Celebrating the Joy of the Risen Christ

Easter Monday April 1, 2013

May the joy of the Risen Christ fill all our hearts this Easter. All our Holy Week Services were very prayer-filled and well done. Thank you, Father Michael, Sister Jean, Sister Joel, the Choir and all who helped in any way to make things happen so smoothly and prayerfully.

I’ll just show a few pictures I took of events of Holy Week. Thursday evening we had our Agape Meal. Sr. Joel set up a beautiful centerpiece.  The chalice is from Israel. And we have the Hot Cross Buns for Holy Saturday breakfast. Next is the open tabernacle after Holy Thursday evening Adoration that ended at 10 p.m. There were about 30 people who joined us for both the Silent walk for Peace through town and for the outdoor Stations of the Cross. Father Michael sets up this little arrangement for the Blessing of the Fire on Holy Saturday night. (It burns bright and big for the Blessing of the Fire and the lighting of the Easter Candle and then all of a sudden it collapses in on itself and goes out.) 

On Tuesday we had the Funeral for Sr. Rachel Zenzen. She was quite a lady…full of fun, great hospitality, a good cook and did beautiful embroidery work. Even just days before her death, she was trimming postage stamps.

Early Easter morning, Sister Doris Goldammer, age 96, went to spend Easter in Heaven with the Risen Lord. On Palm Sunday she had gotten sick and was taken to the hospital overnight and then returned to the Convent to die. Sisters sat with her most of the time last week. The Funeral for Sr. Doris is Wednesday, April 3rd at 11 a.m.

Tuesday through Thursday the Nursing Leadership group will be having their meetings here in St. Francis Hall. We are expecting 20 to 25 people.

On Saturday, April 6th, we will be having an all-day meeting for many Sisters

Sunday, April 7th, is prayer Sunday…a quiet, prayerful day on campus.

Next week, April 9th, 10th and 11th, The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be here for a blood drive. May we have another good turn-out. The home-made cookies served after a blood donation are always a good hit!

The snow banks area shrinking fast. It is amazing how they’ve gone down the past few days. Today was sunny, but the wind had a bite to it. Some trees are showing lots of leaf buds. Spring looks hopeful now.

May Easter Joy continue to fill your hearts and voices.

Peace and blessings,
Sister Mary Lou