Glorious Sunshine!

Warmer weather, growing plants, small leaves on the trees and my blooming trillium, what more could one want? The last three days of last week, I was in Belleville, IL, near St. Louis, for a Secular Franciscan Order meeting. The first thing I noticed was that all the trees and bushes were fully leafed out, and there were many blooming trees! My prayer is that fields dry so farmers can get their crops planted.

May is Senior Citizens Month. Last Thursday we celebrated our Senior Sisters (that’s most of us) with an afternoon-get-together which always includes some goodies.

Last week also, we hosted 29 nurses from all over Minnesota for the Nursing Leadership Symposium for their three-day meeting. It is always good to have them here.

In an earlier blog I mentioned the Taste of St. Cloud event held in early May. In our Community Newsletter last week an article said that 700+ people attended the event. That’s a lot!

Sunday was the feast of St. Isidore, the Farmer, We had the blessing of gardens and fields outside yesterday after Mass. Father Michael blessed water that was sprinkled on the lawns and gardens.

Our prayer was/is: O God, from who all blessings flow, look kindly on us as we begin another season of planting and tilling of the land. We humbly acknowledge our dependence on Your provident care and beg You to give to us the needed sunshine and rain so that what has been planted may come to fruition. Protect us from all that would destroy the potential fruits of this land. We, on our part, promise to cooperate in the building up of what You have created, honoring and respecting the handiwork of Your hands. We ask Your blessing in the name of Jesus who walked on this earth and continues to live among us, now and always. Amen.

Tonight we are honoring the MANY VOLUNTEERS who assist us in so many and various ways. We are grateful for them and their sharing of their time and talents with us Franciscan Sisters in our ministries. The European menu includes: Halushki (cabbage and dumplings), Sausage, Carrots, Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad, and Sister Celine’s Hot Apple Strudel. For entertainment, the Slavic folk choir, “Sestri” will perform. “Sestri” means “sisters.” The singers are all ladies.

Thursday evening at 6 p.m. there is Centering Prayer in Chapel. And then a Dance recital for St. Francis Music Center Students in St. Francis Hall at 7 p.m. There are Music Center Spring Recitals Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There is always plenty of activity on our campus! Sister Christelle calls it “our Dynamic Center.” That says it pretty well.

This week, too, the current Leadership Sisters are meeting with the newly elected Leadership Sisters. This can help for an easier transition in June.

May your days be blessed.

May you be a blessing to others.

Peace,

Sister Mary Lou