June 21, 2010: Welcome to Summer!

Welcome Summer! We had 3/10 inch of rain early this morning.

Let us pray for and help however we can those many people who lost homes and property in the tornados last Thursday. I can’t imagine the damage. I saw pictures from the Wadena area. Enough to make one sick. God bless those generous volunteers who help with cleanup. Peace, hope and courage for those who are dealing with the mess.

Our week of meetings concluded with a festive dinner Friday evening. John is pictured below standing beside the pellet smoker machine in which he barbequed 80 pounds of delicious pork baby-back ribs for our evening meal. The meetings were good. Now the work continues to prepare for the meetings that will happen in February, March and April, 2011. At the end of the meetings we were all missioned with our next tasks to do.

One night the evening entertainment was a delightful musical presentation of “The Kings Breakfast” by A.A. Milne. Sr. Elise Saggau was the singer and actor accompanied by Sr. Maurita Bernet. I saw the original presentation some 50+ years ago at the Summit Avenue House of Studies in St. Paul, MN. It was as good now as it was then. A slide show of events of long-ago stirred up many memories and lots of laughs as we saw ourselves at play and at work “back then.”

First we had a porcupine on campus. Now a bear was sighted coming across the highway and heading into the woods south of the Motherhouse buildings. We were reminded to be aware of our surroundings especially when walking in the evening or early morning hours.

The Community Gardens on campus are looking really good. I often see gardeners out planting and weeding in their plots. I’ve not heard yet of deer being a bother and feeding on the garden produce.

Tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday, June 22-24, the Bloodmobile will be in Little Falls in St. Francis Hall at the Motherhouse. Hours the first two days are from 1 to 7 p.m. and on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call Sr. Julien at 320-632-0663 to make and appointment or to find out when there are openings. Walk-ins may come, but are taken after those who have appointments.

The city of Little Falls celebrated the Dam Festival the past weekend. Saturday there was a 73-unit parade with two marching bands. Mary of Lourdes of Schools won the Most Creative Float Award. The parade ended in our parking lot at the south end of town. I missed the parade, but went to Maple Island Park to see what I could see when I got back from my Brainerd SFO meetings. At night I went to see the fireworks. They were spectacular…half and hour of a beautiful light show. I park the car at the Initiative Foundation facing the river and have a perfect view without leaving the car…and no mosquitos!

God bless and continue to care for you this coming week. Be safe.
Sister Mary Lou