May 29, 2009

God is blessing us with a gentle, beautiful rain. Praise the Lord.

Last Monday we drove to Melrose for a picnic meal at Sister Adela’s home. The wind was chilly, but eating our meal in the garage was quite pleasant. I enjoyed seeing the rows of little corn plants coming up in the fields along the way.

Last Sunday, Sister Georgine and I attended the Memorial Day ceremony at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley. Because it had rained hard in the morning, they moved the program from the cemetery to the recreation building on the Camp site. This is a huge space. They had chairs set up for everyone. The crowd was large. They even had golf carts to bring people back and forth from their cars to the building. I appreciated that. The program started with a beautiful half-hour band concert by the Richfield Symphonic Band, directed by Adam Sroka. They are good!!! There were many United States Flags and many other flags, too. There were about 30 to 40 Patriot Guard members also present. A group of musicians and singers named Water into Wine lead the singing. Father Leo Moenkedick, US Air Force chaplain, prayed the Invocation. The Memorial Address was given by Bill Ryan, US Army (1966-1967) from Paynesville, MN. What a witness to faith and courage. He spoke of the gifts of faith and friendship. There was hardly a dry eye in the audience by the time he finished. The Rifle Salute and Taps always give me goose bumps.

I just finished laminating a little sign that says, "Please don’t let the cat out." Jan, one of our Rehab therapists, frequently brings their family cat in to visit with Sister Sheila during the day. Sister perks right up when the cat comes…and they’d like the cat to stay in her room.

This afternoon we are having a thank you gathering for Sister Deborah Honer for her years of service to our senior Sisters. She is battling cancer at this time. Please keep her in your prayers.

This week we welcomed our new co-director for our Associate Office, Geri Deitz. Geri will be working with Judy Virnig in the Associate Office. Welcome. I knew Geri before she was married to Rick Dietz, who was religious education coordinator in Morris when I ministered there—a few years back!

Enjoy a State Park for free on Sunday June 1st. I plan on going out to the Lindbergh State Park and the Lindbergh Museum here in Little Falls. The Fishing Museum is also open and free on the 1st. The Fishing Museum is an interesting place to visit. I was there a few months ago when they had Business After Hours there.

Pax et Bonum. (Peace and all good.)
Sister Mary Lou