Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and Associates

06/18/2026

We enjoy seeing students -- from kindergarten through college -- working and learning at Canticle Farm. ❤

06/18/2026

We hear the gospel proclaimed and Jesus’ teaching the disciples to pray in the words of the Our Father. We share a reflection on the Our Father written by Francis of Assisi. It is one of his least known writings, yet it captures his love and desire for God.

Our Father: Creator, Redeemer, Consoler, and Savior

Who are in heaven: in the angels and saints, enlightening them to love, because You, Lord, are love, dwelling and filling us with happiness as our Supreme and Eternal Good.

Hallowed be Your name: may our knowledge of You become ever clearer that we may know the breath of Your blessings and Your majesty.
Your Kingdom come: so that you may rule in us through Your grace, and enable us to come to your kingdom where there is unclouded vision of You,

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven: that we may love You with our whole heart, by always thinking of You, with our whole soul by always desiring You, with our who mind by directing all our intentions to You,

Give us this day our daily Bread: your own Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
And forgive us our trespasses: through Your ineffable mercy, through the power of the Passion of Your Beloved Son, together with the merits and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all Your chosen ones.

As we forgive those who trespass against us: and whatever we do not forgive perfectly, do You, Lord, enable us to forgive to the full, so that we may truly love our enemies and fervently intercede for them.

Lead us not into temptation: hidden or obvious. Sudden or persistent,
But deliver us from evil: past, present, and to come. Amen.

06/17/2026

On Wednesdays at noon everyone in St. Elizabeth Motherhouse is invited to say the St. Francis Peace Prayer. You're invited to join us. 🙏☮

06/17/2026

In our readings today there is a clear call to humility and reliance on the power of God. Whether in prayer or fasting, donating or serving those in need, our reason for doing so should not be to gain praise and recognition from others. Rather, our acts should always reflect our gratitude and giving back to God what has been given to us as gift.

Elisha, the student of the prophet Elijah, knew that he was not ready to go it alone. Yet, Elijah’s time to depart was drawing near and he said to Elisha, “Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha’s response was for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, wisdom and faith. This can be seen as Elisha recognizing his own lack of faith and courage. He was willing to humble himself and not presume himself to be better than Elijah.

May we continue to grow in faithful love through humility and grace, always putting the needs and wishes of others before our own.

06/16/2026

Just a few minutes ago one of our sisters said sometimes you need time to "just be." If we didn't know better, we'd think this picture was a perfect illustration of that. But we know that Isaac has a lot on his mind -- like an upcoming workshop on mushroom gardening and 🤞a firefly watch party. Canticle Farm

The best lightning bug show is expected any day now! We're watching the weather so that we can invite everyone to a Firefly Watch Party at Canticle Farm North. Isaac is eager to start! While we wait for a humid, windless evening for the fireflies, you can still hang out with Isaac and build a winecap mushroom bed at Canticle Farm South this Thursday evening, Workshop: Gardening with Mushrooms. Free event, 6:30 pm, see you there 🍄

06/16/2026

Happy Birthday! 🥳

06/16/2026

We would do well to reflect on the words of Jesus, “You have heard it said, love your neighbor and hate your enemy. Now I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This is a radical call to stop hatred and move from seeking revenge to extend forgiveness and reconciliation.

Our world is becoming more divisive and contentious. People are living in fear because of the oppression of racism and the violence of antisemitism. It is easy to love your neighbor, especially when it is someone you know, someone who looks, acts and believes as you do.

Are you aware that many of the world’s faith traditions have similar teachings? In Islam, the Quran states, “Repel evil with that which is better. And behold! The one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend.” In Hinduism, the Bhagavad Gita encourages seeing all beings as part of oneself to overcome fear. In the Old Testament book of Leviticus we read, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge…love your neighbor as yourself.”

In all faith traditions, the values of love, compassion, and forgiveness toward one’s enemies are essential. This is what God desires. Let us drive out fear and embrace peace.

06/15/2026

Once again, we hear, "You have heard it said…but now I say to you…” This is probably one of the most challenging and the most essential in living the gospel, especially in our world today.

The ancient legal principal, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” allowed for retribution or retaliation. The purpose of this law was to limit the extent of punishment, so it matched the harm and prevented excessive or disproportionate retaliation.

Jesus taught, “offer no resistance to one who is evil.” This perhaps sounded and still sounds very controversial and challenging. Who could simply offer no resistance and turn the other cheek?

Yet, his message is clear, when someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other cheek as well. Could this really be a lesson in peaceful resistance? Perhaps it is. If someone struck you on your right cheek the blow would be a backhanded slap. Being slapped in this way is meant to be demeaning and oppressive. So, by turning the other cheek the person would have to strike again with an open palm which connotes that the fight is between equals. It is standing one’s ground and not submitting to insult or abuse. As gospel people, we are called to be non-violent and peacemakers, while finding ways to advocate and speak out for ourselves and others against abusive power and cruelty. These may be hard lessons, yet it is true that anger and hatred only breed more violence. May we be peacemakers standing for justice and truth in our world today.

06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

06/14/2026

This Sunday we hear again of Jesus’ compassionate and loving heart. Matthew wrote that Jesus was moved when he saw the great crowd that had gathered. He sensed that they were troubled and left abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

He referred to the abandonment of the religious leaders whose focus on the adherence to the laws and ritual practices made them deaf to the needs, cares and concerns of the people. The people were suffering and aimlessly searching for something more meaningful, a better way of life.

Jesus gathered the disciples and gave them authority to cure and to heal. In response to the abandonment of the religious leaders, they were to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and tell them that the kingdom was at hand.

Too often religious rules and regulations can become a priority over Jesus’ teachings of kindness, compassion and mercy. Let us be guided by the Spirit of God and be attentive to remaining faithful while also reaching out to those who have been abandoned and disenfranchised by any church, faith group or by society. May we walk the way of Christ’s love and compassion.