Bring on Fall!

We had nearly 1½ inches of rain Friday and last night…and I heard the word “snow” for Thursday. I guess it will come anytime, but I’m never ready for it. I don’t mind snow, it’s the ice that can happen with snow that I don’t like.

The Blood Drive happens Tuesday (1 to 7 p.m.), Wednesday (1 to 7 p.m.) and Thursday (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) this week. God bless all who will come to donate blood and to share the gift of life with others.

Hooray for Volunteers! Last week with the help of 35 volunteers approximately 16,000 Christmas Appeal envelopes were stuffed, sealed and had address labels applied in one and one-half days! That is record time. God bless each person who helped. We are most grateful for your help.

Most all the trees on campus have dropped their leaves but, the Little Leaf Linden Tree is is still fully dressed!

On Sunday three of us went to Brainerd to see the Geritol Frolics. Cast members are all over age 55—and one is in her “upper-upper” 80s. Singing, dancing, some Berma Shave walk-throughs and stories made for delightful entertainment and lots of hearty laughs. Those 30 singers, seven dancers and five-piece Orchestra really know how to make good music. The songs were mostly from the ‘50s.

Kelly is a “Master Stacker.” What takes the UPS delivery man three or four trips to get the boxes to the mailroom, Kelly gets all on one dolly!

I had a nice surprise this morning. Andy and Shannon came to show off their 13-day-old son, Noah. Three years ago Shannon was one of our Franciscan Volunteers (CFV) and I was her Praying Sister.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN. Let us pray for those who have died and who we celebrate on ALL SOULS Day. And Let us celebrate ALL SAINTS DAY...and living saints in our midst.

Day Light Savings Time ends on November 1st. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep.

Peace and all good.

Sister Mary Lou

P.S. 9:05: I just got home from the Concert at St. Mary’s Church. Father Kevin Anderson sang and played guitar for many of the songs he wrote and are on his new CD, HOPE. The music was GREAT. I feel like I was on a 1 ½ hour retreat. Nate, the pianist, uses his talent very well, too. Thank you, both of you.

There will be no blog next week.

Encourage and strengthen all

Yesterday was World Mission Sunday. May God bless, care for, encourage and strengthen all Missionaries all over the world as they spread the Good News of the Gospel. Let us pray for then each day.

I praise God every day for this beautiful fall weather. All the wind last week pretty well took down the leaves on most of the trees on campus—except one golden tree in front of Mary Hall.

During the ritual to mark the closing of Clare’s Well as one of our Franciscan Ministries, the Sisters built a Totem Pole, remembering some of the many good things that happened there during the 27 years we owned and operated Clare’s Well, our Spirituality Farm. The new owners will continue to do some of the same works that we did.

On October 11th we welcomed 11 new Franciscan Associates. At this time we have 308 Associates. God bless each one and thank you for spreading the message of Jesus through your example of living out our Franciscan values in our daily lives.

I noticed on our Weekly Calendar that Tuesday and Wednesday this week the Community Relations Department, with the help of many volunteers, will be “stuffing envelopes” for they yearly Christmas Appeal.

St. Francis Music Center has started practices with the St. Francis Community Chorale. Anyone who likes to sing can join the chorale…just show up for practice at 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays (St. Francis Hall).

The Franciscan Community Volunteers will be here for retreat from Friday evening until Sunday. They do good work and we are proud of them for donating a year for volunteer services.

Look at those squash! Sr. Ruth Lentner grew some giant squash in our garden this year. We also had a great harvest from our pear tree.

Next Sunday, October 25th, the K.C.’s will be in our dining room to treat the Sisters with Cake and Ice Cream. They do this each fall. We thank them in advance for the great treat. We keep you in our prayers and thank you for the many services you do.

The Bloodmobile will be here next Tuesday and Wednesday, October 27 & 28, (1 to 7 p.m.) and Thursday, October 29, (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) We’d be happy to receive your gift of life. Call Sister Julien (320-632-0663) to make an appointment – or just walk in.

November 12th is GIVE TO THE MAX DAY. We would be grateful if you would remember us, Franciscan Sisters. Little Falls, MN, in your generosity. Visit: GiveMN.org

On Saturday, November 14th, we have our Harvest Supper from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The menu includes chicken, sausage, garden vegetables, coleslaw, fresh bread, and homemade bars. Makes me hungry just thinking about it! Proceeds benefit St. Francis Music Center and St. Francis Health and Recreation programs.

Peace and all Good.
Sister Mary Lou

Some kind of wonderful

A busy weekend and a busy week coming up. ..(it’s always good to have something going on!)

On Saturday, about 65 Orphan Train descendants met for their annual get-together. The morning speaker was Sandy Thalmann from Rochester, MN. She is an adoptee, social worker and professional genealogist. I found it to be a very enlightening talk. Then the entertainment in the afternoon was provided by a group of young Irish Dancers from St. Paul. I was impressed at how fast they could move their feet and keep the top part of their body so still.

Saturday evening we had the “Transitus” Prayer Service which is always the night before the Feast of Saint Francis. The Transitus is a commemoration in drama, readings and song of the time of Saint Francis’ death. The Chapel, in semi darkness, and the words of St. Francis make for a powerful time of prayer. Afterward all were invited to the dining room for almond cookies—Saint Francis’ favorite cookies made by his friend, Lady Jacoba. (Since the chapel was too dark to take pictures, I took a picture of the cookies instead.)

Bishop Don Kettler was the presider at our 8:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. In the afternoon he had a fund-raising event at the Falls Ballroom.

And in the afternoon we had an Open House celebrating Consecrated Life. About 80 people came to have tours and to visit with the sisters. For at least four guests it was the first time they have ever been to St. Francis Convent. At 3 p.m. all were invited to the special Holden Evening Prayer that we use on special occasions. It was a very nice afternoon.

Tuesday afternoon we have registration for our four-day “Discerning Our Future” Community meetings that start at 6:00 p.m. Please keep us in prayer. Thank you.

This coming Sunday is Associate Commitment Day. I’ll have more about that next week.

Peace and All good.

Sister Mary Lou