In Loving Memory – Sr. Alma Glenn, OSF May 25, 1931 – April 12, 2018
Sr. Alma was a Franciscan Sister of Allegany for 66 years. She spent 31 years as a missionary, teacher and principal in Jamaica, where she loved every moment of her time there with the children. She was a woman of great strength and intellect but had a calm spirit and a heart full of kindness.
Living for the Lord, Not Ourselves
“None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.”
– Romans 14:7-9
Dear Friends,
Sr. Alma Robert Glenn (pictured above) was a person who dedicated her life to living for the Lord. As a Franciscan Sister of Allegany for more than 65 years, she taught in schools in New York, New Jersey and Florida. She requested to be a missionary to Jamaica and began her ministry there in 1962.
She was first assigned to Chetwood Primary in Montego Bay, where she served for 15 years as a teacher and principal, as well as a Girl Guide leader and catechism teacher. Chetwood was the poorest of the Franciscan Sisters’ Jamaican schools. Sr. Alma’s classroom was actually half of one room that was separated by blackboards. The room was overcrowded, but she would come in quietly every day and the children were happy.
Sr. Alma moved to Kingston in 1977 where she was principal at Alvernia Prep School until 1993. She returned to the Motherhouse in Allegany in 1995, assisting with medical billing and serving as the chapel sacristan. She officially retired in 2010, but she was determined to keep herself busy. She happily volunteered wherever she was needed, especially in the Archives. She also loved to knit and crochet lap robes for patients and hats for newborn babies at Olean General Hospital.
Years ago, Alvernia Prep honored Sr. Alma by naming one of their buildings the “Alma Glenn Hall.” I attended Mass in this room when I visited in 2015. The room was full of over 100 happy children, singing about the “man from Galilee.” I believe this would have given Sr. Alma the biggest smile and prompted one of her well-known words: “bee-you-tee-full”!
Alma Glenn Hall at Alvernia Prep School in Kingston, Jamaica.
The school is seeking Mission Society funds to improve this area where Mass, concerts, graduation and other special events are held.
The St. Elizabeth Mission Society recently received a grant request for $5,000 for the “Alma Glenn Hall Improvement Project” at Alvernia Prep School. The hall is the area where special functions such as school Mass, Christmas concerts, and graduation are held for all the students in grade K-12. Administrators are seeking to improve the multipurpose space by installing new windows and two air conditioning units. Their long-term goal is that the improvements would also generate income by renting the space. Their grant request is part of their overall project budget of $11,000. They will also enlist the help of their PTA as well as conduct a fundraiser for the remaining funds.
All Souls’ Day on November 2 is a time for us to remember our departed loved ones and pray for their eternal lives. 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.
To know Sr. Alma was to know that she was always the calm in the midst of a storm. She was extremely gentle but had incredible inner strength. She was intelligent, exceptionally well organized and always willing to learn new things. She thought everything through and was very quiet. No job was unworthy of her full attention and dedication to completing it the best way.
Let us remember Sr. Alma and all the souls of the departed on All Souls’ Day and throughout the month of November as Mass and prayers are offered at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. 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 our donors every day. You have helped our Sisters minister to those who are poor in Jamaica, Brazil, Bolivia and the U.S. As always, your gifts help our Sisters and their Partners in Ministry live for the Lord and not themselves.
Let us continue to live for the Lord in everything we do,
Laura Whitford
President, St. Elizabeth Mission Society
Click HERE for the 2018 All Souls’ Appeal
Sr. Alma Robert Glenn, OSF
Birth Date: May 25, 1931
Reception Date: Aug. 15, 1951
Final Profession: Aug. 16, 1958
Entered into the Fullness of Life: April 12, 2018
