In this Issue:

Easter in Jamaica

AFM Tau Grants

Angelina Goes to the Motherhouse

Joy in Brazil

Franciscan Center - Holy Week Retreat

Sock Hop

Sister's Legacy Request

April Birthday List

Cards for Jubilarians

Send Us Your News

Easter Gathering at the Porziuncola Farm

By: Lorraine Chen, OSF

There was much laughter and sharing as a group of well-wishers from Kingston, Jamaica, joined the workers at the Porziuncola Farm in Braes River to celebrate the blessings of the Risen Lord.

The Porziuncola Farm is an outreach mission of Franciscan Ministries which is headed by Sr. Grace Yap, OSF.

Before partaking of a sumptuous meal which was prepared from the produce of the area, the group toured the farm.  

Later, food packages were distributed to the poor and elderly.  The group from Kingston included Sr. Grace, Sr. Lorraine and her sister Maricita, Paula Lyn, FSA Associate, Greg O’Young, a visitor from Trinidad, Jehan Francis, a physiotherapist, and Marcus Allen, our very competent driver.

Allegany Franciscan Ministries: Tau Grant

Allegany Franciscan Ministries congratulates all the grant recipients for its Tau Grants program and looks forward to partnering with them and helping build their capacity as they continue to positively impact our communities. 

The Tau Grants program supports unrestricted general operating or organizational capacity building needs for nonprofits that provide services for marginalized groups including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), LGBTQ+, and/or persons with disabilities.

Angelina Goes to the Motherhouse

Several nursing students from St. Bonaventure University recently spent time with sisters at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. One of the young women was so moved by the experience that she wrote a story and reflection about it.

Joy in Brazil

Our sisters in Brazil posted on social media: "’Live joyfully with one another’ is part of the charisma of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.” They also posted these pictures to show that they are, indeed, living joyfully with one another.

Franciscan Center - Holy Week Retreat

Sr. Sallie Latkovich, CSJ, and Fr. Vince Wirtner, CPPS, presented Holy Week Retreat 2024 at The Franciscan Center in Tampa.

“Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus” included four days full of rest, receiving God’s message and recollection. Sr. Sallie shared stories of her travels to the Holy Land, along with historical facts. Fr. Vince celebrated all the Tridium Liturgies taking participants from the Last Supper to the Resurrection. 

Bonnie Whitehurst shared her musical talents.

St. Elizabeth Motherhouse Sock Hop

The St. Elizabeth Motherhouse Activities Department organized a sock hop for the Sisters, employees and Congregational Office staff. The Dietary Department served up diner-style food for the Sisters and root beer or Creamsicle floats for everyone. DJ Steve Young provided music that got people movin’ and groovin’ on the dance floor.

All the Motherhouse Sisters were able to attend and, judging by the smiles, everyone thought it was a nifty party.  

Pictured are Sr. Chris Treichel and Activities Director LaRae Best; Sr. Carlina Tronconi and Sr. Annie Dougherty; Sr. Kay Aherne and Sr. Dee Aherne; Sr. Elaine Cote; and (center) Steve Mower from the Dietary Department and Sr. Barb Bartkowiak cutting a rug.

Sister's Legacy Request

For Catholic Sisters Week, Sisters in St. Elizabeth Motherhouse and the surrounding area were asked what they hope their legacy would be. 

Now, we would like to include all the Sisters in that project. 

As an example of what we’re looking for, here’s what Sister Eleanor Berrett and Sister Gladys Sharkey said.

If you would like to be included in this project, which will be shared in this newsletter, please email anne.holliday@fsallegany.org. She can have them translated into Portuguese or Spanish so please don’t let that keep you from participating. 

Happy Birthday!

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. 

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.” 😊