By Laura Whitford, President
St. Elizabeth Mission Society & Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Foundation
Chapter Six in the Book of Romans reminds us of the redeeming power of our Lord’s love for us. When we are born into Christ, our sin dies. God changes our hearts through salvation, and we focus on serving Him and not ourselves. God’s grace, and the new life it gives, is a gift.
By proclaiming, or preaching, the Gospel, we are offering others the chance to change their hearts as well as become disciples of Jesus Christ. The best way we can show others the light of Christ is to let Him shine through our actions.
Our Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in Brazil, Bolivia, Jamaica and the U.S. live the Gospel by being a loving presence of Christ in the lives of those who are suffering. The Mission Society assists them in these efforts through grant awards made possible by you, our generous benefactor.
Sr. Grace Yap, OSF with Franciscan Ministries in Kingston, Jamaica focuses on community development and relief, with the goal to help people become self-sufficient, independent and working in a job or becoming an entrepreneur.
Our Sisters were some of the founding members of Santa Casa de Misericórdia in Anápolis, Brazil. The hospital serves patients from 45 cities who are poor, especially children, the elderly and expectant mothers. This year, a Mission Society grant helped purchase much-needed wheel chairs for transporting and bathing patients, small medical equipment, material for staff uniforms and mattress covers.
Our Sisters are part of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), which has a Collaborative Ministries in Lake Providence, Louisiana. Mission Society funding helped pay utility bills and rent for some families. When receiving assistance, the families also received financial counseling to help them manage their funds in the future.
Your prayers and support allow the Mission Society to help thousands of people each year through the good works of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and their partners. You have brought food, clothing, shelter, medicine and education to those who have little to nothing. Please consider a gift this Easter that will bring hope to a family who has no where else to turn.
May you ever be a witness to Christ’s promised salvation,
Laura
“. . . just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” – Romans 6:4
To order our 2017 Easter Card, click HERE
To read our Easter 2017 Appeal, click HERE
