Making a Joyful Noise

The third week of Advent is half over. Christmas decorations are up all over. Last week I took a picture of Jane fixing the ribbon on top of the big tree in the entryway. Now is the finished product.

Friday, Dec. 12, the St. Francis Preparatory and Concert Orchestras presented their “Making Merry” Christmas Concert. The response to the ten beginning violin students in the Preparatory Orchestra was loud and proud. The Concert Orchestra performance was fantastic. Some Music Center Alumna, Faculty Members and Friends from the Heartland Symphony Orchestra joined the St. Francis Concert Orchestra. We are so fortunate to have such high caliber entertainment right here in Little Falls. It’s easy to see that the players enjoy playing and sharing their talents.

The local Lion’s Club members came to sing Christmas Carols with us and we shared pizza with them. They start singing at 5 p.m. and go to four or five other places to sing for the elderly. So by the time they get here they are hungry for supper. We always enjoy their visit.

I was scheduled to go to St. Cloud for dinner with Santa at the Holiday Inn on Monday evening. Because of my shoulder injury, I decided it best for me to not attend. Several Sisters did join the 450+ Senior Citizens who were there. I hear that it was a fun evening. (My shoulder is much better and I am back to doing most of what I did before my fall. I am grateful for all the prayers and the fine care I received in Convent Care.)

Tomorrow we have the Sister/Employee Christmas Lunch and then all the drawings for the Caring by Sharing Gift Baskets. Thus far we’ve taken in over $1,293 that will go to the Boys and Girls Club. And tomorrow we will find out who wins the beautiful baskets that have been on display the past two weeks.

Tomorrow, too, we will have a prayer service as we put closure to the ministry of the Clothes Review. For over 45 years the Clothes Review has served the needs of those in need. Most of that time, the Clothes Review was housed here on St. Francis Campus.

From now on the ministry of the Clothes Review will be taken over by “New 2 You” as a way to help with the Boys and Girls Club expenses and helping Habitat for Humanity, also. The hours at New 2 You are 9 to 5 Tuesday through Saturday. They are looking for volunteers. One volunteer said, “Giving back to the community feels good! I’m making new friends and learning new skills.”

On the 23rd, from 4 to 7 p.m., Sr. Julien and I will be at Coborns “Making a Joyful Noise,” which is a fund-raiser for the Morrison County Food Shelf. The two of us always have a successful evening.

Christmas Eve Services start with singing Christmas Carols at 7 p.m. on the 23rd. The Mass starts at 7:30 p.m. Treats will be served in St. Francis Hall after Mass. All are invited to join us.

Mass on Christmas Day will be at the usual time of 8:30 a.m. Again, all are invited to join us.

Peace and God’s blessings on you and those you love,

Sister Mary Lou

The Blood Mobile will be here January 7 and 8 (1 to 7 p.m.) and 9th (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Mark your calendars.