Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Monday, February 11, 2013
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes World Day of the Sick (Help/Pray for the sick and their care givers.)

Well, we had a good blizzard on Sunday! The radio says we had about 10 inches of snow yesterday. Today it is windy and a wind chill of about zero. A little while ago I went out to take a few snow pictures. Area schools are closed today. I am happy they do that rather than have children outside waiting for buses when the roads are not well plowed and very icy. Sr. Phyllis is standing in front of the BIG snow pile behind Mary Hall. Snow-laden pine trees on the cemetery path are beautiful. My car is a big snow-bump on the parking lot. The view from the library windows into the courtyard is lovely. 

I’ve never seen a flower like this before. It is a Bromeliad plant. It has been blooming a couple weeks already. It is in the Gathering Place in front of the Our Lady of Guadalupe picture.


Last Wednesday the Mailroom Department was honored at Morning Coffee. Penny postcards were in from 1898 until­­­­­­­­­­­­­ 1952 and letter postage was 3 cents from 1932 until1958 when they went to 4 cents for the first ounce. Now first class letters are 46 cents and postcards are 33 cents. Forever stamps were introduced in 2007.

Tomorrow, the day before Ash Wednesday, has many names. For the Franciscan Sisters it is Doughnut Day. So Morning Coffee Break will feature fresh home-made doughnuts. They are so good when fresh and still warm. Our kitchen crew makes them and frosts them with a variety of frostings.

Thursday is Valentine’s Day. I have mine all ready for the First Graders at Lindbergh School in Mrs. Hanson’s room. I read to this class a couple times a month.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you. (This has always been a special day in our family since it was Mom and Dad’s Wedding Anniversary.)

Peace and blessings,
Sister Mary Lou

From Soup Supper to Doughnut Day

February 4, 2013

A little bit of fluffy white snow every afternoon and evening…just enough to make it slippery and messy…and not enough to really add up very much. It is very pretty and clean to look at.

Yesterday was Prayer Sunday. The Blessed Sacrament was in our beautiful monstrance on the altar from after Mass until after 4:15 evening prayer. Many Sisters spent extended prayer time in Chapel all through the day. It was a quiet, peaceful day.

Saturday evening we had our Soup Supper…4 kinds of delicious soups. (Teeny-tiny snowflakes started falling about 4 p.m. and they kept increasing in size as the hours went by.) That did not deter 330+ guests from coming to the Convent Dining Room to enjoy food and friendship. Terry said we used 450 soup bowls—so folks did go back for seconds, and maybe even thirds.

Tuesday evening Sister Elise will be giving her second presentation on the “Vatican II Anniversary: Year of Faith.” The first talk a month ago was great. I expect this one to be just as good. May all last month’s listeners come again this month.

Wednesday morning this week, the Values Committee will sponsor a “Mail Services Appreciation” morning coffee break. The Mailroom Department receives and sends out USPS mail and packages, receives and send out UPS packages, Speedy Delivery Services, FedEx Services, sells stamps to Sisters and Employees, does laminating projects for various departments here, and when we can, “whatever else is asked of us.” I usually work there on Thursdays and sub there when needed.

Friday, February 9th, is the one year anniversary since Father John Eccleston died. He was our Chaplain here at the Motherhouse for MANY years. He was 83. May he be enjoying Life with the Lord.

Sunday, February 10, is the Empty Bowls soup lunch at the Church across the street, First United Church, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. After the meal you get to keep the hand-made, unique ceramic bowl. This is a fundraiser for Oasis Share-A-Meal. This group serves a free meal every Thursday at First Lutheran Church for all who come—about 90 people a week.

A week from Wednesday, February 13, is Ash Wednesday. The day before Ash Wednesday has many names. It is called: Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, and for the Franciscan Sisters “Doughnut Day” because Sr. Margaret Fruth used to always make the best doughnuts that day. We keep the tradition going.

No pictures this week.

Peace and blessings on you and those you love
Sr. Mary Lou