Pictured above are the women who have given 50 years of faithful service to the mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.
Pictured above, front row (from left): Sr. Jane Kane, Sr. William Margaret Young, Sr. Francis Gavin. Back row:
Sr. Annette Seiter, Sr. Marigene Kennedy, Congregational Minister Margaret Mary Kimmins, Sr. Frances Cardillo, Sr. Marie Kathleen Stagnaro.
Golden Jubilarians
Sr. Maria Antonieta Nogueira, OSF
Sr. Maria das Gracas Tavares de Sousa, OSF
Sr. Silmei Marques de Azevedo, OSF
Sr. Frances M. Cardillo, OSF
Sr. Marigene Kennedy, OSF
Following college, I worked for several years designing children's clothes
with a firm in New York. I loved it but was increasingly aware that
'something was missing'. Within a short time I found myself, with the
blessing of my family and friends, happily living my new life as a Franciscan
Sister of Allegany. I knew I was at home! Fifty years have passed. I feel blest in the gift of each one. Most were
spent in the ministry of education. I taught first grade through high school,
with a few turns as principal. For a time I was Director of Faith Formation
in a parish. A taste of other ministries woven through the years has energized
my life as well.
Recall Vatican ll and the sweeping changes it began in the Church! Starting in
1971, I was privileged, for the next four years, to be a member of our
congregation's Corporate Renewal Team, working to help our sisters respond to
the Church's call for renewal. The call came again from the congregation and I,
some twenty years later, assumed the role of a Local Minister in our
Leadership Team at the Motherhouse. Working directly with our sisters in
these ministries brought challenge, growth and great joy to my life. I am
grateful. Two years ago, I began my present ministry here in St. Joseph
Parish where I had been Director of Faith Formation. I sensed a call to reach
out to the sick and homebound of our parish so that they would still feel
connected and cared for. I coordinate a variety of ministries carried out
by our wonderful volunteers as well as am personally in contact with people
in their homes, hospitals or wherever they might be in need of the church's
presence and ministry. Fifty years? It feels more like 'fifty days'. And
because God has been on the journey with me, there is really 'nothing missing'.
Sr. Annette Seiter, OSF
Sr. Marie Kathleen Stagnaro, OSF
The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany became a part of my life when I entered first grade at St. Virgilius School. All through my elementary and high school years my relationship with them deepened. I owe my vocation to those sisters who encouraged me to discern my life's path by being attentive and listening to God. The humble and simple lives of the sisters were an inspiration to me. Early on I made my decision to enter the Allegany community. After high school the sisters took me by train to the Motherhouse - and so began my life's journey as an Allegany Franciscan.
My teaching career started in Haddonfield, NJ. I spent 6 happy years teaching in Christ the King School. From there I was transferred to Winston Salem, NC. Although I spent only one year there teaching high school, I learned first-hand the evils of discrimination. This was the time before integration. From this experience I became more aware of the unconditional love that God has for all persons regardless of race or background. And that we, too, are called to that love for all. From there I was transferred to a school in the sunny south, West Palm Beach, Fla. Our local community was small but we often visited with our sisters at St. Mary's Hospital.
After three years in Florida, I returned to my native state - New York. The school was upstate, a small hamlet called Averill Park where I spent three years teaching.
My principal days started after that when I became principal of St. Paul Catholic School in Highland Park, NJ. After 10 years as principal, I went back to teaching at another St. Paul's in St. Petersburg, Fla. That lasted one year and I was asked to take a principalship in Pennsauken, NJ. That I did for a few years, but my father was in Florida and not well, so I went back to St. Petersburg and taught a few more years before becoming the principal of St. Paul's for 10 years. Three years ago, I was elected to leadership in Region III, the southern region of our congregation.
As I look back over these past 50 years, I see that our God cannot be out done in generosity. God's constant love and fidelity keeps sustaining me. Blessings came and continue to come to me through those who walk this spirit-filled journey with me - my family, the sisters I lived with over these years, those I ministered to and those who ministered to me.
On this Jubilee year, I celebrate God's goodness and love for all of creation.
Sr. Clare Marie Figueroa, OSF
Sr. Frances Gavin, OSF
Sr. M. William Margaret Young, OSF
On the evening of February 2, 1954, I got off the “Weary Erie” train in Olean, NY, station,
shivering from the cold and breathing out frosted breaths, bundled up in a Peking fur-coat.
I entered the humble portals of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse which was to be my home for the next
year and a half. Beatrice Kane, who is now Sr. Jane Kane, OSF, and I met on the train;
she having been told to look for me by Mother Alice Gallagher, OSF of St. Clare’s Hospital
in New York City. She was from New Jersey and I from Kingston, Jamaica, British West Indies
of Chinese parentage, to a life so totally opposite to what we knew, ready to face any
eventuality that might come along with a sense of humor.
We donned our postulancy garb, a short veil, a long sleeved black dress with a white collar.
Needless to say, black stockings and shoes. We looked like little penguins! I was assigned
to teach fifth grade at St. Bonaventure School down the hill from the Motherhouse without any
requirement of a teacher’s certificate, but I used my Maryknoll Convent School days (in Hong
Kong, China) techniques from February to May to warrant a quiet criticism that I was not
teaching high school students.
Novitiate of a year, was a time of awakening to scheduled prayers, spiritual exercises,
studies, duties, meals, recreation and the Grand Silence and we went to bed early to
the De Profundus at quarter to nine, rung by the bell in the tower. I was one of the gifted
bell ringers, even for tolling after a requiem Mass. Most of us had to get used to asking permission to do this or that in preparation for taking
the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. We had Sr. Angela (of blessed memory) for our
novice mistress, and she seemed to have been clairvoyant, having bi-location powers and had a
majesty stature that humbled many neophytes like us. I remember her with love and respect.
Over the following nine years, from 1955 to 1964, I taught at Immaculate Conception High School
in Kingston, still using my Maryknoll Convent School days’ techniques for the first, second and
third forms (7 - 8 - 9th grades), teaching General Science, Health Science, Gospel of St. Mark,
and simple Biology to twelve-thirteen year old girls. I played softball with the girls in my
long brown habit with black veil and white gimp (something like a oversized bib – starched),
black stockings and sensible walking shoes.
I made Perpetual Vows in 1961, and spent six weeks every year in summer school at St.
Elizabeth’s Teachers College in Allegany, preparing for a bachelor's and master's degree in
Sacred Science from St. Bonaventure University. However, I lobbied to work in nursing which
was my intended vocation since my early teens. I went to St. Francis School of Practicing Nursing, in Olean
for one year to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, then to St. Clare’s Hospital School of
Nursing in Manhattan for two years to earn an R.N. degree.
I returned to return to Jamaica to do midwifery at the University Hospital of the West Indies,
and then to Public Health School which qualified me to run a health clinic, now called Hope
(Teaching) Health Clinic in Montego Bay, for those with no or low incomes. In 2005 we will celebrate
its 30th anniversary and the beginning of a new horizon under the umbrella of Good Shepherd
Foundation in Montego Bay, with two medical doctors, an ophthalmologist, a dentist, two
holistic therapists and Family Life and Natural Family Planning teaching. I am dedicated to
teaching health and parenting for the future of our children, the leaders.
Looking back and reminiscing, how time flew, like a twinkling of an eye! As I grow older
and the bones creak, how I wish I had another 20 years to finish the work I began
in Jamaica, but I am happy that I have other people to replace me. No one is indispensable.
For these fifty years, thanks be to God! There is a song "Join the Navy to see the world . . . ."
sung during WWII. I can say "join the Allegany Franciscans and see the world . . . .starting with the U.S., Jamaica, Brazil and Bolivia."
As the Jamaicans say "Come, try it ‘nuh?"
Sr. Jane Kane, OSF (The following was submitted by Sr. Mary Laffey, OSF)
Bernice Kathleen was born into a lively household of three brothers and five sisters. As the youngest
in the family, Bernice was special to both her siblings and her parents, John and Jennie Kane.
Bernice attended public grade school and high school in South Plainfield, NJ. After high school,
she completed studies at the Institute of Merchandising in New York City and worked in the famous Garment
District on Seventh Ave. As a Franciscan Sister of Allegany, Sr. Jane continued her education
at St. Bonaventure University, Malloy College, Rockville Centre, NY, and Catholic University of America,
Washington, DC. As a teacher Jane specialized in remedial reading.
Sr. Jane's various ministries have included teacher, principal, director of religious education, pastoral care,
and hospital/prison chaplain. Of all these ministries, Jane preferred pastoral care. At Catholic University of America, she was a member of the
supervisory staff in the pastoral department. In 1993, while in residence at Christ the King Convent,
Haddonfield, NJ, Sr. Jane suffered a stroke. Shortly after, she was brought to the Motherhouse in Allegany, NY, where
she has made a remarkable recovery. On most evenings Sr. Basil comes to Jane's room to read to her. This is a
special time for Sr. Jane, because of her limited vision. When the infirm sisters are entertained by outside groups that include sing-a-longs,
Sr. Jane is right on top with all the words. Sr. Jane's young and active life has been cut short by illness, but her upbeat spirit and congeniality are
an example to all.
Sr. Maria Salette F. Barbosa (deceased)
Sr. M. Rosehelene Berger (deceased)
2004 Silver Jubilarians
Sr. Iosita Freitas Campos
Sr. Edith Pereira de Oliveira
Sr. Jeronima Rodrigues Lopes
2003 Jubilarians