August 30, 2017

For a quick second, I wondered what I would write about today. One look at the bulletin board and I had plenty of items.

August is almost over…and soon the new school year starts for many students…but not for those students in the hurricane area in Texas, if they even have a school left for them to attend. I cannot imagine such devastation. For them we pray.

Sister Mary Alice Doll, age 96 and a Franciscan Sister for 75 years, died Saturday morning, August 26. 2017. Sister Alice was Director of Religious Education for the Saint Cloud Diocese for many years. As an example of her influence, when she began her diocesan ministry only 15 parishes had a religious education director while at the time of her retirement, 74 parishes had developed religious education programs. Her Franciscan Wake is at 7 p.m. this evening and the Mass of Christian Burial is tomorrow, August 31^st, at 11 a.m. Sisters had been sitting with her during the night for several days before she died. During the day, her niece, Patty Doll, stayed with her. Eternal Life give to her, O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.

Sister Alice was also a gifted artist. She drew pictures for the Stations of the Cross that line the pathway to the cemetery. Here are a couple of her paintings.

We had another very successful American Red Cross blood drive here Monday and Tuesday. We collected 196 units of blood. God bless and care for all the generous donors and the staff who worked the drive.

Another note on the bulletin board asks us to pray for a donor, Greg, who will have a bone marrow transplant tomorrow (31^st). The donor is a 100% match and lives in Germany. That takes teamwork between doctors, pilots and others to carry that off! For Greg it is a matter of life and death. Again, let us pray for the success of this endeavor.

I’ve been watching the news about hurricane Harvey. Thank you to all who are helping out there.  The need is great. One news article said that in a 1927 hurricane the Mississippi River was 600 miles wide. Could that be true?

Yesterday our friend, Larry Anderson, from Morris, brought us 585 pounds of cabbage. That will make lots of coleslaw and sauerkraut! God bless you, Larry.

Last week, the folks in the Development Office sent out a bulk mailing of 3,000+ appeal letters. The proceeds from this appeal will benefit our Franciscan Ministries. Because of your generosity and love of the Gospel, we are able to provide assistance and care to people who are poor, marginalized and forgotten. Again, we are praying for all our generous donors. Thank you.

How about this for a beautiful tray of little tomatoes from our convent garden.

While filling in for lunch-break this noon, I picked up the little book from the Music Center that describes their many offerings. They have a staff of 26 people and offer many types of lessons:  piano, organ, guitar, music therapy, violin, viola, brass ensemble, orchestra, cello,  bass guitar, banjo, mandolin, gymnastics, dance, voice, theory, accordion, percussion, etc. Sister Cecilia Schmitt was instrumental in establishing the Music Center 38 years ago.

That’s enough for this week.

God bless and continue to care for you.

Sister Mary Lou

August 14, 2017

We had about 2 inches of rain over the weekend…and it took until noon today for the sun to come out

Last Thursday we celebrated the 100^th Birthday of Sister Mary Joel Bieniek. Many family and friends joined us in the afternoon for cake and ice cream. Congratulations,

Sister Joel, and thank you for all the good works you’ve done those many years.

 When we look to end of a second floor hallway, we see this statue of the Sacred Heart. As you see in the note, it has been with us for a long time. “Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place our trust in You.  Amen.”

Sacred Heart Chapel

This statue was given to the St. Gabriel's Hospital Sisters by the St. Gabriel's Nursing School Alumnae.

It was in the Recreation Room for the Nursing School students on Ground Floor untill the late 1970's, then it was brought over to Hurrle Hall. In 1993, it was in the Recreation Room of the Immaculate Conception Community on First Floor of Clare Residence.

I recently read this African Proverb: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” A good thought for pondering.

We have a quiet week here, as far as I know. And that is OK.

Peace and God bless you.

Sister Mary Lou

August 7, 2017

Yesterday Bishop Donald Kettler presided at the 11 a.m. Mass here at the Motherhouse as we celebrated the 75^th Jubilees of Sister Annella Bieniek, Sister Alice Doll and Sister Fran Kempenich and the 50^th Jubilees of Sister Louise Bauer and Sister Charlene Grossman. It was a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge these five Sisters for their many years of service as Franciscan Sisters.  Congratulations, Sisters.

The other big event of last week was the Green Fair Folk Festival on Wednesday, August 2^nd from 4—8 p.m. I think the most popular event was the horse and wagon  tour of campus. Each trip lasted about 20/25 minutes. I was lucky enough to provide narration telling about the many places we saw.  I went to on four of those trips. The weather forecast earlier that day wasn’t all that great, yet that evening it was perfect outside with just enough gentle breeze to keep the mosquitos away. There was also a opportunity to tour our Convent Chapel. Many people have seen it from the outside, but had never been inside to see it. About 1,000 was a guesstimate for the number of attendees.

The next big event will be this Thursday when we celebrate Sister Joel Bieniek’s 100^th birthday. We will have Mass at 11 a.m. followed by lunch and then a reception at 2 p.m. Thank you for all the wonderful ministries you’ve don these many years: food service in hospitals and nursing homes and here at the Motherhouse, sacristan and now flower arranger for Chapel. Congratulations.

I want to share a reflection with you.

Advice From a Tree

Dear Friend

Stand Tall and Proud

Sink your roots deeply into the Earth

Reflect the light of your true nature

Think long term

Go out on a limb

Remember your place among all living beings

Embrace with joy the changing seasons

For each yields its own abundance

The Energy and birth of Spring

The Growth and Contentment of Summer

The Wisdom to let go like leaves in the Fall

The Rest and Quiet renewal of Winter

Feel the wind and the sun

And delight in their presence

Look up at the moon that shines down upon you

And the mystery of the stars at night

Seek nourishment from the good things in life

Simple pleasures

Earth, fresh air, light

Be content with your natural beauty

Drink plenty of water

Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes

Be flexible

Remember your roots

Enjoy the view!

 (by Ilar Shamir)

Peace and blessings.’

Have a good week.

Sister Mary Lou