Dear Friends,

We hope this message finds you well!  We are writing to extend a heartfelt invitation to a special event – the Homecoming Celebration at the Franciscan Center on Sunday, August 20, 2023.

The purpose of the Homecoming Celebration is to provide an opportunity for individuals, service associations, ministries, their leaders, and members to reunite and reconnect with the Center, and with fellow retreatants/participants whom they may have met here through the years. There will be several activities throughout the morning; Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am followed by a delicious brunch at 11:00 am. The brunch will conclude with a presentation by Sr. Margaret Mary Kimmins, OSF former General Minister of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and Franciscan Center Director along with some surprise cameo presentations. The afternoon will provide opportunities for continued reminiscing, outside games, storyboards/exhibit tables, raffles.

We hope that you will see this event as an opportunity to have a bit of a “homecoming” celebration with your team leaders/participants. You and your group have been a part of the Center’s rich history, touching the lives of countless individuals through your dedication and good work.

What are the next steps?

1. Register – as an individual participant or more importantly, as a ministry or program leader we ask you to foster a gathering of your colleagues by registering for a table of seven. Click here for individual ticket or Click here for a table of seven.
2. “Share Your Story” – We ask each group to prepare a “storyboard” with pictures, programs, and memorabilia of past activities held at the Franciscan Center. Attached is more information about the display board with dimensions and display tips.
3. Donate a Basket – each group is asked to provide a gift basket to be displayed at their “storyboard” table. Raffle tickets will be sold at the event for the support of the Franciscan Center so that we can continue to be a place of peace and joy for years to come. Drawings for each basket will conclude the event at 3:00 pm, although everyone will be welcome to continue to visit and enjoy the beautiful Center grounds.

If you have any questions or need further information about this event, please contact Lily Hughson at (813) 229-2695 or at lily@franciscancentertampa.org.

The Franciscan Center staff looks forward to welcoming you and your teams to a wonderful day of reminiscing, reconnecting, and imagining future opportunities to help you and your colleagues to “Find Your Center” at the Franciscan Center!

Best wishes for “peace and all good,”

Brian A. Lemoi
Executive Director