by Dana Hollis, OSF
The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany are blessed to have wonderful sisters who seek creative ways to live the congregational mission,
whether in full-time ministry or in retirement. We would like to highlight the work of three sisters in each issue of Allegany Connections (and reprinted on our website here).
Our hope is that our sisters and associates will celebrate their efforts and be inspired to creatively live the mission at all stages of life.
Sr. Anne Crowe (at left) teaches English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), young adults from Brazil who are students at New Life Christian School in Olean, NY.
This fall, in addition to teaching ESOL, Anne will involve her current students in teaching introductory Portuguese to a group of New Life Christian
School students, who will then volunteer their services at an orphanage in Brazil in December.
For the past seven years, Sr. Elaine Bane (at right) has been tutoring immigrants from Africa, Central and South America and other parts of the globe who are
seeking to learn English. Elaine tutors two mornings a week at the Casserly House in Roslindale, Mass., where the Sisters of St. Joseph have opened
the first floor of their tenement house in a multi-ethnic area.
Using the series Bridges to Contemplative living with Thomas Merton (Ave Maria Press), Elaine also facilitates a group of ten people interested
in living more contemplatively. The group meets one morning a week in her local parish, St. John Chrysostom, in W. Roxbury, Mass. This series of eight
booklets, published by Ave Maria Press, focuses — through prayer, reflection and dialogue — on living contemplatively in one's own life. All
participants speak of the sessions as having a profound influence on their spiritual lives.
At the Franciscan Spirituality Center in Kingston, Jamaica, Sr. Maria Goretti Lowe (pictured at right) is using a holistic approach by adding line-dancing to her programs.
“Helping to Build a Gentler Society Based on Franciscan Ideals” is the mission of the Franciscan Spirituality Center.
Maria Goretti continues to spread the Good News in the footprints of Saint Francis of Assisi to Franciscan sisters, associates and
secular Franciscans. To view a video of line-dancing at the Franciscan Center, go to:
www.linedancingwithsharlo.com.
Day One in Horcones
by Kathy Maire, OSF
Once again I have had the incredible privilege of accompanying the Global Health Medical Mission to Guatemala. As other team members,
I arrived at the airport with 100 pounds of medications, a wheel chair, a pair of crutches and all the paperwork for the trip. All
this could only happen with your generous support and donations. Please accept this small snapshot as a token of my appreciation.
La clinic was silent, a rare moment, since people were lined up against all the walls waiting to see the doctors. The reason for the silence was
that everyone was trying to imagine what was happening inside the consulting room, where the screams of a four year old were overpowering. The unspoken
question was: What could the doctor possibly be doing to cause the boy such terror?
Guiding the little guy and his mom into the waiting area, the doctor responded to the stares by stating that he had not even touched the child.
He was examining the mom. But the child had a cleft lip and had evidently seen many doctors, inspiring the cries. Now he was just terrified.
The doctor had explained to the mother that our dentist/surgeon/maxillofacial specialist could repair the lip. So they went off up the hill to the dental
clinic, a makeshift affair under the eaves of the chapel where the patients were protected from the sun by helpers holding umbrellas while the doctors
worked. The screams of the four year old announced their arrival. The surgeon agreed that he could do the repair, but the mother was unsure. She
knew the child was terrified. She didn't have the OK from the father and she thought it would not be a good idea.
The team was disappointed that the mom would pass up such a wonderful opportunity, but they knew they needed to respect her decision. The offer
had come as a shock after she had discovered that the operation was not accessible locally.
After lunch, as we opened the doors for the afternoon patients, the mother was first in line. She had decided to have the surgery. Off the pair went
again, the child still screaming. Minutes later, one of the team members ran in asking if we had any sheets. They needed to wrap the little boy so the
doctor could work. Between his screams and his fighting the team, it looked hopeless.
The next report was that the child had gone through the surgery without complication. His only complaint was that the doctor was treating him
like a mummy. Shortly thereafter, our self-proclaimed mummy appeared back at the clinic, with only a small bandage to mark the spot of his
surgery. This time, no screams. Just a smile as he proudly displayed his new toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste.
Serving Those Who are Poor, Hungry and Vulnerable
taken from the Spring issue of The Capuchin Journey
Besides working with Bread for the World, a global initiative to eradicate hunger in the world, Margaret Mary Kimmins also serves as president of the
Franciscan Action Network (FAN) and is past-president of Franciscans International (FI). The latter two are organizations dedicated to working for a
world that "reflects the balanced and just society that...St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi believed God invites all of creation to
accept...Through the proper ordering of relations, using Catholic social teaching principles of solidarity and the common good, they envision a world
where all have what they need to reach the fullest of their individual humanity..."
In an interview published in The Capuchin Journey (Spring 2009), Margaret Mary explained
how she was drawn into these ministries and what they mean to her as a Franciscan. She described two incidents that broadened her understanding of
Francis. teaching that we are all brother and sister to each other and to all of creation.
The first of these occurred at a congregational assembly when a speaker asked the sisters how many there were in their community. Naturally,
they responded with the number of Allegany Franciscans. “No,” she told them, “there are 6.6 billion people in your community.”
The other incident happened on a bus as she was traveling to her ministry at Bread for the World. A mentally challenged woman boarded the bus and greeted
her with, “Good morning, sister. How are you today?” Margaret Mary was mystified; how did the woman know she was a sister?
When the woman got off the bus, she spoke to Margaret Mary again. “Have a good day, sister.” Still puzzled, Margaret Mary smiled and said, “you too.”
As the woman reached the bottom of the stairs, she turned to the bus driver. “Have a nice day, brother,” she said.
“This simple yet poignant happening,” said Margaret Mary, “confirmed my hope that my work with FI, FAN and Bread for the World would help unify all of us as brothers and sisters in God's love with a
common goal of acknowledging and elevating dignity of all.”
Involved with FI from its inception over 25 years ago, Margaret Mary explains that it was the first time Franciscans came together in one body and chose to
become a NGO (non-government organization) at the UN. “The whole thought of what we could accomplish by acting together was a joy to me,” she said.
“...the whole success of the Civil Rights Movement (in which she had also been involved) reflected the power of unity when individual voices...
cried out together and formed a resounding challenge that couldn't be ignored. We believe we can build the same kind of response on a global level to
promote the mission of St. Francis — a world of peace.”
When asked about how she envisions the president's call for social conscience and volunteer service effecting the organizations, she said,
“I believe President Obama's call ...is a wedding of justice and charity...calling our country not only to help our neighbor here and abroad...
but also calling us to examine the systems that are unjust...calling us to be world citizens and leaders for peace through both charity and justice.”
All three organizations, Margaret Mary noted, have, as their collective mission, to be of service to those who are poor, hungry and vulnerable.
Each one honors the dignity of the human person and the planet.
Having known Margaret Mary for the past 20 years (my first "official" contact with the FSA), I can echo with enthusiasm and love
the sentiments expressed by writer of this article: Thank you, Margaret Mary, for championing the vision of St. Francis with your tireless
energy and for your hope, determination, and endless devotion to such a noble cause. - Editor
Dr. Renodin Honored at Grant Recipient Breakfast
by Sr. Barbara Joseph, OSF and Linda Pepperdine, Renodin Board Chairperson
Dr. Lyle F. Renodin was the honored guest at the annual Renodin Foundation Grant Recipient Breakfast held at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on
June 11. More than 90 people attended the event and listened to speakers who represented agencies helped by the foundation.
An article in the Olean Times Herald ("Renodin meets with Franciscan Sisters" by Kate Day Sager) spoke of Dr. Renodin's
association with the FSAs, which began when he attended an elementary school operated by them.
Dr. Renodin became a national management consultant, business advisor and educator, but he never forgot the sisters, and later, he returned their
benevolence by helping their leadership to establish a retirement fund for members of the congregation.
Over time, the relationship grew stronger, so much so that the congregation named this charitable foundation in his honor:
The Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Foundation.
Speakers at the breakfast were all recipients of grants awarded by the foundation: Linette Crelly (Fellowship Hill Ministries), Linda Schafer
(Loaves and Fishes Southern Tier Food Pantry), Joanne Simmons (Olean Senior Center), Donna Kahm (Southern Tier Health Care System, Southern Tier
Child Advocacy Center), and Amy Pierce (YWCA Bradford).
Associates Gather in Allegany
by Sr. Jeanne Williams, OSF
Just prior to the closing celebration of our 150th anniversary, the first-ever gathering of associates was held in Allegany. About 30 associates from the
US, Jamaica and Brazil participated in a program which was coordinated by Jeanne Williams and Joyce Ramage.
The program began with a pizza party held at the Campus Ministry Center at St. Bonaventure University. The associates spent much of the next day at the
Motherhouse, becoming acquainted with the sisters and touring the Archives and Heritage Room, the Mission Society, and the Infirmary. After lunch, a
beautiful prayer of remembrance and thanksgiving was held in the cemetery, where the associates learned more about our sisters who played a major part in
the early history and growth of our congregation. Associates and sisters enjoyed a picnic supper at Letchworth State Park and visited its beautiful
waterfalls and lovely vistas.
The next morning, the group was treated to a tour of the St. Bonaventure campus, which included a visit to the rare book section of the library, the
university chapel, and the athletic center. In the afternoon, the friars at Mt. Ireneaus welcomed our group for a visit and joined us for a prayer service
in their beautiful chapel. The day came to a close with a delicious dinner at Sprague's Restaurant.
On Saturday, associates and sisters participated in a retreat offered by Kathy Maire, who challenged us to consider the ever-new story of Francis of
Assisi and how it calls us to embrace and live out our Long Range Plan as Franciscans in today's world. A visit to Canticle Farm followed.
Mark, the farm manager, explained many details about how the farm serves the local community. A cookout was held in the late afternoon at the Ritiro,
where all enjoyed much fun and laughter as well as a delicious meal.
The associate gathering culminated with the closing celebration of the 150th anniversary of our founding. Several associates participated in the
Liturgy as lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and flag bearers. Gathering around the banquet tables in our dining room for the festive meal brought our
time together to a close. All who participated were very grateful and enriched with a deeper sense of who we are and how we fulfill our Mission.
One associate summarized it well by saying: "Our experience at this gathering will change our view of ourselves as associates forever."
Something to Share from Bolivia
by Sr. Maria Miranda, OSF, and Sr. Elvira Donaldson, OSF
There is nothing more gratifying than the smiles of boys and girls when they feel important and loved.
One part of our apostolate in this distant corner of our country is with the children who, with much joy, come day after day to receive help
with their school assignments. For them, a schedule doesn't exist; they always arrive at least a half-hour early, and wait to come into the living room.
Going back some years, specifically to the year 2000, we began our mission in Sipe-Sipe (Cochabamba), a small town with many children and youth.
Among the various local needs, we discovered much poverty in the academic learning of children and adolescents. There were many students in grades
six, seven and eight who had great difficulty with reading and writing.
And so it was that, in 2001, we began the personalized assistance with schooling, helping them in the need of the moment: reading, writing,
mathematics, etc. We carried out this activity in the yard of our house, protected by the shade of the trees. Both youth and children attended with
enthusiasm and joy.
In the following year, we constructed a multipurpose hall and a small room for a library, works accomplished thanks to the donations of ACOR and
Franciscan Blessings, who still continue to send their donations, under the category of "great needs." This funding still supports the program
called the Centro Franciscano de Apoyo Escolar (CFAE - Franciscan Learning Assistance Center), a name given to it by the young women who still help us
with their service.
In addition, we are grateful to the Mission Society for helping us equip the library with books and two computers, as well as to our anonymous
benefactors, who by their generous support, help us strengthen the children's enthusiasm for learning more.
The program has grown and receives the recognition of teachers and parents. The joy of these little ones is our joy when they bring their good grades.
Thanks to them, our contact with the local school principals and teachers is positive in the sense that they open their doors to us with
friendship and gratitude. The relationship with the parents has been growing deeper little by little and now they are the ones who bring their
children to sign up for the programs.
Thanks to God and to you, our benefactors, for permitting us to continue with this work. Truly, one gives a little and in return receives more,
especially the satisfaction of seeing the happy smiles of the little participants in the program. We are grateful and remember in prayer all of you
who support our ministry.