May God’s Face shine upon us

“May God’s Face shine upon us.” (Psalm 67) The Face of God did shine upon us this weekend. What a wonderful description of the weather these past days. The Paint-a-Thon took place on Saturday…a perfect day for 60 + volunteers to paint outsides of five homes and a garage. There was no breakfast this year, but the Franciscan Sisters donated 12 dozen cinnamon and caramel rolls that were delivered to the paint sites. Thank you, painters, for giving your time to help others. Another home needs a new door and screen door. Betz and Keith are shopping for that. It’s an older home with non-standard size doors, so they have their work cut out for them…they may have to have it custom-made. The Paint-a-Thon is an activity under Oasis of Central Minnesota.

Last Wednesday we had “Twins Day” here at the Convent. Hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jacks were some of the foods of the day. Sr. Donna dressed for the day with a Twins shirt and hat and hankie. The game was on the big-screen TV in St. Francis Hall. The Twins won.

Friday and Saturday we hosted a great group of women—General Federation of Women’s Clubs of MN (GFWC) Thirty of the 40 women stayed overnight at St. Francis Center. This is the fourth year they have come here for their meeting. They were founded in 1890 and promote service, enrichment and friendship. Members are from all over Minnesota: the far north the far south, the east and the west.

Excitement is building for the 9th annual Green Fair Folk Festival is Wednesday (4 to 8 p.m.). We expect 48 vendors, good food, slices of peanut butter & jelly bread, horse-drawn wagon rides to tour the campus, tours of Chapel and much more. Please pray for good weather and safety for all. Thank you.

Excitement, also, is building as we prepare to celebrate JUBILEES this coming weekend. Sister Bernarda Sanoski celebrates 80 years as a Franciscan Sister. Seventy-fifth year Jubilarians are Sister Maureen Blenkush and Sr. Evangeline Stanoch. Sixty-year celebrants are: Sisters Loretta Beyer, Loretta Denfeld, Bernice Ebner, Jan Kilian, Louise McKigney, Trudy Schommer, Jean Schwieters and Hope Uphoff. Our 50-year celebrant is Sister Doretta Meier. Bishop Don Kettler will preside at the 11 a.m. Mass. CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU for a total of 780 years as Franciscan Sisters! That’s a lot! And you’ve done marvelous works those many years.

On a trip to the orchard the other afternoon I saw lots of beautiful apples.

God bless you. Have a good week Peace and blessings on you and those you love.

Sister Mary Lou