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

Happy Summer!

Another beautiful June day. Crops look good. Gardens look beautiful. We’ve already had fresh garden lettuce and radishes from our Convent garden. Sister Ruth and her crew are doing a great job in our two-acre garden. Again, this year, we have the garden-partnership with the High School—so both the Convent and High School share the produce.

The 24 girls that came for Girls Camp had a good time—and they got to sleep in their tents in Assisi Park both nights. If there had been stormy weather, they’d sleep in St. Francis Hall. The first activity they do is to paint a t-shirt. Here ae two samples.

We had a nice surprise last week. Franciscan Sisters were listed as one of the Top Employers for small businesses, by the Minneapolis Tribune. We were 3 number 11 in the listing. (We want to treat people right and I guess we must be doing it.) There were rules as to who could answer the survey. Ninety-eight qualified and 81 responded. I’ve always known we have great employees who like to work here. I guess it is a mutual caring for each other that makes things go well. Thank you, employees. We appreciate you, too. We celebrated with a treat for everyone.

Last Friday was the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Here is a picture of the cornerstone in the Chapel, built in 1942.

Thursday evening we were privileged to have some Nicaraguan Dancers perform for us in St. Francis Hall.

After the dancing, Sr. Fabian was in deep conversation with one of the guests who came for the dancing.

This week we have the Bloodmobile here for three days. God bless the donors.

On Friday, we will have some presentations by Youth in Theology Participants. It is wonderful to hear how young people are spreading the Word of God in their parishes. Last summer they took classes at St. John’s University, then during the year did a project. And now they come to tell us of their projects and how they went. Franciscan Sisters is one of the sponsors for this program.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL FATHERS, living and deceased. Thanks for all the good things you’ve done for your families. We pray for you and ask God to continue to bless and care for you.

Happy Summer—-it comes on Sunday!
Sister Mary Lou

A busy (and wet) beginning of Summer

Last evening we went to the Wake for Alois Wiechman, Sister Janice’s father, in Melrose.  The Franciscan Sisters were well represented for the prayer service.  May Alois be enjoying his new Life with the Lord in his new home.  Peace and blessings to Sister Janice and the members of her family.

Last Friday evening Sister Mary Wentland went to heaven.  I will always remember her positive attitude as she struggled with her cancer and the many chemo sessions over the past nine years.  The Wake for her is Friday at 7 p.m.  Her funeral is Saturday, June 15, 2013.  May she be enjoying her new Life with the Lord in her new home.

Leo Furnstahl, brother of Sisters Therese and Ann died last Friday. His funeral is in Pine River on Friday.  May the Lord be with them and give them the strength they need these days.  May he be with the Lord and have joy in his new home in heaven.

My heart sank lower and lower last evening as we traveled to Melrose and saw all the farm fields under water or with big puddles in them.  I hope the seeds don’t rot before they take root.  My prayer is that God give us favorable weather for a good growing season…starting now.

Saturday night we had a group, Have Fun Biking, stay overnight in the gym at St. Francis Center.  They bike for fun…no fund-raising involved.  They decided that it  would be best to stay inside, rather than  outside, because of rain in the forecast...and it did rain! The group of 14, was considerably smaller than usual because of all the rain we had recently.  They were enjoying the scenery from Park Rapids to Big Lake, MN.  For more information see:  HaveFunBiking.com or Russ@HaveFunBiking.com.

The Bloodmobile will be here next week, June 18 and 19 (1 to 8 p.m. and Friday the 19^th (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)  There is always much need for blood.  Set the time apart to donate.  Call for an appointment, 632-2981 and ask for Sr. Julien.

St. Francis Music Center is still taking registrations for music lessons.  Classes begin today, but students can still register.  St. Francis Music Center is a Community School for the arts.  There are lessons for piano, organ, guitar, bass guitar, banjo, percussion, voice, viola, cello and bass.  There are also classes in gymnastics for ages 3 and older.  The U Rock summer camp for Middle and High School students begin July 26^th.  These bands  will play at the Green Fair Folk Festival on August 7^th. For more information call 320-632-0637.

Last week Second Floor Clare Residence had an open house to show off the new things there.  One thing to see was the newly remodeled open lounge area near the Nurse’s Station.  The wall features a beautiful painting of an eagle by deceased Sister Cordy Bloch.  Also, new were the lovely shadow boxes at each room door, also in honor of Sr. Cordy and put together by her sister, Sr. Loretta.

The Chamber of Commerce sponsors “Business After Hour” several times a year.  Last week one of the businesses featured Gold Cross Ambulance.  They had on display a new ambulance which is an emergency room on wheels.  WOW all the things the EMTs can do in there is amazing!  And beside the new ambulance was a restored version of an ambulance of yesteryear.  Amazing to see, too.

I stopped at Pine Grove Park last week, too. I was too late to see the height of the trilliums in bloom.  I found only a couple flowers that still looked beautiful. I stopped at the dam, too.  There is a lot of water going over the spillway and through the open gates.

Some of us drivers will be taking Drivers road tests later this week. On Thursday Erin Bonito will be doing an in-service for the Nursing Staff during the day and in the evening a presentation for the Sisters.  Her topic has to do with memory loss and respectful care for those who have memory loss.

Girls Camp is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.  We are expecting 29 girls.  No matter the weather, they will have a good time.  But, we would like a couple sunny days so they can sleep in their tents in Assisi Park.  The BIG tent was set up on Monday.

This weekend, (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) the City of Little Falls will have their 10^th Dam Festival activities.  Most things happen in Maple Island Park.  There are activities for everyone.  I always like the Fireworks on Saturday at 10 p.m.  Come and enjoy.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all Fathers living and deceased.  May God bless and continue to care for them.

Peace and blessings,                                                                                                                                                    Sister Mary Lou

Celebrations!

We are well in the second full week of August already!

From all my years in the Catholic school system, I think in terms of the beginning of the School Year. It is coming soon. God bless all the teachers and students as they prepare for the new school year. I again look forward to reading to First Graders at Lindbergh School.

Well, we’ve had some very busy days around here. The first of two BIG events were on Saturday, the Feast of ST. Clare and the commissioning of the Franciscan Community Volunteers. Each of the six volunteers has a praying Sister. Shannon is my young woman, a wonderful lady. I gave her a journal and a little gift of two pins of little green turtles wrapped in green paper, in a green cloth bag. Later I found out that green is her favorite color and turtles are her favorite animal! One day I showed Shannon a picture on my camera of the little girl dancing at the Green Fair. Yesterday she gave me a drawing of that little girl. WOW!

Then Saturday evening we had a special Evening Prayer for the 25th and 50th Jubilarians followed by a festive dinner…then a slide program showing pictures of their lives. Sister Michelle’s Uncle and Aunt came from Texas by way of New Mexico, Idaho, Colorado, Banff and Jasper, Canada, North and South Dakota and other states. They travelled on a 3-wheel motorcycle and have been on the road for six weeks. Anyway, after dinner on Saturday, they gave me a ride on their machine. What fun!

Sunday we celebrated our Silver and Golden Jubilarians. Many family members and friends were here for the event. The Mass was a great celebration with lots of music and many instruments. For me one of the highlights was to have the composer of the first and last songs at the piano…Kathy Tisel Nelson. She and Father Anthony, also, beautifully harmonized in singing the Blessing of St. Clare toward the end of Mass. It was a great way to show honor and glory to a God who greatly loves us. The one picture shows how you can best handle too much visiting and talking!

Yesterday Larry Anderson, from Morris, MN, brought us a pickup load of vegetables from his garden. He brought 3 boxes of cantaloupe, 3 boxes of peppers and 10 boxes (582 pounds) of cabbages. In a week or so Sr. Ruth will be very busy making sauerkraut! God bless you and thank your, Larry, for this generous gift. We will keep you in our prayers. Today Larry is having foot surgery in the St. Cloud hospital. Let us keep him in our prayers for complete and quick healing.


At the EnLUNCHment this noon I will be talking about the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO). Fifteen years ago, I would have been finished after two sentences. Now I know a lot about the SFO’s and will give a longer presentation.

Saturday and Sunday we are hosting for the first time, a meeting for the GFWC (General Federation of Women’s Clubs). May your meetings be good and may you find this a good place to meet.

The weather forecast talks about rains today, tonight and tomorrow. We are grateful. May the rains be gentle and free from severe storms.


Peace and blessings,
Sister Mary Lou

It's been a busy July...

Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Franciscan Feast of the Canonization of Saint Francis, July 16, 1228, two years after Francis’ death

Here I am again! I wrote a blog on July 2nd and then forgot to forward the attachment to Kari. In that blog I said I’d be gone July 3 – 8 for a meeting of Secular Franciscans in Skokie, IL, north of Chicago. The meeting is called a “Quinquennial” (“Q” for short) because it happens once every five years. It was an excellent gathering. There were over 600 Franciscans in attendance. Sister Ilia Delio, OSF was one of the many speakers. My heart is filled with gratitude for having had the opportunity to attend.

We had a retreat for 50 Sisters here from July 7 – 13. Sister Jolynn Brehm, FSPA was the presenter. Those who attended, really appreciated the input and prayer times.

The big news of the past weeks was the sudden and unexpected death of Sister Mary Maristell Schanen , age 93, on Friday July 6th. We’ve known her health was failing these past couple months. But, her sudden death came as a surprise to all us. I had her as my Sophomore English teacher at St. Francis High School in 1950—51. She was a Franciscan Sister for 63 years. Sr. Maristell’s funeral was Friday, July 13th. Because of her many mission experiences, she had friends everywhere.

Friday night/Saturday morning was the 19th Annual Morrison County Relay for Life event held at the Community High School track and the Community Middle School. There were 34 teams and 389 walkers. Last year they raised over $146,000. This year they raised over $150,000. WOW! That is a LOT of money! The 2012 Committee and teams are to be commended for their work. The Franciscan Sisters donated cookies for the walkers. There was not a sound from the bleachers during Steve Emblom’s talk about his ongoing journey with cancer. The 10 p.m. talk by Greg Zilka was held inside the Middle School…again, very intent listening to the story of his journey with cancer. The Luminaria Ceremony and lighting of the MANY Luminiaria bags was not held because the bags got soaked in the 5:30 p.m. downpour. Later the skies cleared and the walking outside continued. One hundred eighty-five persons died of cancer in Morrison County last year.

Last evening, 15th, Sestri, a Woman’s Slavic Chorus gave a beautiful concert in our Chapel, to a very receptive audience. I got to chapel about 6:40 and there were only two of us there. By 7 p.m. the place was full. The 18 ladies sang 16 songs from the countries of Macedonia, Bulgaria and Croatia. Celo, the director, accompanied them on a drum for a few songs. “Sestri” means “sisters.” They will be doing a concert at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis on July 29th at 3 p.m. If you are in the area, go attend a great musical experience.

On July 14th, MANY of our Sisters were part of the 300 Sisters at St Ben’s for the Conference for Women Religious of Region 11 LCWR. The title of the two talks by Professor Richard Gaillardetz was, “Renewal of Our Call as Members of a Vatican II Church.” He is presently the vice-president of the Catholic Theological Society of America. We all came away very enriched by the content of his talks and our small group discussions. A day well spent.

Thursday we will host a large reunion group of nurses and students from the now closed Breckenridge School of Nursing and St. Francis Hospital. Each year a number of nurses have had this reunion. This year it is being held here at St. Francis Convent so some of our Sisters who taught there can also visit their students, classmates and co-workers.

Girls Camp, the last week of June, was another great success. Thirty girls attended and had a wonderful time. And it appeared that the staff also had a good time. Sister Sharon’s cooking is always a treat.

This lovely statue of Jesus and the Children was donated Kevin Brown and will soon find its way to the Peace Garden.

The Community Gardens are beautiful. Lots of garden produce out there and some has already been harvested. With the heat and lack of rain, it is good that there is water available for the gardeners’ use.

Yesterday I attended the graduation party for the wife of a teacher I hired 24 years ago when I was principal at St. Michael’s Parish School in St. Michael, MN. She worked to get her husband and two children through collage and now went back herself to get her degree in Business Management and Elementary Education. I am so proud of her…and Mike is still teaching at the Parish School.

I don’t know what the high temperature got today. It was still 95 when I was outside at 6:30 p.m. Anyway, I thought of Father Ray Donnay’s short seven word sermon on a very hot summer Sunday morning some years ago; “It’s hot. Hell is hotter. Be good.” I say: “Amen” to that.

Let us pray for needed rain and for protection from storms and violent weather.

Peace and blessings, Sister Mary Lou

So many things...

Ever so many things to write about. I’m not going to even try to keep them in chronological order. The last blog had the title “The Rains are Wonderful.” Well, yes, they were for us around here with all our sandy soil. We had about 4 inches in about as many days, and it caused us no problems. But let us pray for and help those in the Duluth area and their neighbors to the south who have had so much flood damage. The Mississippi River here is really high and will get higher in the next few days. Fort Ripley is about 15 miles north of Little Falls and the river there is a couple feet over flood stage now. In a day or two that water will get to Little Falls.


We had a blood drive June 19th, 20th and 21st. Our goal for the three days was 225 units. We were blessed by many donors and went over the goal by 5 units. May God bless all those generous donors. They are human life-savers!

On the 23rd we celebrated three Sisters who have been members of our Franciscan Community for 75 years! That’s a long time! Sisters Joel, Sylvia and Antonette had a wonderful day. We are proud of them for their many years of being Franciscan Sisters and for all the people they’ve served in those many years. The presiders at the Mass were Sister Sylvia’s two nephews Fathers Jerry and Leroy Schik. Sr. Marcella would have celebrated her 80th anniversary, but she died in April. So we remembered her, too.

Saturday there was a Peace Rally at Maple Island Park. My brother from Cohasset brought his Peace Float. There were three very interesting speakers. The Raging Grannies sang and also the Sestri Singers from our St. Francis Music Center performed.

This week for three days, we have the Girls Campers here. The 29 girls and Sister assistants seem to be having a good time. This afternoon they painted their t-shirts. They are very colorful. Tonight they are tenting in Assisi Park. Sr. Sharon is doing all the cooking for them over a camp fire.

One afternoon four young people from the Youth in Theology and Ministry Program at St. John’s University in Collegeville came to tell us about the programs they started and did during the past year in their home parishes. A year ago these young people took a couple weeks of theology classes and talked about something they could do in their home parishes. Then they did their projects and told us about what they accomplished. I was so proud of how poised they were in their presentations and the good work they did for their local Churches. They showed great leadership skills. We, Franciscan Sisters, help support this program.

The Feast of the Sacred Heart was Friday, June 15th. That is the name of our Chapel. At the Mass that day we sang some of our favorite Sacred Heart songs from long ago. Sr. Joel fixed a lovely shrine in the sanctuary. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Sunday, I was in Coon Rapids for a SFO Visitation. On the way home I stopped in St. Cloud to see the Clemen’s and Munsinger Gardens. What wonderful pieces of beauty each garden is. I try to make it there at least once each summer. Just to walk around in all that beauty is a peaceful experience.

Peace and all Good to you.
Sister Mary Lou

June is time for Community Gatherings

Many things to write about.

Saturday we had the Funeral for Sister Eileen Theis. Many Family and Sisters present for a great send-off for her. May she be enjoying life to the fullest with Jesus. God bless you, Sister Eileen. We are depending on you to pray for us now, too.

From Friday afternoon to Sunday I was at Secular Franciscan Order meetings in Buffalo, MN. Saturday evening we had a prayer service for all who had died since our meeting a year ago. We had 9 Sisters who went to heaven in the last year. Each Fraternity and each religious community lit one candle for their deceased members.

Much activity around here getting ready for Community Days next week when all the sisters will be here for meetings starting Sunday evening and going on through supper on Wednesday. There are many bulletin boards set up with information for us to read. One almost needs a check-list to make sure some were not forgotten. I have not yet started the ones in the Gathering Space of Chapel.

But, first, on Sunday morning we will celebrate the seven sisters who have been in Community for 60 years. Congratulations Sisters Phyllis Hennek, Colette Toenies, Pat Zangs, Elise Saggau, Maurita Bernet , Helen Hassler and Anita Jennissen.

On May 29th we had a prayer service in celebration of the Sisters’ many works and ministries. Plans were to have it outside by the Our Lady of the Highways Shrine. But because it was so windy and chilly we moved into Chapel. On Sunday, June 3, there was a Celebrate the Sisters Service of Gratitude, Grace and Support for Sisters Service at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud, MN. My guesstimate was that there were over 300 present for the event. The songs, testimonials, and litany of intercessions were all beautiful. To me the most touching part was after we were all standing for the intercessions, the leader asked all those who were not Sisters to sit down and sing a blessing over the many Sisters who were present. Thank you to the Planning Committee Members. We Sisters are grateful for your support.

Last night we watched a video, Not My Life, on Human Trafficking. It was had to watch because of the inhuman ways so many humans are treated. The definition of trafficking is: Slavery is a social and economic relationship in which the person is controlled through violence or threat of violence, is paid nothing and is economically exploited. A few facts: 80% of international victims are women and girls..50% of international victims are children…$32 billion: total yearly profits generated by human trafficking industry.

The next Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for June 19-21.

We have a Girls’ Camp going on June 26-28. That will be a lot of excitement. Please pray for a dry few days. Last year, I believe, they had to some adjusting of the schedule because of the rains.

Please pray for us the days of our meetings—June 10 through 13th. Thank you.

Peace and God bless you.
Sister Mary Lou

Today is sunny and bright

How can it be that we start the month of June tomorrow! Today is sunny and bright and I love it. We had about an inch and a half of rain over the past weekend. The Mississippi River is really moving right along now! A few weeks ago, I saw rocks at the bottom of the dam that I’d never seen before. They are talking about flooding north of Little Falls. We won’t have any here. May we continue to have sufficient rain during the growing season…free of damaging storms.

We have had many events happen since I last wrote my blog. Tuesday evening Sister Eileen Theis, age 84, went to heaven. Her Wake will be tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. and her Funeral will be Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the Motherhouse Chapel. May she be enjoying Life with the Lord. God bless you, Sr. Eileen, for all the good you’ve done your many years as a Franciscan Sister.

Tuesday evening, also, our Employees, Associates, Volunteers, friends, family members and supporters had a prayer service “Celebrating the Sisters.” They extended gratitude to the Sisters for their many ways of ministering both here in Little Falls and throughout the world. They sang a blessing over us. It was a most meaningful service and brought tears to the eyes of many of us. Thank You.

Sunday, I attended the 17th Memorial Service at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley. This cemetery opened in 1994 and already has over 4,300 burials there. The Richfield Symphonic Band adds a very special touch with their beautiful music. I am always touched during the laying of the Wreaths and to see the veterans stand when their branch is called. This Cemetery is one of the top four most beautiful Veterans Cemeteries in the nation. Thank you, Veterans for your service to our country. We remember you.

May 24th, was Graduation for the Continuing Education Center. This program takes place at what used to be St. Francis High School—ground floor and one room on 1st floor. Their class motto is “Remember yesterday, Dream for tomorrow, Live for today!" A good motto for each of us. There were 16 graduates this year. Birchell Renae Brummer received the scholarship from the Franciscan Sisters.

Last week we also had an afternoon treat of Banana Splits to celebrate our Senior Sisters—That’s nearly everyone who is on Campus!

The St. Francis Music Center had a recital of their little dancers. They are so cute and they had such a fun time performing their little recital pieces.

Half a dozen Sentence to Serve men came one day to pull rhubarb. And the next couple day Sisters were busy cutting the rhubarb and getting it ready for freezing. I saw many 5-gallon pails heading toward the freezer. Long after the rhubarb growing season is over, we will continue to have tasty rhubarb desserts.

Sr. Ruth had a plant sale. Many happy customers stopped by to get her beautiful tomato plants.

God bless you. Travel safely. Sister Mary Lou