Continued blessings...

Praise the Lord. We’ve had about 2 1/2 inches of rain the past two days. Now we await sunshine and warm weather, and the plants will really grow. Lawn mowing season is here. I like the smell of newly mown grass. How about you?

The news last week of Father Ken Brenny’s death came as a shock to all of us. He is known and loved by many of us. He came here as presider at Mass many times. His was a very active retirement. May he be enjoying Eternal Life with the Lord. Peace and blessings on him.

Today we celebrate Sister Fran Kempenich’s 90th birthday. Thank you, Sister Fran, for all the good you’ve done these many years and for all the lives you’ve touched. Continued blessings on you, Fran, and your activities.

Last Wednesday evening, we held our Volunteer Appreciation event. It was so much fun. For entertainment there was the revival of the Hootennunnies, a singing group of St. Francis High School Sister/Teachers in the 1950s. Words for the songs were on the screens in St. Francis Hall so everyone was singing along with them. And some people really dressed for the event!

May 15th was the feast of St. Isidore and Maria, Patrons of farmers and gardeners. Through their intercession, we pray for a good growing season. The following is the prayer we used to bless our gardens and fields. You can use it too, to bless your gardens and fields. “O God, from whom all blessings flow, look kindly on us as we begin another season of planting and tilling of the land. We humbly acknowledge our dependence on Your Provident Care and beg You to give to us the needed sunshine and rain so that what has been planted may come to fruition. Protect us from all that would destroy the potential fruits of this land. We, on our part, promise to cooperate in the building up of what You have created, honoring and respecting the handiwork of Your Hands.”

Thursday morning 46 Second and Third Grade Students from St. Francis Xavier School in Sartell will come for a tour at St. Francis Convent. One of our ministries for nearly 100 years was to make the Altar Breads that were sent to 127 parishes, mostly in the St. Cloud Diocese. We show a short video to the students which shows how Altar Breads were made. They will also visit our Chapel and the Franciscan Life Office to learn a bit about St. Francis. In addition they have opportunity to visit with the Sisters.

Thursday, evening, May 21st, about 30 students will be graduating from the CEC (Continuing Education Center) program. This education program has been happening at St. Francis Center for 25 years.

Sunday is the Feast of Pentecost. May we call on the Holy Spirit for Wisdom in making decisions… big ones and little ones.

God bless you.
Sister Mary Lou