So Many Things to Write About During Holy Week

Last Saturday we had one to two inches of snow covering the lawns…and from the sounds of it, we will see that much or more snow in the next couple days. I’m so ready for spring to come and stay! I heard on the radio today that a late Easter often means a late spring. It seems the case this year. It is so good to see robins hopping around on our lawn.

April 9th, we had elections for new leadership Sisters for our Franciscan Community. The newly elected Community Board members are (Pictured L to R): Sisters Beatrice Eichten, Rose Margaret Schneider, Carolita Mauer and Susan Knutson. We are grateful for these four women who will step out in faith to serve our Community at this time in our history. Let us keep them in prayer.

On April 7th we celebrated Sisters Joan Tuberty and Doretta Meier. These two Sisters had been members of different religious communities and 25 years ago transferred to our Little Falls Franciscan Community. We are so blessed to have them as part of US. Thank you, Sisters, for your dedication and enthusiasm—always with a smile and willingness to put forth your best efforts.

Last week we had a Red Cross Blood Drive. Our goal was 230 and we received 242 units of blood. Thank you to all the generous donors who support this worthy cause. You truly are life-savers.

With Palm Sunday, there are always many people who want to do something with their blessed palms. Sister Georgine and I went to Freeport Sunday to help the Christian Mothers and their daughters learn some ways of palm braiding . And Wednesday evening Sisters Fabian, Georgine and I will go to Sobieski to help the CCD students learn some palm braiding techniques. I make palm fish that go over real well. I keep one in my car.

Now a bit about our Holy Week schedule at the Motherhouse. We will have Morning Prayer at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Holy Thursday, at 4:30 we Sisters have an Agape prayer service with our evening meal at 4:30 p.m. This Agape meal consists of prayers and songs in remembrance of the Last Supper. Our Eucharist will be at 7 p.m. followed by Adoration until 10 p.m.

There are a number of activities on Good Friday. At 9:30 we have a silent Peace Walk through Little Falls. I always find this a very prayerful event. (If it is raining or snowing we will have the event inside with signs indicating the places and people we pray for at the various stops.) Then we will have Stations of the Cross both inside and outside at 11 a.m. Good Friday services are at 2 p.m.

Easter Vigil services on Holy Saturday are at 8 p.m. followed by refreshments in St. Francis Hall. Come join us if you would like. Mass on Easter Sunday is at the usual 8:30 a.m. time.

April 29th, the St. Francis Community Chorale will have a concert in Sacred Heart Chapel at 7 p.m. It is always a treat to hear this group. They are so good. I invite you to come and enjoy.

The next evening, April 30th, is the Spaghetti Supper from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Come for some very good food. We also serve meatless spaghetti sauce, if you’d wish it.

Then on Sunday, May 1st, at 3 p.m. the two Strings Orchestras will have a concert in Sacred Heart Chapel at the Motherhouse. This also is a wonderful event. Come and enjoy.

Now I want to talk a bit about the trip to Dubuque, IA. April 11-12. Fourteen of us Sisters, and ten SFOs, Associates and friends went to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium for the travelling exhibit of Religious Sisters and their works and services in the Upper Mid-west. I saw artifacts, pictures and stories of work the Sisters have done and continue to do in the fields of education, health care and many other social service areas. The exhibit was wonderful. It made me proud to be a Sister.

On the way to Dubuque, we stopped in Dyersville, IA, for a tour of the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier. WOW!!! The cornerstone was laid on June 3, 1888. It can accommodate from 1,000 to 1,500 people. The two spires are each 212 feet high. The height of the church is 76 feet, the length is 175 feet and it is 70 feet wide. It is a beautiful building. At the time it was built they did not have the advanced mechanical devices available now for hoisting materials to such heights. I marvel at how they did the build. The altars are high and beautiful…lots of gold. To see this BIG and beautiful Church in such a rural area is something, too.

I wish you a good rest of Holy Week. May your faith be strengthened in your prayer and meditations on the events commemorated this holiest week of the year.

Happy Easter.

Peace and many blessings,

Sister Mary Lou