May 9, 2008

Blessings and Peace.

Two beautiful yellow tulips on the dining room table at our house this morning! They were there last evening already. But I wasn’t home for supper so I didn’t notice them.

At breakfast on Sunday morning, John asked me if I’d been to the dam on the Mississippi River lately. I hadn’t so I stopped twice that day! The water is rushing over the top of the long mid-section of the dam and four of the eight gates are wide open. There is quite a splash when the water gets to the bottom. I enjoyed watching the water and feeling the mist on my face. The sun on the water made it look like moving diamonds. Now I drive past the dam anytime I’m nearby.

Our dear Sister Felicia Kroll, age 86, went to heaven last Saturday. May she be enjoying Life with the Lord. Sisters were sitting round the clock with her for a couple days before she died. I took a couple three-hour stretches in the middle of the night. It is a wonderful, quiet time to pray. The Sisters get wonderful care here in Clare Residence.
In Chapel, we have an eight-foot potted tree in honor of Sr. Felicia donated by her family members. The tree will be planted on the west side of the Motherhouse after the funeral.

This coming Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. May the Holy Spirit fill your life with the Gifts of the Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Council, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord.

Enjoy these nice spring days. I’m praying for farmers that they will be able to get their crops planted without further delays. Yesterday I had a message on the telephone answering machine. A couple weeks ago at the Home, Garden and Leisure Show here in Little Falls, I signed my name on a number of free drawings. Yesterday I found out that I won a day lily—it should be a yellow one. What a nice surprise.

Pax et Bonum
Sister Mary Lou

April 21, 2008

Peace and All Good.

This is the day the Lord has made. It is clouding up a bit now, but this morning was beautiful. And it is 67 degrees! The rain forecast for tonight will clean things up and knock off the protective coatings from the leaf buds on the trees. Soon our world will be green again. I can hardly wait.

I was just out at the greenhouse looking for "casings" or "worm casings." They didn’t have any. Sister Janice had gotten some as a gift and gave them to Sr. Evangeline who put this fertilizer on her baby African Violets. How they grew! And the leaves on the plants are so healthy and strong. I’m going to keep on looking.

The Blood Drive last week was a good success. They collected a total of 266 units of blood. That is a lot. God bless all the generous donors.

The Spaghetti Supper on Saturday evening also was a great success. We served 463 meals. That’s a lot of spaghetti and sauce. This noon for lunch we had leftover spaghetti and sauce. It is just as good the second time as the first time! One thing that delights me is to see how happy our guests were and how they enjoy visiting with one another during and after the meal. Celo and his strings players always give us great entertainment. God bless all the wonderful volunteers who helped serve, set and reset tables, wash dishes, clean up, provide bars and however else they helped out.

Tomorrow is Earth Day. We will have our Earth Day Celebration on Sunday, April 27th from 1 to 4 p.m. Everyone is invited to join us in St. Francis Hall. We will gather to reflect on the great gift and the mysteries of planet earth. We will have three speakers: Don Hickman, John Korzenlowski and Bernie Evans. Don Hickman, Program Manager for planning and Preservation at the Initiative Foundation, Little Falls, will speak on the topic: "A look at the demographic and economic changes we can anticipate in the coming decades, and what that could mean for our natural resources." John Korzenlowski, area Forest Supervisor, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, will share information about, "Trees: Our dependence on them, their dependence on us." From producing oxygen to providing building materials, we depend on trees. We also have a responsibility to ensure forests for the future. Bernie Evans, Professor at St. John’s University, will share "Catholic perspectives on the environment." Catholic teaching holds that the entire universe is sacramental and that we are to respect all life. What does that mean for how we respond to global warming and other challenges? Renew your commitment to take the utmost care of our planet for our sakes and for the sake of children.

Sunday, April 27th at 7 p.m. we will again have a Strings Concert in our Sacred Heart Chapel. There will be two groups of strings players. This will be an hour of good music to warm your heart. Come if you can. A free will offering will help support the strings music program.

Pax et Bonum.
Sister Mary Lou