immense generosity and outpouring of love. Thanks to everyone who donated! A special shoutout to Brian Lemoi and The Franciscan Center staff, as well as Sr. Liz and our Sisters at St. Elizabeth's House of Prayer, who lovingly and graciously received and housed the numerous donations.
Donations were distributed to and gratefully received by St. Joseph's Women's Hospital in Tampa (pictured below) and the Alpha House in St. Petersburg, where the donations will make a positive difference in the lives of so many in the Tampa Bay area.
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Cards for Jubilarians
By Laura Whitford, St. Elizabeth Mission Society
Help the Jubilee Sisters "celebrate their journey" with a special Jubilee Mass enrollment card from the St. Elizabeth Mission Society. As members of the Mission Society, their intentions will be remembered at Masses celebrated throughout the year in the Motherhouse Chapel. As always, they will also share in the prayers and good works of our Sisters in Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica, Mozambique and the United States.
As a sponsored ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, the St. Elizabeth Mission Society shares in its spiritual aims, one of which is to advance the awareness of God's love. Donations given for the cards are used to support the ministries of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and their Associates who work to educate, heal, clothe, feed and be present for those who are experiencing poverty in Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica, Mozambique and the United States.
Jubilee cards, as well as various other enrollment cards, can be ordered online at https://www.franciscanhope.org/shop/ or you can call the Mission Society office at (716) 373-1130 or e-mail the staff at StEliz.Office.Manager@FSAllegany.org for more information about ordering the enrollment cards. Jubilee cards will also be available in the Mission Society office.
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AFM Announces Board of Directors | |
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Allegany Franciscan Ministries has announced the reappointment of Katrina Wright as Chairperson of the board of directors and Cindy Matthews, OSF as Secretary, as well as the appointment of Deborah Coakley as Vice Chairperson.
Also, Marcus A. Brooks, Gary T. Hartfield, and Santos Morales have been elected to the board of directors; their terms began on January 1, 2024.
As Allegany Franciscan Ministries’ governing body, the board of directors stewards its resources, establishes policies and programs, and approves grants and other investments to community organizations totaling nearly $8 million annually.
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Prayer for Christian Unity | |
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ALLEGANY — Two local projects that have helped thousands of less fortunate residents were recognized Sunday by the Greater Olean Association of Churches.
Feet Heat and Operation Warm Hearts were each presented the Ecumen Award during the churches’ annual Prayer for Christian Unity celebration held at the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. The public event was organized as part of the World Council of Churches’ annual ecumenical observance held each January.
The GOAC presents its Ecumen Awards to two agencies or individuals each year who embody a spirit of ecumenism in the pursuit of peace, justice and unity in the greater Olean area.
To read more of the Olean Times Herald article, follow this link:
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Wear your brown & white and wave your banners enthusiastically -- then snap a picture and email it to anne.holliday@fsallegany.org so we can pass the photos on as a group to the St. Bonaventure Office of Alumni Engagement. (Proud supporters are welcome to join in, too.) | |
Members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Bryn Mawr, PA, celebrated Sister Kathie Uhler's birthday following Sunday Holy Mass on Jan. 28. Her birthday was 31. | |
Speaking of birthdays, it was pointed out to us that not everyone is on social media -- where we post Sisters' birthdays -- so they don't get a chance to pass along a birthday wish. We're going to fix that by posting birthdays here. If you've asked for your name not be posted on social media, it won't be posted here either because the newsletter does get posted to Facebook. | |
We Want to Hear From You! | |
We would love to include more news from Brazil, Bolivia, Jamaica and Mozambique in our newsletter. If you have any pictures, tidbits of information or bigger stories you’d like to share please email them to FSA Communications Coordinator Anne Holliday anne.holliday@fsallegany.org. If you have any questions about whether it’s something that could or should go in this newsletter, you can ask Anne about that, too. But she’ll probably say, “Yes, send it.” 😊
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Newsletter Content Submission Deadline:
February 26th Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - February 23th
March 11th Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - March 8th
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