My heart sings for joy

May 13, 2014- Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Spring is definitely on the way. The “radio guy” this morning said we’ve had about 3 inches of rain since it started last Wednesday. The tree buds are getting bigger and the lawns are beautiful. Newly planted grass seeds are showing thin, little blades. It makes my heart sing for joy. Pictured is our faithful Steve, trimming the bush near the St. Joseph statue.

This past weekend was pure joy…no place to travel, no meetings, no goings-on…just a quiet time at home! I played cribbage a couple hours with my friend Al. (We each won and lost about the same number of games.)

On May 8th, sixteen of us went to St. Ben’s College for Breakfast with the Bishop. This was sponsored by the Catholic Foundation and was an opportunity for them to say “Thank You” to the Sisters: Benedictine, Notre Dame and Franciscan for their work as Catholic Educators in the Diocese of St. Cloud since 1857. The Catholic Foundation, by their grants, help parents pay tuition for their children so they can attend Catholic Schools. This past year they gave out 42 three hundred dollar grants. I believe in Catholic Education. I guess I should after being a teacher and principal in Catholic Schools for almost 50 years.

Thursday is the feast of Saints Isidore and Maria. Isidore is the patron of farmers. While he plowed the fields, he prayed in his heart. He and his wife Maria, who was also canonized for her holiness, bridged the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Isidore died May 15, 1130 and Maria died in 1175. Let us pray for farmers and gardeners and ask St. Isidore for a good growing season and a good harvest. St. Isidore, pray for us.

The Music Center has Spring Music Recitals Saturday (1 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.) in rooms 242, 244 at Sr. Francis Center. Thanks for sharing your talents, all you Music Students.

Yesterday I read to my First Graders at Lindbergh School for the last time this school year. Where has the year gone? (And September will be here soon.) It’s been fun seeing the students grow in wisdom and age.

Pax et Bonum.
Sister Mary Lou

It's cold outside!

We are into January and a cold one it is.  Local radio says it was minus 23 this morning with a wind chill of minus 43 degrees…that’s cold if you have to be in it for any length of time.  My plans are to stay inside as much as possible.  They say the high today will be about minus 15.  Even with the severe cold we are still fortunate because we have electricity and do not have ice coated power lines, trees and roads.

After two weeks with a “Sunday” in the middle of the week, and a “Monday” after Wednesday, it is good to be back to a week where Monday follows Sunday and the days go along as expected.  We don’t have to say, “Today is Monday.”  The past two weeks the day after Wednesday felt like a Monday.

We’ve had Christmas and New Year’s and Epiphany.  Next Sunday is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and the end of the Christmas Season according to the Church calendar.  It seems to me that it all went by pretty fast.  On Saturday we Sisters had our Christmas celebration.  After the special meal, we sing Christmas carols for half an hour or so.  We do like to sing.

The Blood Mobile will be here Wednesday, Thursday (1 to 7 p.m.) and Friday (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)   I hope the cold does not scare off donors.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Stephen Ministers from Anoka will be having meetings here.

One day last week I got a picture of Sr. Julien and Geri frosting cookies.

This morning I went looking for door decorations.  Have a little look.

Next week there will be a retreat going on from Monday to Sunday.

Peace and blessings, 
Stay warm and safe.  Snow-birds we envy you.
Sister Mary Lou

HAPPY EASTER. May the Risen Christ bless us...

HAPPY EASTER.  May the Risen Christ bless us.  May the Peace of Christ fill our lives.  May the joy of new life resurrect our spirits.

On Holy Thursday, our evening service began with a 4:30 p.m. Agape Prayer and delicious evening meal.  At 7 p.m., we had the Eucharist, the Washing of Feet, and Adoration until 10 p.m. Our Holy Week and Easter Services were spirit filled and inspirational.  Those who read the Passion on Palm Sunday and Good Friday did exceptionally well.  

On Friday morning, forty + people took part in the Silent Walk for Peace.  It was impressive to see that large group walking silently and carrying the large wooden cross through the downtown part of Little Falls.  There were prayers and a song at each of the 10 stops:  Maple Island Park, the Veterans Memorial, Bank Square, the Government Center, the jail, St. Mary’s School, St. Gabriel’s Hospital, Alverna Apartments and St. Otto’s Home, and the Motherhouse.  We prayed for the care of the earth, all veterans (living and deceased), a just economic system in our country, those imprisoned (justly or unjustly), students and teachers, the sick and the elderly and the Franciscan Sisters and their ministries.  A couple times traffic had to stop for the group to cross the streets.

The Easter Vigil service with the blessing of the fire and lighting of the candles, the readings, the blessing of water and especially the Eucharist are very special to me.  Quite a few of us spent some time on Easter Sunday with our families—always a very special time, indeed.Before breakfast on Easter Morning, Father Michael blessed our foods for the day: eggs, breads, ham, wine, etc.

I took the picture of these apple blossoms after the first hard freeze this week.  I don’t know how they look now after four mornings of hard freezes.  Our little orchard usually produces plenty of apples for apple sauce for our needs.  We will have to wait and see what happens this year.   (It would have been better if this cold weather had come in March.)

Sister Bernice grew the grass for this lovely, small replica of the empty tomb with the stone rolled away.

Monique Sobania, at the piano, and four of her children helped provide beautiful music for our Easter Sunday morning Eucharist.  Those four young strings players are so talented!  We are so grateful that they share their talents with us.

These three days, 11^th, 12^th ad 13^th, we have the Bloodmobile here for a blood drive.  Our goal is 250 units.  I’ll report back next week for our actual total.  God bless all blood donors.  They give the gift of life.

Last week my last paragraph announced the death of Sister Marcelline Virnig, age 96, who died Monday afternoon.  Her funeral was Easter Monday.  Then Wednesday afternoon Sister Marcella Schuller, age 95, died and her funeral is today, Thursday.

Saturday we have the Spring Retreat for the Secular Franciscans.  So far, at least 60 have registered for the day.  It will be a good day.  Our speaker is Franciscan Priest, Father Anthony Criscitelli.

On Sunday, the 15^th, the Strings Orchestra will have a concert in Chapel at 3 p.m.  It is always a wonderful event.  I invite you to come .

Next week, April 16 to 20, is Severe Weather Awareness Week.  We will have a tornado drill on Thursday when the State-wide tornado drill will take place.  Let us pray that the drill is the only time this season we need to head to the tunnel.  May God protect us from severe storms…and give us seasonable rain for crops and trees.

Again, Happy Easter.                                                                                                                                Peace and blessings,                                                                                                                                   Sister Mary Lou

First week of Lent.

We’re into the first Week of Lent.  May the Holy Spirit direct you in ways of Prayer, Fasting and Alms  Giving…your time, your talent, your money. 

Paul Baker Hernandez is touring North America to share a wonderful inspirational Latin American music, to talk about life in Latin America and to raise funds to continue grass-roots health, educational and cultural programs in his working class barrio in Managua.  Paul sings in both Spanish and English.  As part of his tour, Paul will be performing here in Sacred Heart Chapel on Wednesday, February 29^th at 7 p.m. Free-will offerings will be accepted to support Paul’s “Save the Water, Save the Children” ministry. I hope the program will not be a victim of the predicted big storm for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Friday, March 2^nd is the World Day of Prayer service.  This year it is at First Lutheran Church here in Little Falls.  Women, men and Children in 170 countries will celebrate this day.  The women of Malaysia prepared this year’s service.  The theme is “Let Justice Prevail.”  The message of the day is a clear message:  It takes courage, compassion and active engagement for justice to prevail.  World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer on the first Friday of March.   Services begin at sunrise in the Pacific and follow the sun across the globe on the day of celebration.

Last Saturday a group of students and parents from Flensburg, Randall, Sobieski came for a tour of the Convent.  On a tour we show them the Chapel, the Library, have a video and see the display of the Altar Bread Department, St. Francis Center, and talk about the Music Center, Health and Recreation Department, and the Continuing Education Center.

We will have Stations of the Cross on Friday at 3:30 p.m. God bless you this week.

Peace.

Sr. Mary Lou                                                                                                                                                                       

Ash Wednesday 2012

Christmas seems like so long ago.  Now we begin Lent and Easter will be here before we know it!  We had a couple inches of snow with more to come the next days.  The clean white cover of snow makes everything so bright and light.  Thank you, God.

Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday or Doughnut Day…or Mardi Gras.  Doughnuts on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, is a tradition in our Community.  Our Elders all can tell you about Sr. Margaret Fruth’s doughnuts.  It seems she made them for everyone on campus.  And they were so good!  We had doughnuts yesterday and we celebrated Mardi Gras.  Now today we will get serious about Lent and Lenten practices—prayer, fasting and alms-giving.

We have an international visitor with us this week.  Sister Maristell’s first cousin  once removed, from the country of Luxemburg is here visiting her American Family.  After visiting Sister and other relatives “up north,”  she will go on to New York for a meeting which was her real reason for coming to the States.

Another big puzzle was finished the other day.  One BIG horse with many other pictures of horses included.  Very lovely…challenging because of the irregular outline.

Next Wednesday is February 29^th.  Enjoy the day.  It won’t come around for another four years.  Once in my teaching years, we had a student with a February 29^th birthday.

On March 1^st we celebrate our Founding Day…Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, MN…our 121st Community’s Birthday.

My blessing for you today is the one at the end of Morning Prayer for today:  “May God remember our work and labors and may a place be reserved for us among the rewards of the just.  May we receive every blessing we desire and may our every worthy request be fulfilled.”  (St. Francis {1C 108})

Peace,                                                                                                                                                        Sister Mary Lou

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you had a great Valentine’s Day. I will pick up m Valentine Bag today when I go to read to First Graders at Lindbergh school…and I am hoping the Children are over their “sugar high” by today.


We had a wonderful “send-off” yesterday for Fr. John Eccleston. Bishop John Kinney was the presider at the Funeral Mass. Many Priests and Sisters attended. The day was very nice. The Liturgy and singing was full and harmonious. We had a Franciscan Wake Service for Fr. John on Tuesday evening. Father John was our Chaplain for nearly 20 years. Eternal Joy to Fr. John and all the deceased. There were two other funerals at 11 a.m. on Wednesday of Relatives of Sisters—Sr. Janice Wiechman’s cousin, Craig Wiechman and Sr. Adella Blonigen’s sister, Agnes Rothstein. So we had to make choices.

This month we are celebrating the State of Louisiana. Yesterday’s menu was Louisiana foods: Catfish, Red beans, Squash, Hush Puppies, Windsor Court Salad, and Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding with Bourbon Pecan Sauce.

The latest issue of OUR JOURNEY was just published this week. So far, I’ve only read the first two articles: “First International mission: Yunguyo, Peru” and ”Education: Franciscan Sisters at the Forefront.” If you do not receive our magazine, and would like to get it, let me know and I will get you on the mailing list. You can also read it here online: http://www.fslf.org/pages/OurJourneyPublication/

Last week we celebrated the Dietary Department. We had wonderful ice cream treats. We all appreciate the many ways this group of workers serve us; good food, graciously served.

Lent starts next week. Are you ready for it?

Peace and blessing on you. Sister Mary Lou

First snowfall of the season

We got our first real snowfall yesterday—about 5 inches here, windy, poor visibility and very slippery roads. Some guests who were here for the funeral yesterday spent an extra night with us and then left for home this morning. Sounded to me like a good thing to do.

Last week I wrote about Sr. Blanche’s death on Sunday morning. Her funeral was on Thursday. Then Monday early afternoon Sr. Jeanette Martell went to meet the Lord. Her funeral was Saturday. May they both be enjoying life with the Lord and being reunited with their family who have gone before them.

Wednesday afternoon the Community Relations Department personnel were honored. These folks certainly do a lot of work to keep the world informed about activities of our Franciscan Community and our ministries. Thanks you to each of you for all that you do.

On Wednesday was Give to the Max Day. We had many generous donors. With the matching grant we had a total of nearly $17,500. God bless each who donated. There were a number of non-profit organizations at the Great River Arts building during the day. Kathy, our volunteer coordinator, spent most of the day there or driving Sisters back and forth. I was there several hours. Terry, from our kitchen, made Chicken Wild Rice Soup for noon lunch. There was still a little left when I got there so I had a good supper. We had a nice display showing some of our Franciscan Ministries. Horizon Health had their table right across from our display. Sister Lillian was so surprised to see her sister’s picture on their big banner. Kathy had her little Smart Car all decked out to remind passers-by of the Give to the Max Day event. This was the first time we were involved in Give to the Max.

Sr. Lillian had some paintings on display at the Great River Arts exhibit. Yesterday there was a special reception where folks could meet some of the 30 artists whose works in paintings, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and more are on display. The show will last through January 5th, 2012.

On Thursday evening, Sister Julien Dirkes received the Book of Golden Deeds Award at the VFW, for her many works of service throughout the Little Falls Community. The Little Falls Exchange Club presents the award. Sister Bea Eichten led the invocation. About 15 of our Sisters attended the meal and program. This award had been given out every year since 1972. Sr. Carla Przybilla and Sr. Maureen Blenkush had received this award in the past. As I looked over the list of past recipients, I was surprised at how many I knew. Guess that’s what happens when one has been around for a while!

This month we are remembering the State of Missouri as our State of the Month. We started the day with pancakes with black walnuts baked in them. Yummy!

Thanksgiving Day is Thursday. We all have so many things to be thankful for. Even on the bad days, there are many blessings. I am thankful to all of you who read my blog.

Let us pray, too, for safety on the highways for all winter long. It seems always to take a while for drivers to re-remember how to drive in/on snow and ice. Please be careful.

God bless you,

Sister Mary Lou

BRRRRRRRRR: It takes a little getting used to 40 degree temps

I am grateful for the bits of rain we had last week. I expect we will get more. As I looked out the window just now a large flock of geese just went over and the ½ moon is still visible on this bright sunshiny morning.

It was the best spent $10 and 2 ½ hours of entertainment I’ve had in some time. Yesterday four of us went to Brainerd to attend the GERITOL FROLICS, directed by Ed Yunker. The performers are ages 55 to 89. They sing and dance and tell stories and just make you laugh and clap your hands. The dances are great and the singing is fantastic. The 5-person band makes music fill the jam-packed auditorium. It is a cast and crew of 65 from Brainerd, and surrounding area. If you ever have the chance, I’d urge you to go to the Geritol Frolics. It is 8 performances on two weekends in October.

Each month we are highlighting a different state in the dining room. This month it is Michigan. The tables have little stand-ups with interesting facts about the state. Fluoridated water originated in Grand Rapids January 25, 1945. Apples are Michigan’s largest and most valuable fruit crop. “Snap, Crackle and Pop” were born in Battle Creek MI...and of course we know about the cars.

Each month, too, a different department is recognized, October is the time to honor the Franciscan Life Center. Sr. Bernice has lots to do with scheduling retreats, prayer days, workshops Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina prayer etc., etc. etc. Thank you, Sister, for your hard work,

On Friday evening, we had, a new to me, prayer experience, “Visio Divina.” You may have experienced “Lectio Divina,” a method of praying with Scripture. “Visio Divina” (Latin for “divine seeing”) is a method for praying with images, pictures. We used the image of the creation as portrayed in the St. John’s Bible. Visio Divina invites us to see beyond first and second impressions, to see and be surprised and transformed by God, Who is never limited or tied to an image, but speaks through them. Dawn Carillo led us in this beautiful time of prayer.

This past weekend we had six couples make the Marriage Encounter at St. Francis Center. Father Michael, OSB, was presider at their Saturday evening Mass.

All is in readiness for 75 volunteers to come “stuff 16,500 envelopes” for our annual Christmas Appeal. They will get the job done in two days! The funds raised will be used for equipment to assist our elder Sisters who reside in our nursing care area of Clare Residence.

The Blood Mobile will be here November 2nd, 3rd and 4th. On November 5th we have a Harvest Supper fund raiser. There is a Soup Supper February 4th and a Spaghetti Supper April 21st. I read all these things in our Community Newsletter in a six-inch long listing of upcoming events.

Peace and blessings,

Sister Mary Lou

July 26, 2011

A couple really nice days right now.  Sounds like the weather will be more active this coming night!  Lord, protect us all from violent storms.  Last Saturday morning we got 8/10s of an inch of rain in 25 minutes.  I know some of you got more than that.

Saturday afternoon I went outside to get a bit of fresh air.  Then I saw the pick-up by the Community Gardens and remembered that this was the day for the Community Garden Tour (Sponsored by Grace Covenant Church).  So I went over to talk to Ron.  He gave me a program of places that were on the list.  Two of them were within two blocks of the Motherhouse…and two of them were right here on our campus.  One of them was the Community Gardens that I’ve mentioned before—68 plots cared for by people of the area.  The other was Sister Ruth’s Campus Garden along with the rhubarb patch, orchard, and other things.  Sr. Ruth is a Horticulturalist and knows how to get the best results.

Then I went to Lucy’s home on St. Joseph Street.  There were beautiful annuals, perennials and a vegetable patch…so many colorful flowers in such a small space…and one patch of  “no  mow” grass. 

Next I went to the Barnes’ back yard on 8^th Ave.  The first thing one sees is an arched gate covered with a huge grape vine with lots of grapes.  Then I saw a mix of plants and antiques.  Very nice.

While talking about plants, I stopped to see “Sr. Deb’s Garden.”  Sr. Deb died last year, but she had a beautiful flower garden where she lived in Flensburg.  Last fall several  Sisters and others moved many of the flowers to the field across from the Grotto and put it into two flower patches.  The lilies had mostly been picked and put in chapel, but there were many lovely flowers still blooming in the gardens.

Each month we celebrate a Department.  This month we honor the Music Department.  The Sobania  Family gave us a 15-minute strings concert…the mother on the keyboard and 4 of her children.  What a lovely treat to hear such beautiful music.

The Music Center was started by Sr. Cecilia in 1979.  A typical week included 271 private lessons, 6 music theory lessons, 56 dancers, 30 gymnasts, 6 piano party kids, 5 violin party students and 22 Preschool Arts Kids.  The “party” kids are group lessons.  Students come from Staples, Browerville, Long Prairie, Onamia, Rice and Little Falls.

Sisters Olga and Blasé were playing with some of the kittens one evening after supper.

Last week, Tuesday through Thursday, 28 Directors of Nursing were here for a Nursing Leadership Symposium sponsored by the Aging Service of MN.  The participants came form all parts of Minnesota.

May the Lord continue to care for you. and those you love.
Let us pray for the people of Norway as they mourn the deaths of so many young people.
And let us pray for our own country.

Pax et Bonum,

Sister Mary Lou

So many things to write about!

So many things to write about. And if I don’t do it today it won’t get done until next week.

Last Thursday evening, the Continuing Education School had their graduation for 28 young men and women. The Franciscan Sisters gave scholarships to two young women. Kimberlynn Allen will be attending classes at St. Cloud Technical College in the Dental Hygiene Program next fall. Taeler Ross will attend the University of Minnesota-Morris in the fall with hopes of becoming an elementary teacher. We wish our best to these and to all 2011 graduates. We will keep you in our prayers. The Continuing Education Center has had its programs at St. Francis for 22 years.

We celebrated Memorial Day over the weekend. On Sunday, a couple of us went to Camp Ripley for their 16th annual Memorial Day ceremony. Eleven Minnesota Military persons have died since last year’s service. The day was overcast and we had only two drops of rain. So we did not have hot sun to contend with. There was an American flag at every grave site and flowers by many graves, also. God bless all the living and deceased military personnel.

While out at the Veteran’s Cemetery, we were also able to see the first of the five 8-foot by 10-foot oil paintings by artist Charles Kapsner, depicting Veterans through the ages. The five paintings will honor the Army, the Marine Corps, the Navy, the Air Force and the Coast Guard. When completed they will be on display in the Committal Hall at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls. This historic project will ensure that our Veterans’ sacrifice will be remembered. I was surprised to hear that there are over 4,000 veterans and their family members buried there.

I am in awe of all the activity in the Community Gardens just south of the Motherhouse. There are 68 plots of varying sizes, and they are all taken. The produce seems to be growing well. With our sandy soil, the rain and rain and rain has not hurt the gardens—and saves on watering!

This morning the outgoing Leadership Team had coffee and donuts and a short program as a thank you to us. Three of the Sisters were contestants in the ”Jeopardy of Fortune” game.

The big 2,000 piece puzzle got finished last week, too. The many black pieces made it a challenge to finish. The picture is that of the San Francisco Bridge. It is a Ravensburger Puzzle. No two pieces are alike, so the box says.

Last week we had a Rhubarb Party. The 'Sentence to Serve' guys pulled the rhubarb and the Sisters washed and cut up 25, 5-gallon pails for freezing.

Peace and goodness.

 Sister Mary Lou