April 20, 2009

Greetings on this third week of April. Spring is really here! When travelling to Brainerd and St. Cloud I’ve seen many green lawns and fields and even some blooming shrubs. WOW!!! Isn’t it great? I think so. And now the promise of some much needed rain. And I’ve seen the first blooming dandelions.

Last week the Red Cross Bloodmobile was at St. Francis. We had a good blood drive. Our total goal for the three days was 260 units and we received 248 units of blood. That’s a lot. There were about 15 persons who came, but could not donate. God bless all of you for sharing this gift of life. Money may be in shorter supply, but the gift of blood is a tremendous gift.

This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week. What a good idea to be prepared by knowing what to do when severe weather comes our way. I’d expect that some severe weather will come our way in the coming months. Thursday there will be a state-wide tornado drill. That will mean lots of us from the Motherhouse will go to the convent tunnel for this safety drill.

I spent significant time Friday, Saturday and Sunday involved with meetings with Secular Franciscans. God bless all these good people for being faithful to living their Profession.

Yesterday, too, was the Christian Community Concert in Sacred Heart Chapel at the Motherhouse. I’m told the music was great. The concert and a silent auction were part of a fund-raiser for Oasis Share-A-Meal. This group does lots of “good stuff” for the needy in our area. Thank you for your services.

The Motherhouse kitchen renovation is really taking shape. Last week two semis came bringing stainless steel counters, shelves and sinks. These are mostly in place now. Then this week we’ll get the stoves, ovens and steamers. It’s really starting to look like a kitchen again. There was an article in yesterday’s St. Cloud Times about the new kitchen. The headline is: Sisters have new green Kitchen: Franciscan Sisters are remodeling their 1943 kitchen to include energy-efficient materials.” “Reduce, reuse and recycle” were considerations whenever possible in this big project. In less than a month we expect that the project will be completed. Thank you to all who have been working on all aspects of this job. God bless you.

May the Lord continue to bless and care for you and keep you safe in all your comings and goings.

Pax et Bonum.
Sister Mary Lou