February 22, 2010 -- Sunny February

Greetings on a sunny February day. I took my little blue battery operated cart outside for a little spin this afternoon and yesterday and the day before, too. Saturday I got the minutes written up from the St. Camillus Advisory Board meeting. So today I took them over to Lisa so she can make copies and send them out. It was great to be outside for a while.

Last week my friend, Ron, said, “If you put an ‘e’ in ‘Pacemaker,’ then you have ‘Peacemaker.’” I thought, “What a Lenten Resolution!” And I guess it is true not only for me, but for everyone. Pat had the following information in her display in the Library window:

Lenten Reflection

Give up complaining—focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism—become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgments—think kindly thoughts.
Give up worry—trust divine Providence.
Give up discouragement—be full of hope.
Give up bitterness—turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred—return good for evil.
Give up negativism—be patient.
Give up anger—be more patient.
Give up pettiness—become mature.
Give up gloom—enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up jealousy—pray for trust.
Give up gossiping—control your tongue.
Give up sin—turn to virtue.
Give up giving up—hang in there!


Now for three music opportunities:

Charlie Maguire, folk song composer and performer, is staying at St. Francis Center this week while he is working with students at Lindbergh Elementary School. He is part of the Arts Alive Program and helps students compose and perform their music. Charlie has stayed here at the Center the past 5 + years. Thursday evening he will entertain the Sisters during the supper hour and join us for the meal. He wrote some of the music for the Orphan Train performance at the Minnesota History Theatre a couple years ago. Maybe you’ve heard Charlie on Public Radio.

On Sunday, February 28th at 1 p.m., there will be a free concert in Sacred Heart Chapel by “Mila.” Mila is a professional women’s vocal ensemble committed to the authentic reproduction of vocal traditions from over 30 countries. Mila’s nine singers all hail from unique musical backgrounds. Between then, the singers of Mila speak nearly a dozen languages. The name “Mila” has connotations including “dear one,” ‘love” and celebration,” in many of the languages represented by its repertoire. Through its music, Mila celebrates the beauty of the world’s cultures. Come, join us for the concert.

Celo V’ec, strings instructor at St. Francis Music Center, is creating a Women’s Slavic Choir in the style of Mila, so anyone interested in joining this choir can take this opportunity to hear this style of music. Celo is the founder of the world famous Yale Women’s Slavic Choir. Let the Music Center know if you are interested in joining this group.

Last Friday, Shelly Funeral Chapel sponsored the Chamber of Commerce Friday Morning Coffee event. After the visiting and announcements, the Mayor read a beautiful prayer and then 13 white doves were released. I got to hold one of the birds and let it go. Terry Nelson trains these beautiful, white homing pigeons. (I wonder how you train a bird.) Often Terry releases a bird at the end of a burial. I know he has done so a few times in our cemetery. It is beautiful to see.

Every Friday during Lent we have Stations of the Cross at 3:30 p.m. You are invited to come.

We have many little nooks and crannies around the building. The picture below is a little work of art as one enters the dining room.

God bless you.
Sister Mary Lou