God bless all laborers, past, present and to come!

O God, Who through human labor never cease to perfect and govern the vast work of creation, listen to the supplications of our people and grant that all men and women may find work that benefits their dignity, joins them more closely to one another and enables them to be of service to their neighbor. (Prayer for today from the Labor Day Liturgy)

Our kitchen has been a busy place with many kinds of labors. One day Sr. Joel was busy making gallons of grape jelly. Pictured we see her cooking the juice to just the right consistency and then the finished product. Sister Ruth and her volunteers cut cabbage and made about 55 gallons of sauerkraut. The one 20-gallon crock and the five smaller crocks will do their fermenting and in 4 to 6 weeks will be ready for freezing and for us to enjoy all winter. I also saw 20 one-gallon bags of cut-up green and red peppers ready for freezing and also many jars of cucumbers and beans in their pickling brine ready for sitting in the sun to finish their processing.

At Evening Prayer last Thursday, we had a special prayer service to pray for Sister Emily’s sister Rita. Sister Emily was not able to attend Rita’s funeral so we had a prayer service here. Several of her family members joined us for prayer and then a special meal afterwards.

We had a “Fair Day” Thursday. Folks brought in their best garden produce for display in the dining room. Sr. Ruth brought in a three-foot Snake Gourd, and a two-foot long Japanese cucumber. We also displayed one of Larry Anderson’s big cabbages, a beautiful water melon and a big cantaloupe. Gardens were very productive. Sisters Elizabeth O., Celine and Helen have been busy picking raspberries. We’ve been enjoying them for several meals.

The 40th Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair is this coming weekend. “We have 660 vendors, from 25 states, coming to town Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8 – 9, which is an increase of about four dozen from last year.” (Deb Boeltz , Chamber CEO) We have many guests staying here at St. Francis Center.

Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. is the “How Do Believers Beg to Differ?” program at First United Church.

Sunday, September 10, at the 10 a.m. Mass, here in our chapel, we will have the Profession of four Secular Franciscans from St. Francis Fraternity here in Little Falls. Holy Perseverance to the four of you.

Another activity here last week was that the man was checking fixing and replacing some of the bricks on the chapel steeple and checking bricks at Mary Hall.

At the end of May, Sisters Mary Z. and Tonie made a watercolor retreat. During this time each painted one picture each day. Their pictures are on display in our dining room. Because they are going to be in an art show, I can’t show you any of their works until later.

Peace and blessings,

Sister Mary Lou