A busy (and wet) beginning of Summer

Last evening we went to the Wake for Alois Wiechman, Sister Janice’s father, in Melrose.  The Franciscan Sisters were well represented for the prayer service.  May Alois be enjoying his new Life with the Lord in his new home.  Peace and blessings to Sister Janice and the members of her family.

Last Friday evening Sister Mary Wentland went to heaven.  I will always remember her positive attitude as she struggled with her cancer and the many chemo sessions over the past nine years.  The Wake for her is Friday at 7 p.m.  Her funeral is Saturday, June 15, 2013.  May she be enjoying her new Life with the Lord in her new home.

Leo Furnstahl, brother of Sisters Therese and Ann died last Friday. His funeral is in Pine River on Friday.  May the Lord be with them and give them the strength they need these days.  May he be with the Lord and have joy in his new home in heaven.

My heart sank lower and lower last evening as we traveled to Melrose and saw all the farm fields under water or with big puddles in them.  I hope the seeds don’t rot before they take root.  My prayer is that God give us favorable weather for a good growing season…starting now.

Saturday night we had a group, Have Fun Biking, stay overnight in the gym at St. Francis Center.  They bike for fun…no fund-raising involved.  They decided that it  would be best to stay inside, rather than  outside, because of rain in the forecast...and it did rain! The group of 14, was considerably smaller than usual because of all the rain we had recently.  They were enjoying the scenery from Park Rapids to Big Lake, MN.  For more information see:  HaveFunBiking.com or Russ@HaveFunBiking.com.

The Bloodmobile will be here next week, June 18 and 19 (1 to 8 p.m. and Friday the 19^th (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)  There is always much need for blood.  Set the time apart to donate.  Call for an appointment, 632-2981 and ask for Sr. Julien.

St. Francis Music Center is still taking registrations for music lessons.  Classes begin today, but students can still register.  St. Francis Music Center is a Community School for the arts.  There are lessons for piano, organ, guitar, bass guitar, banjo, percussion, voice, viola, cello and bass.  There are also classes in gymnastics for ages 3 and older.  The U Rock summer camp for Middle and High School students begin July 26^th.  These bands  will play at the Green Fair Folk Festival on August 7^th. For more information call 320-632-0637.

Last week Second Floor Clare Residence had an open house to show off the new things there.  One thing to see was the newly remodeled open lounge area near the Nurse’s Station.  The wall features a beautiful painting of an eagle by deceased Sister Cordy Bloch.  Also, new were the lovely shadow boxes at each room door, also in honor of Sr. Cordy and put together by her sister, Sr. Loretta.

The Chamber of Commerce sponsors “Business After Hour” several times a year.  Last week one of the businesses featured Gold Cross Ambulance.  They had on display a new ambulance which is an emergency room on wheels.  WOW all the things the EMTs can do in there is amazing!  And beside the new ambulance was a restored version of an ambulance of yesteryear.  Amazing to see, too.

I stopped at Pine Grove Park last week, too. I was too late to see the height of the trilliums in bloom.  I found only a couple flowers that still looked beautiful. I stopped at the dam, too.  There is a lot of water going over the spillway and through the open gates.

Some of us drivers will be taking Drivers road tests later this week. On Thursday Erin Bonito will be doing an in-service for the Nursing Staff during the day and in the evening a presentation for the Sisters.  Her topic has to do with memory loss and respectful care for those who have memory loss.

Girls Camp is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.  We are expecting 29 girls.  No matter the weather, they will have a good time.  But, we would like a couple sunny days so they can sleep in their tents in Assisi Park.  The BIG tent was set up on Monday.

This weekend, (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) the City of Little Falls will have their 10^th Dam Festival activities.  Most things happen in Maple Island Park.  There are activities for everyone.  I always like the Fireworks on Saturday at 10 p.m.  Come and enjoy.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all Fathers living and deceased.  May God bless and continue to care for them.

Peace and blessings,                                                                                                                                                    Sister Mary Lou