What a celebration it was! Sister Justina turns 100 years old!

Yesterday was the big celebration of Sr. Justina’s 100 Birthday. And what a celebration it was! At Mass, the St. Francis Community Chorale sang along with our Sisters’ choir and the congregation. Fr. Ken Brenny, her first cousin, was the presider and homilist. The Chapel was full. We had LOTS of guests for dinner. And in no time at all it was time for the Open House. Again, LOTS of guests! Sr. Justina was in good form and was enjoying all the goings-on.

There were letter greetings from Governor Mark Dayton, President and Michelle Obama, Bishop John F. Kinney and the New York Foundling Home.

Also, yesterday afternoon at 4:10 p.m., Sister Cabrini Loerzel, age 87, went to heaven. Sisters had been sitting with her the past several days. Her Funeral will be on Friday.

Retreat for about 50 Sisters starts tonight at 7 p.m. Fr. Giles Schinelli, TOR, is the director. “Contemplating the contours and challenges of ongoing conversion: St. Francis and the Salutation of the Virtues,” is the theme. That’s quite a title! “A Salutation of the Virtues” is one of the writings/prayers of St. Francis.

The Stephen Ministers from Anoka were here the 13--15th. Our Sr. Rita Barthel was working with the group when they first started coming here in 1986. Joan Bednarzyk has been coordination this retreat the past 21 years. After this year someone else will be doing that job.

Bloodmobile Report: Our goal was 240 units. We received 229 units. And 20 others came but could not donate. So I would say we had a very successful event. There will be another Blood Drive n April.

Last week we honored the Finance Department. The clever bulletin board display showed enlargements of paper money bills with the pictures of the staff on each bill. I am so grateful for that staff in taking care of paying bills and all that Social Security “stuff.”

May God bless us. May God look favorably upon us. May God give us peace.

Sister Mary Lou