October 10, 2016

“’Thanksgiving’’ is the meaning of the Greek word “Eucharist.”  The attitude of thankfulness is central to Christian spirituality.  The debt of gratitude we owe for God’s faithful love can be repaid only in a two-sided coin: turning to God in thanksgiving and doing for others what has been done for us.”  These were the first words I read today in morning prayer.  Oh, how many things we have to be grateful for each day.  Let us say “Thank you” to God many times a day.  On a bright and sunny day like today, that is not hard to do!

Type into the internet “garbage dump, children, playground”.  You get a graphic picture of the meaning of ”He raises up the lowly from the dust: from the dunghill he lifts up the poor.” Psalm 113:7.  These are words from the Responsorial Psalm for today’s Mass.

Friday evening and Saturday we had an Associate/Sister Retreat day.  Sister Carmen  Barsody and Associate Veronica Rivadeneira were co-directors of the retreat.  Their leadership was greatly appreciated by the 60 of us making the retreat.

On Sunday six people were received as new Franciscan Associates.  They are: Camilo Barrera, Jan Duhnke, Steven Good, Betty Kampa Miller, Mary Poser and Mary Pull.  Welcome to our Franciscan Community.  May you and we be blessed for this new Franciscan relationship.

Tomorrow is Deanna Boone’s last day as here as Director of the Community Relations Department. She will be greatly missed as she’s been a wonderful leader of this department.  We will miss her.  Liz Rydeen is the new director.  Blessings on you, Liz, for taking on this new responsibility.  Having worked in the department, she knows some of the ropes.

This afternoon we are having a special Evening Prayer for Betty Tekin, sister of Sister Mary Amy Schreiner.  Betty died recently and Sister Mary Amy was not able to attend the funeral.

A Blood Drive is coming:  Tuesday and Wednesday, October 25 from 1 to 7 p.m. and Thursday, October 26, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Mark your calendars.

As another part of our 125^th Anniversary celebration, we have invited women who once were members of our Community to come join us on Sunday (16^th) for Mass, lunch and visiting.  They are important to us and we enjoy having them come back to visit.

Peace and blessings,

Sister Mary Lou