27 Months . . . but B V M Arrives

In February of 2006 a friend of the Franciscan Friars, +Aunt Josie, died in Baltimore, MD. Her family wanted to donate a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Mission, as +Aunt Josie had a great devotion to Our Lady. So in May of 2007 the family purchased the statue. At first we were told it had be shipped to a "Brother Michael" in Central America. Then a few months later we were told she was on the island (Jamaica) but they just couldn't put their finger on the exact location. In August of 2008 we found here, in a garden in Mandeville. Actually she had been sent to the Passionist "Brother Michael" in Mandeville, where she was given a home on the lawn of St Paul's Cathedral. Through the tireless efforts of +Aunt Josie's Family, especially Pat, the long awaited statue was put in her home today. My hunch is: she could have walked from Baltimore, MD, to Above Rocks, Jamaica in 27 months...what do you think?

Special THANKS to the

Karwoski Family!

St Francis Day

St Francis Day Celebrations - Through the permission of the local Ordinary the Friars were able to celebrate the Feast of St Francis at the weekend liturgies (vs 27th Sunday of the Year). After Mass at each of the worship sites the Franciscans (friars and sisters) joined with the people of God for cake and juice (above). Later Sunday afternoon the Franciscan Sisters of Allegheny joined us for dinner (below). . . here you see: (left to right) Br Michael, Sr Marcia, Fr Michael, Sr Goretti, Sr Colleen, Sr Angela and Sr Terecita enjoying dessert, awaiting the full moon to come over the distant mountain. Not pictured, because she's getting the picture for us, is the FSE Postulant, Ana.