Pray it with me

Have a wonderful day on the last day of summer—until 9:29 tonight. There are beautiful red and yellow trees and bright patches of sumac along the road sides. I saw them Saturday when I drove to Brainerd for our monthly Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) meeting.

Then we saw beautiful scenery again on Sunday when we traveled to Morris for the 100th Anniversary of St. Mary’s School. Many of our Sisters taught there since 1942 when the Franciscans started teaching there. Mercy Sisters were the first teachers, then Benedictine Sisters and Josephite Sisters and then the Franciscans until 2003. The end of June the school roof collapsed because of MUCH water (because of a plugged drain pipe on the roof) and did severe damage to every classroom. Service Master did a fantastic job by working 24/7 in repairing the building and having it ready to start school on September 8th. New floors with new carpeting, new ceilings, new lighting, new cupboards, new paint, the latest technology, all make for a beautiful school. Five of us former teachers went for yesterday’s celebration. I worked at St. Mary’s School 13 years both as teacher and principal.

This picture was painted by Sister Mary Zirbes. It is titles Spring Flood 2014 of the Sauk River.

You’ve probably heard of Nuns on the Bus. This group of Sisters is at St. Bens tonight and going to Duluth tomorrow. Their message is, “We the People, We the Voters!” Mid-term elections are just around the corner. The message is: 1) VOTE Strong voter turnout overpowers the influence of big money in politics. Dollars can’t vote, you can. 2) ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO VOTE When we encourage people to vote, we make sure that the voices of the 100% are heard. Urge and help others to vote. 3) HOLD CANDIDATES ESPONSIBLE When we demand that candidates commit to policies that benefit the 100%,we can hold them accountable when they are elected. When the people vote, politicians listen. For more information see: www.nunsonthebus.org

Several Sisters and others were very busy picking grapes. The harvest was abundant. Soon we will be having fresh grape jelly. Thank you, Pickers and cleaners for your hard work.

This coming Sunday, September 28th, we celebrate Donor Day. We honor some of the many who support our ministries with an 11 a.m. Mass for their intentions followed by a delicious meal. We thank all who support us by their prayers, thoughts and financially. God bless you “in big bunches” as Sister Moe says.

A prayer I found: “God, please help all the unemployed, the hungry, the homeless, all who suffer from fears or hopelessness, those in war-torn countries, especially the children, all who suffer some kind of disease or illness and those grieving the loss of loved ones.” It covers a lot of needs. Please pray it with me.

God bless you. Peace.
Sister Mary Lou

Change in the seasons

Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis: St. Francis had a burning love for the Crucified Lord Jesus and never ceased to preach this devotion. In 1224, two years before his death, when he was lost in deep contemplation on Mount La Verna, the marks of Christ’s Passion were imprinted on his hands, feet and side.

We are past the middle of the month. We’ve had some frost to let us know that there will be a change in the seasons. Is this Indian Summer now? We’ve had a few very wonderful days! Gardens are being cleaned up and wonderful produce is being brought in to storage. Yesterday our friend, Larry Anderson, brought us a pick-up full of cabbage and peppers…102 pounds of peppers and 427 pounds of cabbage. May God bless you, Larry, for your generous gift. We will continue to pray for you and your family.

Monday was the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. We have a beautiful statue of the Sorrowful Mother in our Chapel. Here is a picture of it.

On Tuesday, we had a bi-lingual Liturgy. Father Tony Kroll was the celebrant and Father Deo, from Tanzania, Africa, presided with him. I must admit we are getting better each time in singing the Spanish hymns. (Fr. Deo left this morning to return to Africa after spending a month here.)

Today our Dining Adventure will feature foods from Romania. In size, Romania is just a little bigger than the state of Minnesota.

Last Saturday (13th), was the Fall Day of Reflection hosted by the Associates and Franciscan Life Office. There were 61 attendees—a few more Associates than Sisters. The title was “Fullness of Life in God: The Trinity.” Sister Rose Mae Rausch and Sister Mary Zirbes were the presenters. It was a peace-filled and prayerful day.

On Sunday, the 21st, several of us will travel west to Morris, MN, for the Centennial Celebration of St. Mary’s School. The school was badly wrecked on June27th when several feet of water on the roof broke through the roof and did immense damage to every classroom. The building has been repaired and classes started on September 8th. I am eager to see the re-furbished building. I was teacher and principal there 13 years.

The next blood drive is 1 to 7 p.m. October 28 and 29 and 8 a.m. to2 p.m. o October 30th. Save the date.

Peace and God bless you.

Sister Mary Lou