When the month of December rolls in, the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany will be busy hosting a number of events for the public to enjoy at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on East Main Street in Allegany, N.Y.
Sister Mary Lou Lafferty, local minister of the congregation, said the events will kick off with the annual lighting of the Christmas Crib, or manger scene, in front of the Motherhouse at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6, and all are invited to attend. That ceremony will be followed by the 16th annual Shower for Mary activity, slated to be held at 7 p.m. in the Motherhouse chapel. Lafferty said participants are asked to bring baby gifts for newborn infants through size 4T. The gifts will then be distributed to new Gianna Molla Pregnancy Center and the Genesis House homeless shelter, both in Olean. Lafferty said the new Pregnancy Center is located in the former St. Mary’s school and is new to Cattaraugus County.
Requested shower items include onesies, diapers, baby wipes, sleepers, play clothes and receiving blankets. The items should be wrapped or placed in gift bags, if possible. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony.
“We’ve had the showers for years and choose one or two (charitable) places each year” as recipients, Lafferty noted.
In commenting on the history of the shower, Lafferty said it originated with Sister Rita Frances Guaracsi in 2002.
“It was through Sister Rita’s efforts a couple years later that the magnificent nativity scene adorned the Motherhouse lawn,” Lafferty recalled. “Sister (Guaracsi) was transferred from the Motherhouse in 2006, however, this past June Sister returned to the Motherhouse to retire. “What a surprise when she witnesses the number of people who participate,” Lafferty remarked.
Also on the Motherhouse agenda is the third-annual Christmas concert at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 in the chapel under the direction of local music director, Marcia Wymer.
The concert, titled “Great Joy A-Comin,” will include a free-will donation and a craft sale by the Sisters to raise funds for the needy in the area. The event will also have light refreshments.
When contacted, Wymer said the concert music will consist of solos, small groups and full choir songs, all related to Advent and Christmas.
“There will be 20 to 25 performers from Allegany, Olean, Hinsdale, Portville, Bradford (Pa.) and as far away as the Binghamton area,” Wymer said. “The concert will last about 90 minutes or so and include a tribute to our Armed Forces.”
She said if audience members would like to bring a picture of a loved one who is currently serving, or has served, there will be a time slated during the concert for their recognition.
Wymer said she looks forward to the concert all year.
“So many of us get bogged down with all the holiday junk that saps our energy and takes our focus away from what it should really be on,” Wymer commented. “When you hear about this concert and your immediate response is, ‘I can’t possibly go, I have too much to do,’ then you are the one it’s really designed for.
“I promise, if you take 90 minutes for yourself and just come to relax and clear your head of all the things on your to-do list, you will most definitely have time to get them all done,” Wymer added. “Or maybe it will give you the opportunity to prioritize what you really need to do, and help you determine what just isn’t that important.”
In commenting further on holiday activities at the Motherhouse, Lafferty said the Sisters also expect to have visits from Girl Scout troops as well as preschool children, among others.
“It’s a busy time of year — and people do think of us, “ she concluded.
