In like a lion, out like a lion

Now we are in February…it feels just like January with a minus 14 to start the day. January came in like a lion, ended like a lion and was a lion most every day of the month. At the dollar Store the other day, I saw seed packets and garden gloves…signs of hope that spring will come!

The big event of last week was our Employee Recognition Dinner, program and awards. We congratulate Tim Thomas for being awarded the Francis Award. This award is given each year to an employee who carries out our Franciscan Values in their day-to-day work and service. We have wonderful employees and I’d give each of them a Francis Award, if it were in my power. Robyn and Annie are to be commended for writing the script for the presentation of the years-of service awards. Congratulations to Jan Roering for her 35 years of employment in the Community Relations Department. Here a few pictures from the evening.

Saturday evening we had our Soup Supper. It was great to see so many friends come for soup and stay to visit with their family and friends. We served approximately 365 guests. We thank you for joining us.

Sister Fabian will be celebrating her 80th anniversary as a Franciscan Sister in August. She received her first card and gift this past week. We join you, Sr. Fabian, in rejoicing in the goodness of God to let you reach this milestone.

Yesterday we had the blessing of candles that are used for liturgical services during the coming year. Today is the Feast of St. Blaise. We will have our throats blessed after Mass today. We ask St. Blaise to protect us from diseases of the throat and all other diseases. Pictured is Sister Mary Blasé receiving the blessing from Sr. Elise.

Thursday evening (6 p.m.) we have Taize Prayer in the Gathering space in Chapel. Everyone is invited to this reflective time of prayer and song.

Peace and blessings,

Sister Mary Lou

December 21, 2010

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF WINTER!!! This is the calendar day, but to my thinking winter has already been here a month! The snow piles are growing wherever one looks.

At Mass this morning we sang the song, “Soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King… Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.” We are well into the fourth week of Advent and all the candles on the Advent Wreath are now lit. Soon and very soon we will celebrate the birth of Our Lord. Jesus came in history two thousand years ago. Jesus comes again to us in the Eucharist as His Body and Blood. Jesus comes to us in one another, our brothers and sisters. My prayer, for you, my readers, is that Jesus will come to you in the graces and blessings you desire and need in your personal life.

Last Thursday we had our Employee/Sister noon pot-luck luncheon. After the meal we had the drawings for the baskets and other items. All the proceeds from this Caring by Sharing project were donated to the Boys and Girls Club and to Hands of Hope. Each group received approximately $530. Thank you for your generosity, Employees and Sisters. During the meal a group of employees sang some Christmas songs for our entertainment. What talent!

Last Friday evening the group From Age to Age presented a marvelous program in our Chapel. They are a professional vocal ensemble who makes beautiful music together. They sang the Our Father (Otche Nash) and Hail Mary (Bogoroditse Devo, Raduisya) in Russian. (We had the translations.) Except for the music, the Chapel was wrapped in meditative-prayerful silence. Violin, harpsichord, cello and viola added to the beauty of the evening’s music.

In earlier writings I’ve talked about reading to Mrs. Hanson’s First Graders. I brought a box of Christmas mice from my mouse collection to the classroom and they used them to decorate the Christmas tree in their room. I was please to share my treasures with the students.

Our services in the Motherhouse Chapel on Christmas Eve begin at 7 p.m. with songs and Scripture readings. The Mass begins at 7:30 p.m. There will be refreshments in St. Francis Hall after Mass. You are most welcome to come. Mass on Christmas Day is at 8:30 a.m. The next day, Sunday, December 26th is the Feast of the Holy Family. Again, Mass is at 8:30 a.m.

Merry Christmas to you and those you love. Let us pray for peace in our hearts, our world and our universe.

Pax et Bonum.

Sister Mary Lou