Blessed Beyond Measure

Third Week of Lent

“Two roads diverge in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” (Robert Frost, poet, born March 26, 1874)

I just got a call to go to the bakery to take a picture of the fruits of the morning labors of Sr. Clara and Gerry…many loaves of bread just out of the oven and a few of the many fresh apple pies that we will have for supper tonight. They also made chocolate chip cookies. Sr. Clara wants to know more about baking and thought, “Go to an expert to learn.” Gerry is that expert! She worked in our bakery for 30+ years. Now in retirement and living at Alverna Apartments, a block away, she comes to volunteer in the bakery…and loves it…and we are happy to see her, also.

Earlier this morning we had a dusting of snow. Sounds like it could happen all week with possible accumulation on Thursday. Come, Spring. Come. “Spring is when you feel like whistling, even with a shoe full of slush.” (Doug Larson”)

March is Food Shelf Month. There were containers all over the building waiting to accept donations. Through the generosity of the Employees and Sisters we collected $1,038.60. THANK YOU. And all who use the Food Shelf are grateful, too, for your generosity. May God bless you greatly.

This is National Agricultural Week. This is a time to recognize and celebrate the efforts of our nation’s agriculture industry. This industry plays a vital role in maintaining a strong economy by creating jobs and producing an abundance of affordable high-quality products from the food on our tables to the clothes on our backs. Many of us come from a farming background. I am grateful for what I learned as a farmer’s daughter. Thank you, all farmers!

Yesterday, several of us went to the Dedication and Open House at Faith Lutheran Church. Last year, toward the end of April they broke ground for their new building. And now they are using it. It is very nice. Someone did make the comment that it was a good thing the ground was still frozen, or that parking lot would have been a muddy mess! At the end of the Dedication, they released three doves. I’m not sure if they were named “Faith, Hope and Charity,” or “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

Yesterday, too, was the 16th Annual Share Sunday, in honor of George Bzdok. All proceeds go to the County Food Shelves (there are three of them) and to the Boys and Girls Club. There were 4 categories of contestants: ages 9 and under, ages 10 & 11, ages 12 -14 and adult/professional. Some of the students show tremendous talent. My favorite act was the Japanese Dance that Mariah did. She was like a rubber-band with all her moves. (Made me a little jealous to see her move so easlily.)

On Saturday I attended the funeral of Jim O’Toole—an Irishman who died on St. Patrick’s Day. He was an educator who loved to see students do well. I remember him most for his work on the St. Cloud Diocesan Board of Education. He volunteered in many places after he retired.

When I went to Second Floor last Thursday, the First Day of Spring, I saw this broom standing upright all by itself in the middle of the floor. Quite something to see. I don’t know if it works like that every day or just on the day of the change of the seasons.

Painters have been busy in the Art Room. Sr. Mary Z. is about finished with this beauty. Getting it framed is the next thing.

Peace and blessings, Stay safe and healthy.

Sr. Mary Lou