Give thanks for the many blessing we receive every day

Thanksgiving Day is this week—but every day is a day to give thanks for the many blessings we receive every day. Thank you for reading my blog. Thank you for feed-back, too. May you be blessed…your family and friends, also.

Yesterday afternoon I attended White Christmas at the Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud. One of the words of wisdom was: "When you can’t sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep." So when I woke up during the night and couldn't go back to sleep I started counting my blessings…there are SO MANY.

Last week we celebrated a first-time event, that I am aware of. Sister Nancy was married for 30 years and she has been a Franciscan Sister for 30 years, also…a total of 60 years of commitment! We had a reception with treats. Congratulations, Sister Nancy.

In the Church Year, yesterday we celebrated the last Sunday of the Church year and the Feast of Christ the King. This is one of my favorite feasts. Sr. Joel had the altar decorated beautifully. Thanks.

Yesterday, too, we commissioned two new Franciscan Community Volunteers. We welcome Kristen Wall and Alison Swoboda. The picture with the four people include, Sister Bea, Community Minister, Kristen, Alison and Pat Schlauderaff, director of the Franciscan Volunteers. Another picture shows all the Volunteers receiving the Blessing of the Franciscan Sisters and Associates…and then the congregation singing the blessing. Thank you for the good work you do, Volunteers.

Sunday is December 1st already! It is the First Sunday of Advent. It is also the first of the Christmas concerts. The St. Francis Chorale Christmas Concert is at 7 p.m. in our Chapel. This is the place to be if you want to get into the Christmas Spirit.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Peace and blessings, 

Sister Mary Lou

Bless those gathered in this place, with thankful hearts and gifts of grace.

Jim Gilbert in his book Minnesota Nature Notes (p.266) says that “November 19 is the average day for permanent snow cover in the Twin Cities.” Right now, today, it doesn't seem that will happen this year and that is just fine with me.

Last Wednesday our Dining Adventure honored the state of Nebraska. The food was great and the decorations were, as always, also great.

It was a quiet weekend here and that was fine with everyone. The choirs and orchestras are all practicing and soon we’ll be having concerts. And next week we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. I’m glad for a Thanksgiving Day, but there are so many things each day to be thankful for. Take a few minutes right now to think of at least 10 things you are thankful for today.

Our noon EnLUNCHment program on Wednesday will be a memorial service honoring the 14 Sisters who died since last November. Eternal Rest give to them, O Lord. And let Perpetual Light shine upon them.

Centering Prayer will happen Thursday evening from 6 to 7 p.m.

Friday is the Feast of St. Cecilia, patroness of musicians. I’d like to thank all those who make music to cheer us and help make out Church liturgies more prayerful, worshipful events.

Have a safe and healthy week. Pray for those who are sick and are recovering from surgery. Please keep praying for Jim Weiler, the farmer from Morris, MN who was run over by a combine. He is continuing to heal, but still needs lots of prayers. Thank you.

Peace and blessings,

Sr. Mary Lou