St. Elizabeth Mission Society

Remembering Our Loved Ones

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.”  – 1 Thess. 4:13-14

Dear Friends, 

On November 2, the faithful join in prayer for the souls of our dear departed as we celebrate All Souls’ Day. This special day is a time for us to feel united in love with family and friends who have passed away. The Mission Society specially remembers two Sisters who played critical roles with programs that the Mission Society supports.

Sr. Maureen Clare Hall taught and served on the boards of many schools in Kingston, Jamaica. In her retirement, she started the Franciscan Outreach program, or “Back Door Ministry.” She welcomed the elderly poor every month by providing them with food and medicines. They were dear to her heart, and she saw the face of the suffering Christ in them. The Mission Society has supported her ministries through grants to her schools and currently provides $250/month to St. Francis Primary & Infant School to help feed children lunch who need it; $950/month to St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College for tuition, lunch programs and school supplies for the students; and $150/month to the “Back Door Ministry.”

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Sr. Anne Rothmeier was a founding member of a “community supported agriculture endeavor” in Allegany, New York, which became a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany known as Canticle Farm in 2002. Sr. Anne served as the director for the first two years. She enjoyed her time at the farm, riding the tractor or tending to the crops. The Mission Society has provided almost $70,000 in grant funds to the farm since its inception. The majority of this support has helped feed our neighbors by providing shares of fresh, organically-grown produce to organizations serving those who are experiencing poverty.

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Two other Sisters passed away this year who helped in the Mission Society office. Sr. Bernadette Mary Donovan worked part time in the 1990’s as secretary of correspondence and enrollments. She “found extra pleasure in assisting Sisters and other visitors as well as bringing order and harmony to her tasks.” Sr. Gerarda Cook assisted for a few years recently with assembling holiday cards with envelopes so they were ready for donors to use.

Let us remember these Sisters and all the souls of the departed on All Souls’ Day and throughout the month of November. We invite you to place your loved ones’ names on the form provided and return it to us. All the remembrances will be placed on the altar this November.

The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and all involved with the St. Elizabeth Mission Society thank God for you every day. You have helped our Sisters and their ministry partners minister to those who are poor in Jamaica, Brazil, Bolivia, Mozambique and the United States. As always, your gifts help further the work of our call to help our brothers and sisters in need.

Blessings on your family during this time of remembrance,

Laura Whitford, President

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Click HERE for the 2023 All Souls’ Appeal