June 23, 2008

Oh, so many things fill up a week!

Yesterday we had a great celebration with five of our sisters who were honored for 75 years of service as Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls. Think of it, a total of 350 years of service . Great ladies each one. Four of the five made it both ways down the long center aisle of the Chapel by their own power. It was a slow walk, but they did it! The Mass was followed by a delicious meal and then lots of visiting.

This past weekend was the Little Falls Dam Festival. Two highlights for Saturday were the parade and the fireworks. The parade lined up in our convent parking lot, so it was with great ease we could watch the parade! Our own 96-year-young Sister Justina was the Grand Marshall for the parade. She looked great waving and riding in that little red convertible at the head of the parade. She was surprised to see so many people lining the entire length of the parade route. Because I had to leave early to attend our SFO gathering in Brainerd, I could stay only for the first few minutes of the parade. So I walked through the parking lot checking out the parade entries before it started. The dental office parade float was giving away dental floss and tooth paste—a healthy treat! The weather was perfect for all the weekend festivities. Friday night, the music was furnished by a group called The Roosters. I could hear the music very well in my bedroom—five blocks away! I really enjoyed the fireworks on Saturday night. The kid in me likes the sight and sounds of the "pretty, pretty boom booms."

Yesterday afternoon I attended the Concert in the Park at Maple Island Park. The music was provided by "The Alaska Polka Chips." The old-time music brought out a VERY LARGE crowd of mostly older folks. Again, the weather was perfect. Concerts in the Park are scheduled every Sunday at 3 p.m. all summer.

Last Tuesday evening, Eileen and I attended a presentation of "Godly Women Out of History" at American Lutheran Church in Long Prairie. The ladies, from Trinity Lutheran Church in Cyrus, MN, told about the 13 women who had a Godly influence in American History. We heard from Betsy Ross (1752-1836), Lucy Hayes (1831-1889), Corrie Ten Boom (1892-1983), Maria Von Trapp (1905-1987), and Harriet Tubman (1820-1913).

Last Friday and Saturday the Franciscan Sisters hosted "Faith and Fun with Franciscans." It was a camp-out with 20 girls who completed 6th, 7th and 8th grades from central Minnesota. They camped out and tented in Assisi Park on the south end of our campus. They had a good time and want to come again and for a longer time.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week the Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at the Convent. The first two days, it is from 2 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pax et Bonum,
Sister Mary Lou