Allegany Franciscans

Jottings From Jamaica
by Sr. Maureen Clare Hall, OSF

The life of Sister Tarcisia was celebrated at a Memorial Mass at St. Joseph's Teachers' College chapel about six months after she died. It was initiated by Mrs. Joy Grant-Carter and supported by other alumnae members of the college as well as the Immaculate Conception High School alumnae. Alumnae of the college lauded Tarcisia for her keen interest in each student and the discipline she demanded, but also for the way she helped each one to find herself and draw on her strengths to accomplish what she was really capable of.

Past students of the high school remembered her as an excellent and resourceful librarian who made herself available to help those who had difficulty in sourcing their material, giving them helpful hints and never turning anyone away. The college alumnae donated a beautifully-framed portrait of Tarcisia, which hangs in the conference room at the college. Read more

Seeing Christ Crucified in the Gulf Oil Spill
by Sr. Margaret Magee, OSF

From the earliest days of the BP oil disaster and the subsequent days of the gallons and gallons of oil gushing into the gulf waters, I have felt a great heaviness on my heart and in my spirit.

It is a dispirited feeling for the loss of the lives of those who died in the oil rig explosion as well as for their families and loved ones who mourn their senseless and tragic deaths. It is a disheartening feeling for the lives of those who make their livelihood fishing the waters of the gulf, whose lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren will never be the same.

But of all the images that I have seen of this gulf disaster the ones that continue to fill me with overwhelming feelings of discouragement are the many pictures of the oil covered pelicans.

For centuries, the pelican has been held as an image of Christ. Perhaps you have seen a stained glass window or a religious icon of the pelican feeding its chicks, or more accurately, of the mother pelican piercing its breast so that it may slake the thirst of its dying chicks with its own blood.

In truth, these symbols are from an ancient legend which predates Christianity. It is not surprising however, that the earliest Christians recognized in these images the crucified love of Christ.s death on the cross. Christ's crucified love continues to be poured out for each of us through creation, through our faith-filled relationships and especially through our continually being nourished through our sacramental life centered on the Eucharist.

Wednesday, June 9, I was happy to participate in a prayer service co-sponsored by St. Camillus Parish, Silver Spring, Md., and the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) . The well attended prayer service focused on the need to pray, to do penance and to live the Gospel as a response to the Gulf Oil Spill. The FAN website, www.franciscanaction.org/gulf-oil-spill, has excellent reflections and resources for use by groups and parishes. At this time, as we await a resolution to this disaster, it is imperative that we continue to raise up this image of the oil covered pelican and see the icon of Crucified Love, so that we may truly see and share with others that Christ is still suffering in and for our world.

Pat Perry Receives Good News Award
by Roseanne Duffy, OSF

Pat Perry was one of nine recipients recognized by the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce on May 20, 2010, at the 19th Annual Good News Awards Dinner held in the Premier Banquet Center. Pat's family, friends, pastor, and 11 of her Allegany Franciscan Sisters were among the 200 people present. Pat was chosen for the religion award in recognition of her years of devoted service to the ecumenical and faith sharing community of Olean. Pat is well known in the area for the compassion and loving care she gives her residents at the assisted living home she has managed for 24 years. Her involvement and service to Genesis House (a home for the homeless) has also been outstanding. She is one of their most active and involved board members and her quiet service to the needy is no secret throughout the Olean community. Pat gives unselfishly of her time and talent, as well as financial assistance, to those who desperately need help and love. The community of Olean has been enriched by her dedication, example and involvement. Pat lives her faith as a true and devoted follower of St. Francis in humility, committed service and with humor. We congratulate you, Pat Perry, for a job well done!

Faith Community Nurses Program Thriving After 19 Years
Program Begun by Dolores Eileen Thorndike in 1991

Faith Community Nurses (formerly Parish Nurses), recognized as a specialty of nursing by the American Nurses Association in 1997, are pastorally called, spiritually mature, licensed registered nurses. The nurse focuses on the intentional care of the spirit, blending the client's faith with the science of medicine, striving for a whole person-centered quality of life that is acceptable to the client. Roles of the Faith Community Nurse include: health educator and counselor, advocate, resource liaison, developer of support groups, coordinator of volunteers and integrator of spirituality and health. The Faith Community Nurse collaborates with faith leaders, community agencies, church members and the communities they serve to provide an environment where healing and advocacy can occur.

The Faith Community Nursing Program of BayCare Health Systems began in 1991, under the vision and guidance of Dolores Eileen Thorndike, at that time an employee of St. An-thony.s Hospital. Dolores had witnessed the healing ministry of parish nursing through her previous work with Reverend Granger Westberg, known as the Father of Parish Nursing. She wanted to bless St. Anthony's and her community with the same outreach ministry, which promoted health and wholeness through a unique partnership between the hospital and the local faith communities.

That was nineteen years ago. Today, the Faith Community Nursing Program of BayCare Health System is nearly 200 nurses strong. St. Joseph.s Hospital began their program in 1994 under the direction and guidance of Pat Shirley. South Florida Baptist Hospital followed suit in 1999, fol-lowed by Morton Plant Mease in 2005. In 2008, in order to provide the required education to the Tampa Bay nurses, BayCare Health System became a faculty provider of the Parish Nurse Basic Preparation Course. In 2009, the nurses worked over 34,000 hours, touching the lives of more than 58,000 people through their service in 112 different faith communities in the Tampa Bay area.

Dolores Eileen continues to play an integral role in the growth of the program. Pictured below is the April 2010 basic preparation course class with Dolores Eileen (front row, second from the right). She graciously commits her time at each basic preparation course, as she comes to welcome and speak to the participants, offering them her support, insight and guidance.

Sisters Celebrate
Golden Jubilee

Eight Franciscan Sisters of Allegany gathered recently in St. Elizabeth Motherhouse chapel to participate in a mass of thanksgiving in honor of their 50th anniversary as Allegany Franciscans. Main celebrant of the mass was Rev. Xavier Seubert, OFM, of St. Bonaventure University. The Jubilarians are (above from left), seated: Sisters Rose Bernhardt, St. Petersburg, FL; Kathleen Uhler, New York, NY; Kathleen Aherne, Collingswood, NJ; Congregational Minister, Sr. Avril Chin Fatt and Jeanne Williams, Collingswood, NJ. Standing: Sisters Charlotte O’Brien, West Medford, MA; Pat Sheeran, Haddon Heights, NJ; Joan Dawson, West Palm Beach, FL and Jean Hayes, Allegany. Not pictured is Sister Maria Margarida de Carvalho, Brazil, S.A.

Our sisters in Brazil have a beautiful website! We invite you to visit www.franciscanasgo.org.br



	Franciscan Sisters of Allegany Gather for Congregational Assembly at Motherhouse! Jottings From Jamaica by Sr. Maureen Clare Hall, OSF The life of Sister Tarcisia was celebrated at a Memorial Mass at St. Joseph's Teachers' College chapel about six months after she died. It was initiated by Mrs. Joy Grant-Carter and supported by other alumnae members of the college as well as the Immaculate Conception High School alumnae. Alumnae of the college lauded Tarcisia for her keen interest in each student and the discipline she demanded, but also for the way she helped each one to find herself and draw on her strengths to accomplish what she was really capable of. Past students of the high school remembered her as an excellent and resourceful librarian who made herself available to help those who had difficulty in sourcing their material, giving them helpful hints and never turning anyone away. The college alumnae donated a beautifully-framed portrait of Tarcisia, which hangs in the conference room at the college. Read more Seeing Christ Crucified in the Gulf Oil Spill by Sr. Margaret Magee, OSF From the earliest days of the BP oil disaster and the subsequent days of the gallons and gallons of oil gushing into the gulf waters, I have felt a great heaviness on my heart and in my spirit. It is a dispirited feeling for the loss of the lives of those who died in the oil rig explosion as well as for their families and loved ones who mourn their senseless and tragic deaths. It is a disheartening feeling for the lives of those who make their livelihood fishing the waters of the gulf, whose lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren will never be the same. But of all the images that I have seen of this gulf disaster the ones that continue to fill me with overwhelming feelings of discouragement are the many pictures of the oil covered pelicans. For centuries, the pelican has been held as an image of Christ. Perhaps you have seen a stained glass window or a religious icon of the pelican feeding its chicks, or more accurately, of the mother pelican piercing its breast so that it may slake the thirst of its dying chicks with its own blood. In truth, these symbols are from an ancient legend which predates Christianity. It is not surprising however, that the earliest Christians recognized in these images the crucified love of Christ.s death on the cross. Christ's crucified love continues to be poured out for each of us through creation, through our faith-filled relationships and especially through our continually being nourished through our sacramental life centered on the Eucharist. Wednesday, June 9, I was happy to participate in a prayer service co-sponsored by St. Camillus Parish, Silver Spring, Md., and the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) . The well attended prayer service focused on the need to pray, to do penance and to live the Gospel as a response to the Gulf Oil Spill. The FAN website, www.franciscanaction.org/gulf-oil-spill, has excellent reflections and resources for use by groups and parishes. At this time, as we await a resolution to this disaster, it is imperative that we continue to raise up this image of the oil covered pelican and see the icon of Crucified Love, so that we may truly see and share with others that Christ is still suffering in and for our world. Pat Perry Receives Good News Award by Roseanne Duffy, OSF Pat Perry was one of nine recipients recognized by the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce on May 20, 2010, at the 19th Annual Good News Awards Dinner held in the Premier Banquet Center. Pat's family, friends, pastor, and 11 of her Allegany Franciscan Sisters were among the 200 people present. Pat was chosen for the religion award in recognition of her years of devoted service to the ecumenical and faith sharing community of Olean. Pat is well known in the area for the compassion and loving care she gives her residents at the assisted living home she has managed for 24 years. Her involvement and service to Genesis House (a home for the homeless) has also been outstanding. She is one of their most active and involved board members and her quiet service to the needy is no secret throughout the Olean community. Pat gives unselfishly of her time and talent, as well as financial assistance, to those who desperately need help and love. The community of Olean has been enriched by her dedication, example and involvement. Pat lives her faith as a true and devoted follower of St. Francis in humility, committed service and with humor. We congratulate you, Pat Perry, for a job well done! Faith Community Nurses Program Thriving After 19 Years Program Begun by Dolores Eileen Thorndike in 1991 Faith Community Nurses (formerly Parish Nurses), recognized as a specialty of nursing by the American Nurses Association in 1997, are pastorally called, spiritually mature, licensed registered nurses. The nurse focuses on the intentional care of the spirit, blending the client's faith with the science of medicine, striving for a whole person-centered quality of life that is acceptable to the client. Roles of the Faith Community Nurse include: health educator and counselor, advocate, resource liaison, developer of support groups, coordinator of volunteers and integrator of spirituality and health. The Faith Community Nurse collaborates with faith leaders, community agencies, church members and the communities they serve to provide an environment where healing and advocacy can occur. The Faith Community Nursing Program of BayCare Health Systems began in 1991, under the vision and guidance of Dolores Eileen Thorndike, at that time an employee of St. An-thony.s Hospital. Dolores had witnessed the healing ministry of parish nursing through her previous work with Reverend Granger Westberg, known as the Father of Parish Nursing. She wanted to bless St. Anthony's and her community with the same outreach ministry, which promoted health and wholeness through a unique partnership between the hospital and the local faith communities. That was nineteen years ago. Today, the Faith Community Nursing Program of BayCare Health System is nearly 200 nurses strong. St. Joseph.s Hospital began their program in 1994 under the direction and guidance of Pat Shirley. South Florida Baptist Hospital followed suit in 1999, fol-lowed by Morton Plant Mease in 2005. In 2008, in order to provide the required education to the Tampa Bay nurses, BayCare Health System became a faculty provider of the Parish Nurse Basic Preparation Course. In 2009, the nurses worked over 34,000 hours, touching the lives of more than 58,000 people through their service in 112 different faith communities in the Tampa Bay area. Dolores Eileen continues to play an integral role in the growth of the program. Pictured below is the April 2010 basic preparation course class with Dolores Eileen (front row, second from the right). She graciously commits her time at each basic preparation course, as she comes to welcome and speak to the participants, offering them her support, insight and guidance. Sisters Celebrate Golden Jubilee Eight Franciscan Sisters of Allegany gathered recently in St. Elizabeth Motherhouse chapel to participate in a mass of thanksgiving in honor of their 50th anniversary as Allegany Franciscans. Main celebrant of the mass was Rev. Xavier Seubert, OFM, of St. Bonaventure University. The Jubilarians are (above from left), seated: Sisters Rose Bernhardt, St. Petersburg, FL; Kathleen Uhler, New York, NY; Kathleen Aherne, Collingswood, NJ; Congregational Minister, Sr. Avril Chin Fatt and Jeanne Williams, Collingswood, NJ. Standing: Sisters Charlotte O’Brien, West Medford, MA; Pat Sheeran, Haddon Heights, NJ; Joan Dawson, West Palm Beach, FL and Jean Hayes, Allegany. Not pictured is Sister Maria Margarida de Carvalho, Brazil, S.A. Our sisters in Brazil have a beautiful website! We invite you to visit www.franciscanasgo.org.br	Last updated July 8, 2010 St. Elizabeth Mission Society St. Elizabeth Mission Society is a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany that was founded in 1947 to provide for the economically poor both at home and abroad. Today the society continues to focus on the needs of Jamaica, WI, Brazil and Bolivia as well as in the United States. St. Elizabeth Mission Society proclaims the gospel message of Jesus through the active work of their sisters as well as through the written word, publications and mission collections. It is grateful for the loyalty of its faithful benefactors and offers them in return daily remembrance in the Liturgy and prayers of its members. St. Elizabeth Mission Society exercises responsible stewardship for all the monetary gifts received which allows their mission to continue. Please email us at stelizmission@fsallegany.org or contact us at 716-373-1130 for more information. Peace and Blessings! We invite you to visit Allegany Art, Expressions of our Franciscan spirituality! As we witness to God's love in the Franciscan tradition, we express our spirituality through art, poetry and music. We invite you to explore the artistic works offered on our site. Do you have any special prayer requests? Email our sisters Donations If you would like to make a donation to the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, please send it to: Generalate, Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, PO Box W, St. Bonaventure NY 14778. For more information, contact Colleen Prey at fsa@fsallegany.org. Terms of Use Policy ©2010 Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY Franciscan Sisters of Allegany St. Elizabeth Motherhouse 115 East Main Street Allegany NY 14706 Website designed and maintained by JRB Public Relations.