God’s Gifts Within and Around Us

Since we failed to get last week’s blog posted last week, I’ll just include this week’ remarks on the same posting.

The 3/4s inch of rain last Friday was a wonderful blessing. I’m sure Mother Earth and all the plants and animals were as grateful as we were. Lawns are greening up nicely.

Yesterday Jeff, from the JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation) Department, and Rick, from the Franciscan Life Department, put together a fantastic program, Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Saint Francis Being Named Patron Saint of Ecology. The two excellent speakers were, Dr. Bernie Evans and Dr. Jessica O’Reilly from St. John’s/St. Ben’s. All of creation reflects the goodness and beauty of God. We’ve all had the “Oh” and “Ah” moments on seeing a beautiful sunrise or sunset or other beautiful sight. These experiences bring a “Thank you, God,” to my mind…and most probably to you, too.

A number of years ago, Elizabeth Roberts made these lovely large wooden symbols of creation: Brother Sun, Sister Moon and Stars, Sister Water, Brother Wind, Sister Bodily Death, and Sister Mother Earth. Here they are for you to look at once more.

Saturday, April 25th, there was a celebration at the St. Cloud Cathedral “Inspiring Hope and Celebrating our Community.” It was a time of song, prayer, Scripture Readings and hearing the stories of some of the people who have immigrated to the U.S.A. and their struggles to get here. Our Bishop Don led the service. Then after the “Church Part” we went over to Mary Hall for a snack and a dance program put on by many Hispanic children and youth from the Cold Spring area.

Friday evening’s Legacy Chorale Concert was fantastic. That group of about 60 singers really knows how to sing!!! That hour-and-a-half went by so fast. They sang many songs about “water.” Thank you, singers, for sharing your time and talent with us. From just watching you, we know you like to sing and to sing together.

This coming Sunday, May 3rd, we have our St Francis Music Center’s Spring Chorale Concert in Sacred Heart Chapel at 2 p.m. A reception will follow in St. Francis Hall

May 3rd is also the Spring Magic Dinner and Dance at the Falls Ballroom, sponsored by St. Camillus Place. This event is for mentally and physically challenged persons of Morrison County. Some are so excited about dancing that they can hardly eat their meal. Dancing from 1 to 4 p.m. really tires the dancers out, but they don’t give up.

May 1st is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. May he bless and care for all workers…and that’s a good many of us.

Peace and blessings,

Sister Mary Lou

April 22, 2015

Forty-fifth EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

This afternoon we had a Prayer Service of Psalms and songs to honor Mother Earth. “All creation is a song of praise to God” (Hildegard of Bingen, Mystic) The Canticle of Creatures by St. Francis praises all of creation: Sir Brother Sun, Sister Moon, the Stars, Brother Wind, Sister Water, Brother Fire, Sister Mother Earth, “those who give pardon for Your love, and bear infirmity and tribulation.” This is a day to raise awareness of the need to reduce waste, to recycle and to conserve energy. “Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility. Amen.”’

Two trees, donated by Julianna Fernandez in memory of her husband William, were blessed and will be planted on our grounds in the near future. Some water and soil, to be used at the planting, were also blessed.

At the Spaghetti Supper, Saturday evening, I asked the farmer at our table if he’d done field work or any planting yet. I loved his answer. “Oh, yes. We’ve been picking winter potatoes.” That’s the first time I’ve heard “picking rocks” called that. It does sound a little more fruitful than just “picking rocks.” I remember how happy my Dad was when the road construction guys came and asked him if they could buy his rock pile. He said, “I never dreamed I’d ever get money for all that back-breaking work.”

Sunday’s St. Francis Music Center’s­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Concert was another amazing success.

We served 373 meals the night of the Spaghetti Supper. I pretty sure no one went away hungry.

Monday, April 20th, was the funeral for Secular Franciscan Ed Feiler from Brainerd. He was a good friend and a wonderful Secular Franciscan…and is missed much by many of us.

Girls Camp is June 9, (10 a.m.) through June 11, (6 p.m.). The theme is “God’s Gifts Within and Around Us.” Girls who have completed grades 6 –8 are invited to attend. Contact Sr. Ange Mayers to register or for more information: (e-mail: amayers@fslf.org or 320-632—0680.)

Friday is Arbor Day. Plant a tree and be grateful for the gift trees are in our lives.

Friday evening, 7:30 p.m., the Legacy Chorale will honor s with a concert in our Chapel. You are invited to join us.

Sunday, April 26th, at 1 p.m. there will be a program in St. Francis Hall on Promoting Ecology. There will be several noted speakers. Again, you are invited to join us for this free presentation.

These two lovely watercolor pictures were painted by associate Bea Britz, and are on display in our convent dining room. There is beauty everywhere in our building. And we are grateful.

Sr. Joan Gerads has two guests from Venezuela visiting Minnesota this week. Yesterday’s dusting of snow delighted them. Then when the strong winds blew the snow around that excited them, too. (Most of us would be happier to see a gentle, soaking rain.) The guests also are fascinated by the trees getting leaves. That excites me, too, but for them it is a new thing that doesn’t happen in their country.

Peace and blessings on you and those you love,
Sister Mary Lou