Allegany Franciscans

This Lent, Travel with Franciscans Into the Wilderness
The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany's 2010 Lenten reflection book is the work of over 45 Franciscan writers, artist and poets. Acting as guides, they point the way for each of us to enter our own wilderness. They invite us to allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit of God, to open ourselves and respond as God’s calls us into the Light of the Resurrection. The Scripture readings of this holy season prepare us for an experience of the Risen Lord in our lives. In Jesus’ example and his stories, we learn how to respond to the circumstances of life with a sense of who we are and who God is. To order the Lenten reflection books, Into the Wilderness, visit Allegany Art at www.alleganyart.com or e-mail alleganyart@tampabay.rr.com

Order Today ~ Lent begins on February 17th!

Living the Mission: Making a Difference, Part 3
Whenever people see Sr. John Kevin McNulty, they automatically begin singing "Well, hello, Dolly...” Sr. John Kevin recently celebrated 70 years of service to our congregation and service that has been! JK's ministry has been primarily in the healthcare field in various capacities, including many years in clinical supervision and hospital administration in New York and Florida. Read more

Sister Margarida Builds a Church by Sr. Mary Conrad Wiersteiner, OSF The setting is Goianorte in the State of Tocantins - Brazil. Goianorte is a small, rural city in the northwestern part of the state. Far from the central highway and either one of the two rivers of the state, the Araguaia and the Tocantins, the city has little or no chance to grow in population, commerce or industry. Read more

Calabash, NC Associates
by Kathy Doyle, Associate
Getting back into the swing of things came early for the Calabash associates as Pat Bueter, Kathy Doyle and Betty Parbst made the trek up to Garner, N.C., to attend the Diocesan Respect Life workshop in late August. In honor of the 800 years of Franciscan charism, the Office of Peace and Justice invited a Franciscan friar as the keynote speaker. He elaborated on the broader concept of Respect Life that, in addition to the abortion issue, also addresses abolishment of the death penalty, a health care policy that includes everyone, an end to armed conflict and other life issues. Trafficking was addressed for the first time in our county with a forum that included the district attorney, the sheriff and other county department directors. South Carolina also hosted their second trafficking workshop. Judy Harrington attended both programs and continues to tackle this Franciscan initiative for our group. Read more

Life is to be Lived
by Sr. Anne Martin Robonie, OSF

Birth/Youth/ Fullness of years/ Accepting the final invitation of transformed life. That is the life I want to live.

All has been gift. What are the memories I hold dear, the painful as well as the joyful? Are there gifts I have not fully recognized, appreciated, used and given thanks? I think these golden years are given to me for that very purpose – to view again the stages of the ROSE, and to share these gifts with others.

Sometimes we have a preference for a particular stage of the rose…a bud, or slightly opened, or in its fullness, but hardly ever, the rose finishing its days. Yet in my final years, I need to remember my full journey, each period as a blessing. My petals are diminishing, changing color, dropping off. But God does not throw anything He has made away. It may fall into the earth and become nourishment for another. Can I let my life be that also? Let me become a living witness of the love and power of God for all those around me.



	This Lent, Travel with Franciscans Into the Wilderness The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany's 2010 Lenten reflection book is the work of over 45 Franciscan writers, artist and poets. Acting as guides, they point the way for each of us to enter our own wilderness. They invite us to allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit of God, to open ourselves and respond as God’s calls us into the Light of the Resurrection. The Scripture readings of this holy season prepare us for an experience of the Risen Lord in our lives. In Jesus’ example and his stories, we learn how to respond to the circumstances of life with a sense of who we are and who God is. To order the Lenten reflection books, Into the Wilderness, visit Allegany Art at www.alleganyart.com or e-mail alleganyart@tampabay.rr.com Order Today ~ Lent begins on February 17th! Living the Mission: Making a Difference, Part 3 Whenever people see Sr. John Kevin McNulty, they automatically begin singing "Well, hello, Dolly...” Sr. John Kevin recently celebrated 70 years of service to our congregation and service that has been! JK's ministry has been primarily in the healthcare field in various capacities, including many years in clinical supervision and hospital administration in New York and Florida. Read more Sister Margarida Builds a Church by Sr. Mary Conrad Wiersteiner, OSF The setting is Goianorte in the State of Tocantins - Brazil. Goianorte is a small, rural city in the northwestern part of the state. Far from the central highway and either one of the two rivers of the state, the Araguaia and the Tocantins, the city has little or no chance to grow in population, commerce or industry. Read more Calabash, NC Associates by Kathy Doyle, Associate Getting back into the swing of things came early for the Calabash associates as Pat Bueter, Kathy Doyle and Betty Parbst made the trek up to Garner, N.C., to attend the Diocesan Respect Life workshop in late August. In honor of the 800 years of Franciscan charism, the Office of Peace and Justice invited a Franciscan friar as the keynote speaker. He elaborated on the broader concept of Respect Life that, in addition to the abortion issue, also addresses abolishment of the death penalty, a health care policy that includes everyone, an end to armed conflict and other life issues. Trafficking was addressed for the first time in our county with a forum that included the district attorney, the sheriff and other county department directors. South Carolina also hosted their second trafficking workshop. Judy Harrington attended both programs and continues to tackle this Franciscan initiative for our group. Read more Life is to be Lived by Sr. Anne Martin Robonie, OSF Birth/Youth/ Fullness of years/ Accepting the final invitation of transformed life. That is the life I want to live. All has been gift. What are the memories I hold dear, the painful as well as the joyful? Are there gifts I have not fully recognized, appreciated, used and given thanks? I think these golden years are given to me for that very purpose – to view again the stages of the ROSE, and to share these gifts with others. Sometimes we have a preference for a particular stage of the rose…a bud, or slightly opened, or in its fullness, but hardly ever, the rose finishing its days. Yet in my final years, I need to remember my full journey, each period as a blessing. My petals are diminishing, changing color, dropping off. But God does not throw anything He has made away. It may fall into the earth and become nourishment for another. Can I let my life be that also? Let me become a living witness of the love and power of God for all those around me.	Last updated January 11, 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! 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.