Current News

FSSJ 2022 Chapter during their 125th Anniversary

A particularly pertinent quote Dr. DeBose shared with us was,
“Privilege is not about what you’ve gone through,
it is about what you haven’t gone through.”
Janaya Khan

The picture on the left is the ambiance we had in chapel;  the picture on the right shows Sr. Marcia Ann, General Minister,  with a relic, blessing the Sisters and residents of St. Francis Park at the Transitus.  The relic is a picture of Our Lady of Czestochowa given to Mother Colette by her father when she entered religious life.

Sr. Lynne Anne Schimminger, FSSJ was asked to create a logo for our 2022 Chapter with the theme Widen the Tent of Our Hearts.  She drew a Bedouin tent which would ordinarily have a closed back side. However, the back of this tent is open. It beckons us to move out into the future where God is leading us.  You’ll notice that the landscape has mountains and hills and is somewhat hazy. Our destination will become more defined as we engage in prayer and contemplative dialogue during the coming year.

The tent flaps are flowing with the breath of the Spirit, allowing for flexibility; the tent pegs are strong and durable to ground us in our Franciscan charism and the Gospel.

The striped colors of the tent signify our diversity since each Sister will be called to widen the tent of her heart in a unique, personal way. As we pray with this logo we are invited to sit awhile in the tent, enjoying the warmth and hospitality of God’s presence—and, then, to open wide the tent of our hearts bringing Christ to the world beyond ourselves.

Feel free to join with us in praying our Chapter Prayer below.

Chapter prayer

Gracious God, we are challenged by the prophet Isaiah to enlarge the tent of our hearts, open wide our tent curtains, lengthen our ropes and strengthen our stakes.

May we not hold back, but stretch our hearts to the limit, embracing all persons as our sisters and brothers.

May our tent stakes go deep to keep us rooted in Christ and
our Franciscan charism.

May we spread our tent flaps unsparingly, clearing out our biases and making room for more compassion.

May we keep our tent cloths supple enough to allow for flexibility, risk, and abundant blessing.

God of Extravagant Love, may we see your beauty reflected in all the faces of humanity that You so love.  Amen

 FSSJ Jubiarians

Sister Bertina Rapnicki is celebrating her 75 Anniversary.  Sister entered the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph in 1942 from St. Hedwig Parish, Detroit, MI, and she professed her final vows in 1950.  Sr. Bertina was taught by the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Hedwig Elementary School and Immaculata Academy.  Sister had a unique experience in that three of her sisters entered the same congregation.

Sister Bertina received her M.E. from Marygrove College in Detroit, MI.  Her ministry began when she taught elementary grades at St. Anthony, Fairfield, CT; St. Stanislaus, Trenton, NJ; Holy Rosary, Kenosha, WI; Monessen Catholic, Monessen, PA;

St. Stanislaus, Chicopee, MA.   Subsequently, Sister was called on to become Principal at St. Charles Borromeo, Milwaukee, WI and then at Holy Rosary in Kenosha, WI.

Sister Bertina’s dedication to Catholic education earned her much admiration and gratitude for all she did for her students and their families.  The Sisters who live with Sr. Bertina, as well as the students she taught and her co-workers learned faith, perseverance, and hope from her.

Sister Marvina Kupiszewski is celebrating her 75 Anniversary. Sister was born in Auburn, NY and entered the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph in 1945 from St. Hyacinth Parish.  Sister made her final profession of vows in 1950.  Sr. Marvina received her M.A. in Art from Notre Dame University.

At the beginning of Sister’s service to God’s people, she taught in elementary schools at St. Columba, Buffalo, NY; St. Vincent, North Evans, NY; St. Francis of Assisi, Athol Springs, NY; St. Josaphat, Milwaukee, WI. Sr. Marvina’s artistic giftedness was noticed and supported by the congregation when they sent her to Notre Dame University, Alverno College, St. Mary of Woods and Catholic University for her studies in

art.  Sister taught art at Immaculata Academy and at Hilbert College.  While at Hilbert College, Sr. Marvina was a leader in the charismatic prayer group established by Fr. Gabriel, OFM, Conv.  Sr. Marvina shared her artistic talent with FSSJ and the Church by providing art for brochures, programs, logos, and more.

Because of Sr. Marvina’s love of history and congregation, she became the FSSJ Archivist and created the Polish Resource Center at Immaculate Conception Convent at 5286 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY.

The Sisters who live with Sr. Marvina, the students she taught and her co-workers learned faithfulness, integrity, and prayerfulness from her.

Sister Edmunette Paczesny, taught by the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Josaphat School in Milwaukee, WI, entered the congregation in 1955 and professed her vows in 1960.  Sister Edmunette received her Ph.D at Fordham University.  The majority of her service to God’s people was in higher education at Hilbert College, first as a professor at Hilbert and, then, as the second President of Hilbert College.  Sister was President for 31 years. Under her leadership, Hilbert College grew from being a two year college to becoming a four year college.  Sister’s leadership was definitely servant leadership, especially enjoying taking time with students as they progressed through their education at Hilbert.

Sister Edmunette made Hilbert well known not only in Hamburg but throughout the WNY area.  She was honored with many awards, receiving the Hamburg Citizen of the Year Award given in 1996 by Hamburg Independent Citizen Club and the Gaudete Medal from St. Bonaventure University in 2006.  Sr. Edmunette is still very much involved in continuing the Mission and Franciscan tradition at Hilbert College.

The Sisters who live with Sr. Edmunette, the students she taught, and her co-workers learned humility, good humor and faithfulness from Sr. Edmunette.

Sister Joyce Kubiniec is celebrating her 65 Anniversary.  Sister entered the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph in 1956 from St. Joseph Parish in North Tonawanda, NY after being taught by the FSSJ Sisters there.  Sr. Joyce professed her final vow in 1960.  She received her B.A. in Education and her M.A in Library Science.

Sister began her ministry teaching in elementary schools at Most Precious Blood, Angola, NY; Holy Cross, Fall River, MA; Holy Trinity Niagara Falls, NY; and St. Hyacinth in Auburn, NY.   Sister Joyce’s love of books and reading called her to serve the congregation as a librarian at Hilbert College.

Then Sister served God’s people in retreat work, as well as in Pastoral Ministry at St. Stanislaus, Chicopee, MA and St. Rita in Rochester, NY.

Presently, as the librarian at St. Francis Park in Hamburg, NY, Sister Joyce continues her love of reading and encourages others to read.   The Sisters who live with Sr. Joyce, her past students and co-workers have learned joy, love of learning and deep faith from Sr. Joyce.

FSSJ Celebrate Jubilarians with Bishop Michael Fisher

FSSJ Celebrate 125th  Anniversary at
St. Francis Parish, Athol Springs, NY

Fr. Ross Syracuse, Pastor at St. Francis Parish, gives the welcome to all at our celebration

Sister Marcia Fiutko, FSSJ, General Minister of our Order, invites the Sisters to renew their vows of Poverty, Celibate Chastity and Obedience.

Those who taught or ministered at St. Columba:
Sr. Deborah, Sr. Lucille Ann, Carmen Rivera (FSSJ Associate), Sr. Karen, Susan Odle.

Friends from Catholic Health
Joyce Markiewicz, Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer at Catholic Health, and Jill Hirczak, Life Enhancement Director at St. Francis Park.

The Sisters started the day with the Sisters in Leadership pinning on corsages on each Sister.  Sister Marcia Ann, General Minister,  pins a corsage on Sister Angelis.  The corsages were made by Sr. Benedicta.

St Francis Park Reaches Out to People from Ukraine

Catholic Health System asked each of their facilities to collect articles for the refugees in the Ukraine.  Under the guidance of Jill Hirczak, the residents and staff of St. Francis Park collected enough funds to purchase a car load of blankets, wipes, and underwear.   With the assistance of Sr. Deborah Marie and Don Schiedel, these were delivered to the Catholic Health System’s headquarters in Buffalo which then delivered them to the refugees.  Sister Benedicta Dega also crocheted baby blankets for the collection.

Remembering Sister Gregory

Sister Gregory was remembered in a special celebration of root beer floats.  Sister Gregory went to God last month but she was a person that could not be forgotten.  Some of the residents at St. Francis Park said just her smile and good humor brightened their day. 

The Sisters will remember her for her kind words, good humor and big and generous heart. One of Sister Gregory’s nephew’s  surprised the Sisters, residents and staff at SFP by giving us a root beer float party – which brought back memories of the many times Sister Gregory treated us with root beer floats. 

Tour of FSSJ Art at St. Francis Park

Monthly FSSJ history presentations have been offered to St. Francis Park residents by Sister Sharon Goodremote, archivist, and assistant, Sister Carol Czyzewski.  These talks acquaint lay residents with examples of our heritage such as our mission and ministries, significant convents, and religious life in general.  Sisters who attend the sessions often add personal recollections about the topics;  lay residents, eager to participate, voice their questions and affirmation of the sessions.  On February 15, 2022, Sister Sharon led an initial walking tour of FSSJ art, especially works by Sister Geraldine Rutkowski and by Sister Marvina Kupiszewski.  These master artists’ paintings–along with art by other Sisters and with treasured holy images–celebrate the FSSJ patrimony being highlighted during our 125^th anniversary.  In March, Sister Sharon will conduct a second art tour to include additional paintings, sculptures, and icons.

Praying to End Human Trafficking

St. Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 in western Sudan.  She was seized by Arab slave traders.  Over the course of twelve years (1877–1889) she was sold three more times and then she was finally given her freedom.  Josephine became a Canossian Sister and forgave her captors.

St. Josephine Bakhita is venerated as a modern African saint, and as a statement against the brutal history of slavery. St. Josephine Bakhita has been adopted as patron saint of modern Sudan and human trafficking survivors.  She was canonized by St. Pope John Paul II.  Her feast day is February 8.

Remembering Sister Benilda

celebrated her birthday in heaven with her Loving God.  But we remembered her in a special way during this month when we celebrated her birthday with a cake given to us by Sr. Benilda’s nephew and we granted her wish to be on the Smucker’s jar for her 100 birthday.  Sr. Benilda shared her faith, hope, love and good humor with all of us and we miss her.

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr and All He Taught Us

The Sisters and residents of St. Francis Park gathered to remember the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. to pray that we and our nation come closer to living his dream and to live according to the teachings of Jesus, to love one another and respect each person for their gifts and uniqueness.  For this we prayed.

Praying for the Protection of the Unborn

January 22 the Sisters joined with the Church to pray for the protection of the unborn using the Litany of Life. 

FSSJ Gifts for Afghan Refugees

Besides sheets, towels, washcloths and various kinds of blankets, Sister Benedicta and Sister Lucille Ann crocheted baby blankets, hats and scarves.

Brother Mickey McGrath, O.S.F.S. creates a mural at Hilbert College that honors Mother Colette Hilbert, St. Joseph and St. Francis with students and staff as well as Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph

Prayer

Each Franciscan Sister of St. Joseph is praying together or privately for our world at this time.  Some pray in Chapel, some in parlors.  Where or however we pray, God is with us.  Know that you and your families have us holding you tenderly in our hearts.

As St. Francis taught us by example, we not only pray when we pray together but our hope and our call is to “become a prayer.” It is something all followers of Jesus are called to do.