A Time to Pray & Remember
I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ said the Spirit, ‘let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them.’ – Revelation 14:13
Dear Friends
On November 2, the Church celebrates All Souls’ Day, which is a day of prayer for deceased souls. This is the profession of faith we continue to make, and it is the promise on which we base our hope for eternal life for ourselves and for all those who have died. In His death and Resurrection, Jesus has conquered death for all those who believe in Him.
All Souls’ is a time to remember our loved ones through prayer and sharing memories. This past year, 12 of our Franciscan Sisters of Allegany were welcomed home into the arms of the Lord. These Sisters lived a faithful life, not only to God, but to our Congregation, through their ministries. They were teachers, administrators, principals, librarians, nurses and pastoral assistants in schools and hospitals in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, Georgia and Brazil.
The verse above from Revelation reminds us that God’s people can produce fruit that survives even death. God will remember our love, kindness and faithfulness. Those who accept Christ through our witness will come together in eternal life. The “fruit” these Sisters produced were countless children who received education for a lifetime, patients who received healing care and individuals who received the Good News through their relationships with the Sisters.
Of the Sisters who passed this year, several of them facilitated Mission Society support for their ministries. Sr. Roberta Brunner received a grant for an ice machine at Trinity Café in Tampa, Florida to bring cool drinks to hungry people living in a hot climate. Sr. Janet Finley had a long career with St. Luke’s School and parish in Palm Springs, Florida. She received numerous grants to bring technology upgrades to the school as well food and clothing to community members. Sr. Harriet Hamilton helped bring food and clothing to the rural poor in Cortland, New York, as well as support for older adults receiving socialization and exercise at a community center.
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. Please also consider a gift that will continue our departed Sisters’ good works by supporting education, health care and comfort for those who are in need of food, clothing and other assistance.
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, their Associates and their partners in mission minister to those who are poor in Jamaica, Bolivia, Brazil, 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
Click HERE for the 2024 All Souls’ Appeal
