We put the "Fun" in Fundraising Last Weekend

Thirty-five degrees, sunny and windy. This is much better than the snow/rain mix they’ve been talking about on the radio. No ice break-up yet north of the dam here in Little Falls, that I’ve seen. Lawns and roofs are bare of snow except where it was piled up…and the piles are mostly dirty and black. I saw my first robin perched in a tree on the ease side of the Motherhouse last Wednesday…and Saturday, I saw 10 hawks sitting in trees along highway 10.

Last Wednesday Carol was presented with $1,155.36 for the Morrison County Food Shelf. Thank you Employees and Sisters for your wonderful generosity! By purchasing food from Second Harvest Food Bank, this will purchase over seven thousand dollars worth of food for our local food shelf. (Pictured left to right, Franciscan Employees: Julene Ley from Archives, Carol Schirmers from Reception, and Kelly Olson from Clare Residence.)

We had two fund raisers here this past weekend. Saturday’s “Seeds of Kindness” luncheon was to raise money for Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County. This was the sixth annual luncheon. Over 200 people ate a delicious meal provided by our kitchen staff. Each of the 33 tables was elegantly dressed.

The hostesses for each table provided all the dishes, tableware, centerpieces etc. for their own table. It was a very successful event. They surpassed last year’s total of dollars raised. Besides the meal there was also a live auction and raffle drawings. It was a fun event. (See more table photos below.)

Then on Sunday afternoon there was the Spring Concert fund-raiser for Oasis Share-a-Meal.

St. Francis Chorale, Staples Women’s Choir and the Staples Men’s Choir provided beautiful music for a large audience and appreciative audience. Following the concert, there was a silent auction and goodies served in St. Francis Hall. Carol said, “It was a very successful day.” It was too bad that both the Heartland Symphony Orchestra Concert and this day’s concert were scheduled the same day. It won’t happen that way again.

Another event this weekend was the Marriage Encounter at St. Francis Center. There were 9 couples plus staff...full house.

Quite a few of our Sisters attended a talk by Diana Hayes at the Newman Center in St. Cloud, MN. I found the talk, “Made in the Image of: God: Racism’s challenge to True Communion” most informative. Diana Hayes is a Professor of Systematic Theology at Georgetown University and the first African American woman to earn a Pontifical Doctorate in Theology. I purchased her newest book, Standing in the Shoes My Mother Made. Now I can learn more from this gifted teacher.

This coming weekend many Sisters will be here for Community Elections. We will be electing a new Community Minister and three Assistant Ministers for five-year terms. Please pray for us and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our deliberations. Thanks.

The bloodmobile will be here April 13 through 15th—(1 to 7 p.m. the first two days and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. the last day.) Mark your calendars.

I probably will not have a blog next week. Monday and Tuesday I plan on traveling to Dubuque IA to see the traveling exhibit: Women and Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America. This exhibit relates the story of women religious in America since 1727 when twelve Ursuline Sisters came to New Orleans. It shows the impact of Catholic Sisters on health care, social services and education. We have a photo of children when the Orphanage was located here on our campus. Numerous artifacts will be on display from many religious communities. The items include journals, traveling trunks, diaries, pioneering healthecare developments, samplers, clothing and a letter from President Thomas Jefferson to Sister Therese de St. Xavier Farjon, OSU dated May 15, 1804. I am looking forward to the journey and am sure I will have more to say upon my return. This tour is through Gary Block Tours here in Little Falls (320-632-8632 for more information).

May the Lord bless you.

I hope your Lent is going well.

Peace,

Sister Mary Lou