So many things...

Ever so many things to write about. I’m not going to even try to keep them in chronological order. The last blog had the title “The Rains are Wonderful.” Well, yes, they were for us around here with all our sandy soil. We had about 4 inches in about as many days, and it caused us no problems. But let us pray for and help those in the Duluth area and their neighbors to the south who have had so much flood damage. The Mississippi River here is really high and will get higher in the next few days. Fort Ripley is about 15 miles north of Little Falls and the river there is a couple feet over flood stage now. In a day or two that water will get to Little Falls.


We had a blood drive June 19th, 20th and 21st. Our goal for the three days was 225 units. We were blessed by many donors and went over the goal by 5 units. May God bless all those generous donors. They are human life-savers!

On the 23rd we celebrated three Sisters who have been members of our Franciscan Community for 75 years! That’s a long time! Sisters Joel, Sylvia and Antonette had a wonderful day. We are proud of them for their many years of being Franciscan Sisters and for all the people they’ve served in those many years. The presiders at the Mass were Sister Sylvia’s two nephews Fathers Jerry and Leroy Schik. Sr. Marcella would have celebrated her 80th anniversary, but she died in April. So we remembered her, too.

Saturday there was a Peace Rally at Maple Island Park. My brother from Cohasset brought his Peace Float. There were three very interesting speakers. The Raging Grannies sang and also the Sestri Singers from our St. Francis Music Center performed.

This week for three days, we have the Girls Campers here. The 29 girls and Sister assistants seem to be having a good time. This afternoon they painted their t-shirts. They are very colorful. Tonight they are tenting in Assisi Park. Sr. Sharon is doing all the cooking for them over a camp fire.

One afternoon four young people from the Youth in Theology and Ministry Program at St. John’s University in Collegeville came to tell us about the programs they started and did during the past year in their home parishes. A year ago these young people took a couple weeks of theology classes and talked about something they could do in their home parishes. Then they did their projects and told us about what they accomplished. I was so proud of how poised they were in their presentations and the good work they did for their local Churches. They showed great leadership skills. We, Franciscan Sisters, help support this program.

The Feast of the Sacred Heart was Friday, June 15th. That is the name of our Chapel. At the Mass that day we sang some of our favorite Sacred Heart songs from long ago. Sr. Joel fixed a lovely shrine in the sanctuary. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Sunday, I was in Coon Rapids for a SFO Visitation. On the way home I stopped in St. Cloud to see the Clemen’s and Munsinger Gardens. What wonderful pieces of beauty each garden is. I try to make it there at least once each summer. Just to walk around in all that beauty is a peaceful experience.

Peace and all Good to you.
Sister Mary Lou