January 6, 2009

Happy New Year.

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday morning it was minus 21 degrees. This morning it was 12 degrees. We had 4 to 5 inches of new snow last Saturday. The snow is really starting to pile up on the lawns and roadsides. I like how it is lighter longer. Yesterday it was still light at 5 p.m.…and not so long ago it was dark by 4:30 p.m.

Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany. The first Sunday of the Month is a Prayer Day at the Motherhouse. This is a special time of prayer for the Sisters before the Blessed Sacrament. Later in the afternoon we Sisters had our Christmas celebration. It started with a special evening prayer, then a delicious meal, singing of Christmas carols and a gift for everyone. What a fine celebration.

Sunday, Sister Jovita Wald went to heaven. She died very peacefully at 10:20 a.m. at Clare Residence. Her funeral is Thursday. This is the third death of a Sister in as many weeks. Both in 2007 and 2008 we had eight Sisters die. And now already we’ve had our first death in 2009.

While in chapel Sunday, I noticed the BIG icicles near the south chapel windows. The warm sunshine was melting the ice and there was a constant curtain of dripping water. It was very pretty.

The Bloodmobile is coming to St. Francis Convent next week: Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 14th & 15th from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Jan 16th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanks to all who share their blood to help others who need it.

God bless you. Let us pray for those who are most in need of prayer, for the unemployed, the sick and those suffering from and living with cancer. Drive carefully
on icy roads.

Pax et Bonum.
Sister Mary Lou