10/22/09

October 23, 2009


The past three days have been busy ones for the Community Relations Department. About forty volunteers came to stuff envelopes for the Christmas Appeal. They started Tuesday morning and had the 16,000 plus envelopes stuffed, sealed and addressed by shortly after noon today, Thursday. Are they efficient? Yes. And they have such a good time working together. Thank you, volunteers.

Saturday we had about 70 guests for the Orphan Train Reunion. There are not too many survivors from the original riders, but the children and grandchildren of the original riders like to get together and share stories. For a couple people this was the first time they have been here. Our Sister Justina was an Orphan Train rider and arrived in Minnesota from New York City in about 1915. She was the one who started these reunions. This year was the 49th annual reunion. Their speaker was someone from the Foundling Home in New York City. I heard it was a very good program.

Last weekend I was in Cedar Rapids, IA for an SFO (Secular Franciscan Order) Gathering. It was a great weekend and I met many nice Secular Franciscans. I stayed at Sacred Heart Convent in Cedar Rapids, the Motherhouse for the Mercy Sisters. One very nice surprise for me was that my friend, Sr. Phyllis Ann, was there Saturday evening so we had a good visit. I didn’t know she’d be there and she didn’t know I’d be there.
Coming home on Monday the sky was clear all the way so along the way, I could see farmers busy harvesting corn.

Now we need some dry weather so our local farmers can get in the fields. We’ve had over an inch and a half rain so far this week. I’m still waiting for a couple weeks of Indian Summer.

Sunday we will be having a group of Confirmation Students coming for Mass at the Motherhouse. For some, I am sure, it will be their first time being at the convent.

More next week.
Pax et Bonum
Sister Mary Lou



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