What's normal anyway?

I’m sure the Groundhog saw its shadow—and even if it didn't, I know we will still have some winter left…since we've not had a lot of it yet! Let us pray for the safety of the folks that have gotten so much snow lately. And I am praying for some more snow here or the earth will be really short of moisture for the coming growing season.

The retreat is over and life is pretty much back to normal—whatever that is.

Tomorrow evening we have the Employee Appreciation Dinner and program. Phyllis Dobis(Finance) is celebrating 35 years, Elsie Miller (Technology) 30 years, Donna Field (Leadership) 25 years, Sandy McNeill (Health and Rec) 15 years, Melissa Harris (Clare Residence), Amy Hollingsworth (Nutrition services), Nicole Maslowski (Health and Rec) and Jeff Odendahl (JPIC) all celebrating 10 years and Dick Beyreuther (Finance) and Alex Kulus (Nutrition Service) celebrating 5 years. Congratulations and God’s blessings on each of you. The Francis Award winner will also be announced. Who will it be? I’m looking forward to the program. A group of Sisters will present the musical Brother Juniper. (Way back when I was in the novitiate, some 60 years ago, they did this play, too.)

Thursday we have a bi-lingual Mass to honor Dorothy Stang, assassinated in 2005 in Brazil.

Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. we will have Taize Prayer in Sacred Heart Chapel.

The other BIG event this week is the Soup Supper Saturday. Serving is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. There will be three varieties of homemade soup: Chicken Wild-Rice, Beef Barley Vegetable and Bean and Ham. Also, we’ll have fresh bread: cracked wheat and while, Bars, Beverage. St. Francis Music Center and St. Francis Health and Rec will receive the profits for scholarships for students.

A prayer service dedicated to ending human trafficking and support for victims of trafficking will be held on Sunday from 2 to 3  p.m.

Most of us have been well, but we did have a few cases of the flu. The Care Center has done a great job of taking care of the sick and keeping the rest of us well. Thank you.

This is it for this week. 

Peace and blessings,

Sister Mary Lou