July 6, 2016

Last weekend was one of picture-perfect weather.  Sister Julien and I attended the 28^th annual West Union Parade.  It was started when the 4-H group needed a project.  It’s been a good event for these many years.  I am always amazed at the great number of people who line the streets for the parade and then join together at the park for the pot-luck meal.

We have two 90^th birthdays this week.  Sister Therese Furnstahl celebrated on Sunday and Sister Therese Lenz celebrates today.  Just think of all the lives touched and all the good done by these two Sisters over these 180 years!  Wow!

The big activity this week will be on Saturday for the Open House from 1:00 to 4 p.m. to celebrate our 125^th Anniversary.  I hope lots of people join us for the afternoon.  Sounds like the weather will cooperate.

Friday evening to 3 a.m. Saturday morning is the Relay for Life event tor Morrison County.  I won’t be walking the route, but will probably go out for a while to cheer on the walkers.  The local group raises a lot of money for cancer research and care of those with cancer.  God bless those who sponsor and work at the event.

On Sunday, the 10^th, Sister Fabian Schneider will celebrate her 101^st birthday.  Again, WOW!

As I am typing, I am listening to the radio to the Party Line program.  Sister Bea, our Community Leader, is the guest today.  It is very interesting.  They’ve covered all kinds of topics: the Health and Rec Center, Red Cross Blood Mobile, Vocations, Saint Gabriel’s Hospital, St. Otto’s Home, the Open House on Saturday, the Poor Clare Sisters, the Nursing Schools in Little Falls and Breckenridge, St. Francis High School, etc.

Something new in our cemetery: We thank the Little Falls Granite works for generously contributing the engraving on each of the 12 founding sisters’ headstones who are buried in our cemetery.  You’ll see white crosses and the words Founding Sister” on the ‘bottom of each stone.

Enjoy these beautiful July days.

Peace and blessings on you and those you love.

Sister Mary Lou

The older one gets the faster time goes.

May 31, 2016

How can it be the last day of May and June starting tomorrow?  “They say” the older one gets the faster time goes.  So true!  (Or is it that I just move a little slower?)  Three full days of meetings and Profession of Life Vows for Sister Aurora and Sister Isa last Friday made last week a very full week.

Balloons were part pf the decorations for Vow Day on Friday.  So, the night before, many of us were busy blowing up 100 + balloons.

Thursday we had a ritual to say “Good Bye” to Hurrle Hall.  That was the first permanent building constructed on our campus here.  It has had many uses over these past 125 years: Motherhouse, Hospital, Nursing School, Novitiate, Food Shelf, site for the Wholisitc Growth Program and Saint Clare College.

Last Thursday we had about two inches of rain and last evening we were gifted with another half inch or so.  The lawns are so lush and green.  It always amazes me how the trees can get so full of leave in such a few days.  They make good shade already.

Yesterday’s beautiful weather was about perfect for any outdoor activities.  On Sunday, our Saint Francis Chorale sang for the 2 p.m. Program at the Veteran’s Cemetery at Camp Ripley.  As usual, there was a big crowd present.  God bless all veterans, both living and deceased.

Tomorrow, June 1st, is the Feast of St. Justin.  When I entered the Novitiate, the Bishop gave me the name of Sister Mary Justin.  I used that name for 13 years.  Then after Vatican II we could go back to our baptismal names.  So I changed back to Mary Lou.

The “Puzzlers” finished this large puzzle:  38.5 inches by 26.5 inches.

Peace and many blessings,

Sister Mary Lou