Thanksgiving Greetings

“Now thank we our God with heart and hands an voices, Who wondrously things hath done, In Whom His world rejoices…” We think and sing these words with special fondness this week as we as a Nation celebrate Thanksgiving Day. And as we know, we need to/and do Thank God every day for the many blessings He bestows on us each day. I am thankful to you my readers.

Last week, I forgot to include Veterans Day information on our deceased Sister Cornelia (Ann) Lee, who was a World War I Veteran. She was born in Ireland in 1892. As a young girl she came to the United States and received a degree in nursing at Boston City Hospital. On completing her course there in 1917, she immediately volunteered her service as in the Army Nurse Corps. She entered active service in early 1918. After brief military training, she with a company of other nurses were sent to England and then to a base hospital in France. Soon after the armistice was signed, she returned to this country. In 1921 she received her honorable discharge from the army. She went to Chicago where she was active as a nurse until November 1922, when she entered the Franciscan Community in Little Falls, MN. “She was a Lieutenant in the United States Army,” (Sister Margaret Fruth, 1961.) While working at St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge, Doctor Rimer and Doctor Thane were talking about their service as surgeons in France. They wondered whatever happened to that wonderful Army nurse Ann Lee. Sister Cornelia looked down and her face became redder and redder. Later they found out that she was the Ann Lee they were talking about.

Last Thursday we had a Memorial Service honoring Sister Rosaria’s brother, Alvin Hagel, who died November 1st. Sister was not able to attend to Funeral Mass. So we celebrated him here in our Chapel. In the story-telling part of the service, Sr. Rosaria talked about his gentle and generous ways. Then another Sister told about a time when she and another Sister were visiting Alvin sometime before his death. He had a very large watermelon. After cutting off a piece for himself, he gave the rest to the Sisters. The only box he had was a Grain Belt Beer box. Folks in the lobby of the Nursing Home saw them carrying out the box, and commented that they “wanted to visit whoever they visited.”

Sunday, December 6th St. Francis Music Center will present a Concert, “Can You Hear the Angels Sing?” by St. Francis Community Chorale and St. Francis Children’s Choir at 7 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel at St. Francis Convent.

Friday, December 11th, St. Francis Music Center will present “Sweet Holiday Suites” by two Orchestra Concerts (St. Francis Preparatory Orchestra and St. Francis Concert Orchestra) at 7 p.m. at St. Francis Convent in Sacred Heat Chapel.

Tuesday we have a Bi-Lingual Mass honoring Father Teddy Niehaus, OFM, Cap. He worked in Nicaragua for 40 plus years. He was the nephew of three Niehaus Sisters in our Community—Sisters Inez, Venard and Helen.

Thursday is the Little Falls Community Thanksgiving Meal at the High School from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Franciscan Sisters and volunteers are busy in the kitchen peeling all the potatoes for the meal.

A BLEST AND SAFE HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL.

Peace and blessings, 

Sister Mary Lou