June is time for Community Gatherings

Many things to write about.

Saturday we had the Funeral for Sister Eileen Theis. Many Family and Sisters present for a great send-off for her. May she be enjoying life to the fullest with Jesus. God bless you, Sister Eileen. We are depending on you to pray for us now, too.

From Friday afternoon to Sunday I was at Secular Franciscan Order meetings in Buffalo, MN. Saturday evening we had a prayer service for all who had died since our meeting a year ago. We had 9 Sisters who went to heaven in the last year. Each Fraternity and each religious community lit one candle for their deceased members.

Much activity around here getting ready for Community Days next week when all the sisters will be here for meetings starting Sunday evening and going on through supper on Wednesday. There are many bulletin boards set up with information for us to read. One almost needs a check-list to make sure some were not forgotten. I have not yet started the ones in the Gathering Space of Chapel.

But, first, on Sunday morning we will celebrate the seven sisters who have been in Community for 60 years. Congratulations Sisters Phyllis Hennek, Colette Toenies, Pat Zangs, Elise Saggau, Maurita Bernet , Helen Hassler and Anita Jennissen.

On May 29th we had a prayer service in celebration of the Sisters’ many works and ministries. Plans were to have it outside by the Our Lady of the Highways Shrine. But because it was so windy and chilly we moved into Chapel. On Sunday, June 3, there was a Celebrate the Sisters Service of Gratitude, Grace and Support for Sisters Service at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud, MN. My guesstimate was that there were over 300 present for the event. The songs, testimonials, and litany of intercessions were all beautiful. To me the most touching part was after we were all standing for the intercessions, the leader asked all those who were not Sisters to sit down and sing a blessing over the many Sisters who were present. Thank you to the Planning Committee Members. We Sisters are grateful for your support.

Last night we watched a video, Not My Life, on Human Trafficking. It was had to watch because of the inhuman ways so many humans are treated. The definition of trafficking is: Slavery is a social and economic relationship in which the person is controlled through violence or threat of violence, is paid nothing and is economically exploited. A few facts: 80% of international victims are women and girls..50% of international victims are children…$32 billion: total yearly profits generated by human trafficking industry.

The next Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for June 19-21.

We have a Girls’ Camp going on June 26-28. That will be a lot of excitement. Please pray for a dry few days. Last year, I believe, they had to some adjusting of the schedule because of the rains.

Please pray for us the days of our meetings—June 10 through 13th. Thank you.

Peace and God bless you.
Sister Mary Lou