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In this Issue:
Welcome Sister Death
Reflections on Sr. Thérèse Joyce
Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe
News from Snyder
St. Joseph's Founders Day
Tampa Associates Meet
BayCare Feeding Tampa Bay
Leviticus Fund
Sr. Kathie's Adventure
Celebrity Artists Visits
Birthday Greetings
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BORN: Katherine Rita Joyce on August 10, 1919 in County Galway, Ireland
DIED: October 9, 2023 at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY.
DAUGHTER OF: Peter and Mary McDonnell Joyce, Dorchester, MA.
Sr. Thérèse entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on August 14, 1940, was received into the Congregation on August 15, 1941, and professed her final vows on August 16, 1948. Committed to the Franciscan charism, Sister lived for 83 years as a devoted member of the Allegany Franciscan Sisters sharing her life in community and ministry.
Thérèse attended St. Patrick’s and St. John’s Schools and graduated from Roxbury Memorial, all located in Roxbury, MA. She attended Mt. St. Joseph’s Teacher’s College, Buffalo, NY; St. Elizabeth Teacher’s College, Allegany, NY and Nazareth College in Rochester, NY, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a concentration in English and a minor in History. She pursued graduate studies at Glassboro State, Glassboro, NY; Mt. St. Cloud State College, St. Cloud, MN and Marywood College, Scranton, PA, graduating with a Master of Science Degree in Library Science.
Sr. Thérèse’s ministry in education includes teaching in Congregational Schools, St. Margarets in Winsted, CT, Christ the King in Haddonfield, NJ and Assumption in Pamona, NY, where she also served as Principal and Superior of the Convent.
Her career as a librarian began at St. Marys of the Angels Academy in Haddonfield, NJ and included St. John the Baptist in West Islip, NY where she was the Department Chairperson of the Library for 20 years. In 2006, after serving Congregational Schools for 66 years, Thérèse retired and was warmly welcomed home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY.
Retirement certainly didn’t slow Thérèse down, as her daily schedule included a thorough front to back reading of several newspapers, a full day of activities at the Motherhouse, taking time to write a note of gratitude, send birthday wishes, complete word puzzles, opening and responding to personal mail and of course, praying. Thérèse loved her God, the Blessed Mother, her community, family and friends. She will be greatly missed and remembered lovingly by everyone blessed to have known her. Thérèse’s soft, tender smile and keen wit was a ray of sunshine to all.
Thérèse is predeceased by her parents, Peter and Mary McDonnell Joyce; Sisters: Sr. M. Francis Joyce, a Franciscan Sister of Allegany, Margaret “Peggy” Joyce, and Patricia (John) Boutilier, her brothers James M. Joyce and John J. “Joe” (Dianne) Joyce; nephew James M. Joyce Jr.; nieces Dianne Kaemmerer and Donna Dininno; grandnephew Travis Kemmerer, nephews-in-law Joseph Nunes, David Dininno and cousin Thomas Joyce.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Evelyn (James) Joyce; nieces Patricia Nunes, Dorothy (Jim) Sorocco, Carol (Michael) Micciche, Evelyn (Michael) DeMartino and Denise Joyce; nephews John F. (Karen) Joyce and John P. (Brittany Simmons) Joyce; and by very special cousins, Bette Joyce, Fr. Peter Joyce, Paul Joyce, Maryellen Joyce and Austin Joyce.
Sr. Thérèse also is survived by many special grandnephews, grandnieces, great-grandnephews and great-grandnieces.
A wake service was held Wednesday, October 18th in the chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, October 19th in the chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse with Fr. Peter Joyce, presiding. Burial followed in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, New York. For condolences, please visit www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.
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Reflections on Sr. Thérèse Joyce | |
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Several Sisters wanted to share their thoughts on Sr. Thérèse Joyce:
Sr. Thérèse Joyce was short of stature but a giant of a woman. Her zest for life never ceased to amaze me. Up until very recently she attended all the activities. She told me they expected her to be there.
She read the newspaper from front page to back page and did the Jumble word puzzle each day. She also read the classified section. I asked her if she was looking for a job. She said, “No, but I like to see what is available.”
When I visited her in her room her hand was holding her rosary or a pen, keeping up with her correspondence. She took care of her own mail until the end.
She loved her God, the Blessed Mother, her community, her family, and her many friends.
As I said, she was small of stature – wore small shoes but left us with big shoes to fill!
~~ Sr. Elaine Cote
As a primary grade teacher she made you feel special and that God loved you. When communicating with her as an adult, she made you feel the same way.
She was grateful for all that was done for her. She wrote a thank you note to let you know it.
She read the newspaper every day and was interested in what was happening around her.
Even in her later years, she participated in community activities and supported events for those in need.
~~Sr. Rosemary Higgins
had her as a teacher
She was a prolific correspondent, not only in the Motherhouse but beyond, never forgetting to acknowledge a birthday or a special day.
~~Sr. Sharon O’Neil
Thérèse knew what she was about. Accomplished and responsible, she was a dynamo in the daily scene, interested in everyone and engaged to the fullest in life’s activities. She was completely in charge in the library in West Islip, NY.
~~Sr. Janet Sullivan
There was always a peaceful atmosphere in the library.
~~Sr. James Christopher
She was special – always happy and smiling, friendly, helpful. She was like St. Therese, whom she loved. She was 100 percent Irish and she dressed up for every holiday.
~~Sr. Roseanne Duffy
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Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe Formed | |
Franciscan friars from six provinces across the United States gathered last week in Kansas City, Mo., to form the coast-to-coast Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
During this synodal, week-long Chapter, the men shared their experiences as Friars Minor, listened to the views of others, asked the Holy Spirit to guide them, and discerned together about how to continue to walk the pilgrim path together.
You can read more here:
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Sisters Leaving Christ the King Convent | |
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This message was shared on October 10, 2023:
Dear Sisters and Associates,
As the Lord’s vineyard continues to yearn for more laborers, we have acknowledged that our congregation is becoming smaller with reduced capacity while our needs continue to change in these times. We remain encouraged by our 2021 Chapter theme, “Behold, I Am Doing Something New, Listen!”
It is against this background and with mixed emotions we announce that we will be leaving Christ the King Convent, Snyder, New York, at the end of October 2023. Our sisters have served more than 80 years in the school and parish. In addition to the school and parish ministries, several of our sisters served over the years, within the environs of Buffalo and Snyder while residing at the convent. To this end, Sisters Joyce Ramage and Sharon Radice will be relocating. This brings to closure a significant chapter in our ministry.
We are unceasingly grateful to God for the openness of the people in the Buffalo area to have journeyed in faith with our sisters over the past eight decades. These years of service with precious memories are etched in our history.
Peace!
Congregational Leadership
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St. Joseph's Founders' Day Celebrated | |
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By Frances Siracusa, M.Ed.
On Friday, October 6, 2023, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa celebrated its 89th anniversary and Founders’ Day.
Festivities included a Mass of Thanksgiving and a special luncheon honoring the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. The Sisters’ vision and enthusiastic response to the health care needs of this community demonstrate what is possible when answering God’s call. Our Mass attendees included 24 Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, team members, volunteers, and physicians representing different areas of the hospital.
Father Ken Gerth, Father Aloysius Ezenwata, Father Alex Agbata and Father Saji Thengumkudiyil con-celebrated the Mass. FSA Congregational Minister Sr. Margaret Magee read the First Reading, Sr. Pat Tyre read the Responsorial Psalm, and Sr. Pat Shirley read the Prayers of the Faithful. Sr. Maria dos Santos and Frances Siracusa brought up the gifts. SJH President Phil Minden gave the welcome, Marty Purtell played the organ, and our Cristo Rey High School corporate work study intern Lucas was the altar server.
During the luncheon, we also honored our deceased Franciscan Sisters of Allegany who died between 2021 – 2023 with a special ceremony calling their names and lighting a candle in each Sister’s honor. The Sisters offered words of thanks to SJH leadership and team members for carrying on Jesus’ mission of compassion and healing, especially for the poor of the Tampa Bay community. The Sisters ended the event with their special Song of Blessing over the group. It was amazing to see and hear, and some team members were brought to tears in their emotion.
We cannot wait to celebrate our 90th anniversary and Founders’ Day on Friday, October 4, 2024, on the Feast of St. Francis. All are welcome to attend. More details forthcoming!
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“The Spirit is Moving in Tampa Bay!" | |
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After beginning our month with a few of us sharing the Transitus Service with the Miami Associate group and celebrating the Feast of St Francis with our Holy Name Friars in NYC, both by Zoom, the blessings continued!
On Saturday, Oct. 14th, the Tampa Bay Associates gathered at St. Elizabeth’s Convent for our monthly hybrid meeting. We were delighted to have so many of our Sisters joining us for our meeting, as well as our annual Associate Covenant Renewal Ceremony which followed. It truly has been gift to have so many joining us, as together we seek to grow and encourage one another on our Franciscan journey.
After welcoming those joining us via Zoom from California, Arizona, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and even Canada, we were blessed to have Sr. Nancy Christopher, OSF, share some reflections on St. Clare with us. It was evident from the discussion which followed, that many of us gained a new perspective of St. Clare, her strength, her courage, and her resolve. We still have much to learn from her and we are eager to explore even more how we, like Francis and Clare, can also have a positive impact on a divided world and Church, not so different from the one in which they lived.
The Tampa Bay Associates who were able to attend, renewed their commitment to the Gospel and Associate Way of Life, prayerfully supported by our Sisters. The ceremony was followed by a small reception where delicious treats and continued conversation were enjoyed by all.
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Pictured, (left of TV) Sr. Gloria Oehl, Nancy Harrigan, Frances Siracusa, Sr. Liz Schumacher, Linda Dees, Sr. Pat Shirley.
(right of TV back row) Cheryl Maggio, Sr. Nancy Christopher, Marion Tarallo, John (friend of Nancy Harrigan), Judy Born, Cindy Marks.
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BayCare Feeding Tampa Bay | |
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BayCare's CEO Cabinet and Board of Directors assembled hundreds of healing bags at Feeding Tampa Bay to be given to patients in need. They are dedicated to fighting food insecurity across West Central Florida and are grateful for their partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay. Sister Pat Shirley, who is on the BayCare board, says "Our partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay is innovative and enables us to make a difference, one person at a time." She estimates 21,000 healing bags and interventions for 2023.
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Leviticus Fund Plans to Tackle Housing Issues | |
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Sister Gloria Oehl has passed along this information:
Since FSA has been a supporter of the Leviticus Fund we are happy to see its growth and impetus for change. These are some facts from the Leviticus Fund newsletter:
What if I told you that by solving just one problem – housing – we could also help address major issues like physical and mental health challenges, economic inequality, and climate change?
To help address this shortage, the Leviticus Fund’s 2022-24 Strategic Plan includes a commitment to create, rehab, or preserve housing for 3,000 low-income households. This includes homes for 1,800 very low-income people and 1,350 individuals or family members receiving supportive services for special needs.
You can read more here:
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Sr. Kathie Uhler's Adventure in the Sky | |
Celebrity Artist Visits Motherhouse | |
Artist and pumpkin carver extraordinaire Eric Jones stopped by St. Elizabeth Motherhouse twice this month: Once to draw caricatures of several of the sisters; and again to carve a pumpkin and to share some stories about being on the TV shows "Halloween Wars" and "Outrageous Pumpkins." Eric also talked about carving a 2,023-pound pumpkin at The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence, NY, that was later seen during the Buffalo Bills football game October 15 on NBC-TV. Next up on Eric’s high profile agenda is carving the world record pumpkin that weighs in at 2,749 pounds. | |
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Newsletter Content Submission Deadline:
November 13th Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - November 10th
November 27th Publication: Due 12:00pm EST - November 24th
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