Foundress Day – December 18
A Memory of Mother Alfred: As we will be celebrating Foundress Day on December 18, here is a memory of her from one of the early Sisters:
“In my estimation, Mother Alfred was one of the greatest women of her time. . . Although her official duties were many and important, still, in her humility, she never considered any manual work too menial for her performance. As an example we might recall that the old “Ironton Farm” was one of her favorite resorts. Here, she and her sister, Sister Barbara, spent many hours ‘plying the hoe’ in the old-fashioned garden. Their livelihood was maintained by the fruits of their homely labor, where she found much joy and happiness.” Sister Petronilla Ehrmann (1874-1960).
Submitted by Sister Marisa McDonald, Congregational Archives.
Mother Alfred Moes was a true trailblazer… paving the way in an era when women leaders were rarely recognized. Her tenacity overcame the boundaries of race, religion, sex, and social status – sharing those values which the Rochester Franciscan Sisters carry forward today.
Journey to Stockholm
On Monday, November 24, Hemingway scholar Dr. Curtis DeBerg was present in the Community Room to receive an inscribed copy of a book to take to the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, Sweden. It is a 65-year journey! (See images below.)
- June 16, 1961: Ernest Hemingway inscribed a copy of The Old Man and the Sea to Sister Immaculata (Sister Helen Hayes).
- May 2021: Sister Lauren Weinandt rediscovered the book at Saint Marys Hospital.
- July 2023: Sister Lauren gave the book to Sister Tierney for Congregational storage.
- Fall 2025: Hemingway scholar Dr. Curtis DeBerg received permission from the Leadership Team to donate the book to the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, Sweden .
- November 24, 2025: Dr. DeBerg was presented with the book to take to Sweden on behalf of the Congregation, where many people will enjoy viewing it.
- January 23, 2026: Dr. DeBerg will present the book to the Nobel Prize Museum.
In addition, Dr. DeBerg gifted the Congregation with his two books on Ernest Hemingway that will appear soon in the Community Room Library:
- Wrestling with Demons
- Traveling the World with Hemingway (includes beautiful photos to accompany the text) Submitted by Sister Marisa McDonald, Congregational Archives
