December  6, 2017

Happy Feast of Saint Nicholas.  He came to visit us in the dining room this noon and gave us each a little bag of peanuts…a nice little treat.  I remember him coming to our home when we were children.  There would be a big racket on the porch, but when we went to look there was no one there, but we’d find a bag of peanuts and apples & oranges in the wood box.

There are many activities come up in the next couple weeks. On Sunday December 10^th at 2 p.m. the St. Francis Community Chorale will present their Christmas Blessings, Concert in Sacred Heart Chapel.  There will be a reception in St. Francis Hall.  This group is directed by Barb Stumpf.

The other noon, Jeff and a group of ladies did an enlunchment presentation, telling us about the work a group of them did wile in Haiti.  I am always impressed by the great works volunteers do both in our own country and in other countries.  Thank you for sharing your faith by putting it into action.

On Friday, December 15^th at 7 p.m. the St Francis Chorale and Chamber Orchestra will give a concert, Joyful Yuletide, in Sacred Heart Chapel.  The concert is directed by Bobbi French.   

The Little Falls Lions Club will come for Christmas Caroling and pizza on Thursday, December 14^th from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in St. Francis Hall.

There will be a retirement party in the dining room for Jeff Odendahl at 2 p.m. on December 12^th.  Jeff has served as director of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation department for the past 13 years.  Thanks, Jeff, for a job well done.  We will miss you.  Do come back to visit.

Friday, December 8^th, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the patronal feast of our Community.  It will be a special day for us.  We will have Morning Prayer together at 8:15 followed with brunch.   At 11 a.m. we will have a festive Mass with lots of singing .  Following 4:15 Evening Prayer we will have a special dinner.  A little statistic:  We are 117 living Sisters and 338 deceased Sisters.

The Give to the Max collection was a little over a week ago.  From our generous donors our Community received over $54,000 to support our ministries.  Thank You.  We are grateful and we do pray for you.

We have a bit of snow on the roof tops but not enough on the ground to make mention of.  The temperate is cold—but I guess we should expect that since we are into December.

May your Advent days be peaceful (unstressful) as we get nearer to Christmas.

Peace and blessings,

Sister Mary Lou

February 20, 2017

PRESIDENTS” DAY.  Let us all pray for our president and all governmental leaders.  They need it.  We need it.

“Temps flirt with 60s” is the headline in today’s paper.  It’s hard to believe that is a February day.  One has to look hard to find a snow pile to find a snow pile anywhere.  I do believe we will still get another blast of winter weather.  And right now we have a steady rain.  I wonder when it will turn to snow.

Sister Donna finished this 1,000-piece puzzle last week.  It is a beauty.  Because of the irregular shape it took a little longer than usual to complete…but well worth the effort!

And here is another 1,000 piece puzzle that took a while to complete…and another beautiful work of art.

I’m reading the book The Crazy Quilt by Ruth Jesness Tweed and came across this little verse that says it well:

DON’T MOPE.

HOPE!

NO HOPE!

COPE!

CAN’T COPE!

MOPE!

My prayer for you, my readers, is that God bless and continue to care for you.

Peace.

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

Snow on the Roof Tops (in Spring), But I'm Not Complaining!

What a surprise to see snow on the roof tops yesterday morning. But I’m not complaining. We have not had our homes blown away and people killed by destructive tornados. I am sure farmers are concerned about getting their crops planted.

St. Francis Music Center presented two marvelous concerts in our Chapel the past few days. On Friday evening the St. Francis Community Chorale directed by Barb Stumpf, and the Sestri Choir directed by Celo V’ec sang their hearts out for our entertainment. These groups are sooooo good. Thank you, singers, for sharing your talents with us.

Saturday evening we served delicious spaghetti to about 360 hungry eaters. It was a festive evening and I am happy that we had such a fine turnout. Thank you.

Last night we had another wonderful group of friends and supporters for the Second Annual Taste of St. Cloud fundraiser for the Franciscan Community Volunteers dinner.

There were 15 participating restaurants serving delicious foods. I asked and found out that the Cold Spring Bakery brought 42 dozen little cupcakes for the event. That’s a lot of cupcakes! There were also 25 Silent Auction items. I think everyone was pleased with the evening activities. The event happened at the Territory Golf Course--Coyote Moon Grille east of St. Cloud.

This week the Housekeeping Department is being recognized and honored for their wonderful services. We started the week with a morning coffee break and fresh, still warm caramel rolls. What a treat. We commend this department for all their hard work in keeping our house clean and for all the set-up and take-down for the many activities we have going on at the Motherhouse every week—for example three big events Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Values and Activities Committees sponsor these recognition gatherings.

Thursday, April 5th, and the first Thursday of every month, we have a quiet hour of prayer, Taize Prayer, at 6 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel. Come and experience this contemplative prayer time.

Saturday, May 7th, the singing group From Age to Age will give a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel. We are so fortunate to have these great opportunities available to us.

Happy Mother’s Day to all Mothers, living and deceased. We are blessed with the gift of life because of you. Thank you for the love and sacrifices you’ve made for us. God bless you now and always.

A blessing for you “May knowledge of God become clearer in us that we may know the breadth of God’s blessings, the length of God’s promises, the height of God’s majesty, the depth of God’s judgments.”

Have a wonder-filled week.

Sister Mary Lou

February 21, 2011

Well, the dirty snow banks don’t show anymore! It was quite late in the day when the snow started here in Little Falls. And when it started it meant business! I pray for the safety of all who HAVE to be out in this kind of weather. I hope this blizzard doesn’t interfere with too many plans.

Saturday night at 11:18 p.m. our dear Sister Marguerite Barbeln, age 86, left us and went to heaven. Not too long ago she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and she chose not to seek treatment. She was a gentle and quiet person with a good sense of humor. She was very patient in her suffering and was so ready to meet the Lord. May she be enjoying life with the Lord. Sr. Marguerite, pray for us.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week we are having a furniture sale and clothing exchange. When I took this picture a few days ago, items were starting to collect. Many things will have new homes and many people will be happy with their new treasures.

This coming Saturday morning there will be a group of CCD students and parents at the Motherhouse for a tour. For many this is the first time they ever visited the Motherhouse.

We show them the Chapel and explain the large San Damiano Crucifix and it’s importance to us Franciscans. We also show them the Library and explain to them how we made the altar breads that become the Body of Jesus at Mass. This was a ministry our Sisters did for over 100 years. Now we no longer bake the wafers, but we order them and then distribute them to over 100 churches and hospitals, mostly in Minnesota. At the end of the tour the students usually go to the dining room for a little snack. They like that part, too.

This past weekend we had eleven couples here for the Marriage Encounter. Next weekend we will have a group from Anoka, MN here for a Stephen Ministry experience. That is such a good program to train parishioners to mentor those in need of a friend in tough times.

A couple times a year the Employees and Sisters serve a meal at Oasis Share-a-Meal at First Lutheran Church here in town. This is a free meal to any and everyone who comes to the Church. Usually it is about 60 people who come. It is a wonderful opportunity for good food and fellowship. Our kitchen staff makes the meal, with donations of ingredients from the Employees and Sisters. And then we go, too, to the Church to serve the meal. I have helped many times and it is a good experience.

I forgot one item that I had intended t o include in last week’s blog. On the opening night of our meetings a week ago, each of us received a lovely bronze medal of our Community Logo. The Tau Cross is in the center. St. Francis signed his name by using the Tau symbol.

God bless you and keep safe.

Sister Mary Lou

February 6, 2011

Bask in today’s temperatures in the 20 degree plus range, because tomorrow it is predicted to be 20 below zero in the morning! There is so much snow buildup on roads, parking lots and sidewalks. Though it is nothing like the picture my brother sent me of a road north of Dubuque, IA where the road is carved out of snow banks that are 2 or 3 times higher than the cars. That’s a lot of snow. I hope melting takes place slowly when spring comes.

Sister Mary Ann and I were suppose to go to Browns Valley for a SFO meeting today, but that got cancelled yesterday afternoon because of the rain, ice and snow they were having in the western part of the State. So today for me feels like a “snow day” like when I was teaching—a day when I can do things I hadn’t planned on doing—like writing my blog!

This is the week of our Legislative/Direction Setting part of our Delegate Assembly Meetings: from tonight’s opening with prayer at 6:30 in Chapel until after noon on Saturday. Most of the Sisters who are coming have arrived. Chapel was pretty full for Mass this morning…and the singing was full and resounding, too.

Judy and Julene from Archives put together a lovely six-bulletin-board display of some of the highlights of our Community over the past 120 years. We officially became the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, Little Falls, Minnesota, on March 1, 1891—120 years ago. Sister Mary Francis was elected the first Mother Superior of the Community on March 3, 1891. After a month the display will be set up in Archives for the coming year. Since I’ve been a member of the Community nearly half that time, I remember lots of the things shown.

Last night we had our Soup Supper. I don’t know how many people came, but Terry B. said we served a lot of soup! Guests could also purchase loaves of fresh home-made bread to take home with them. It is always great to see and hear Sisters and guests having a good time sharing memories. (Last year the Soup Supper was cancelled because of a blizzard.) April 16 is the date for the next Spaghetti Supper.

Sister Grace is here from our Mexico Mission and is staying at our house during the time of our meetings. On Friday five of her nine sisters came to visit. Now that was a good time!

Friday morning, Sister Celine was busy decorating cookies for Valentine’s Day…trays and trays of cookies. What a good treat awaits us.

We have four guest Sisters staying at our house this week, so it is exciting with all the visiting and activity.

God bless you and please keep us in your prayers this week. Thank you.

Sister Mary Lou

February 2, 2011

Feast of the Presentation

And, also Groundhog Day.

As I write this, the sun is shining and the temp is minus 10 degrees…no wind chill.

I noticed on my calendar this morning that today starts the Frostbite Festival in Fergus Falls and is Winter Frolics in Two Harbors. They will have the cold and snow they celebrate. I heard on the radio that is was minus 44 wind chill in Morris this morning. I’d not feel bad if we didn’t get another flake of snow this winter, but I doubt that will happen.

Saturday evening, February 5th, we will have the Soup Supper from 4:30 to 7 p. m. We will have chicken wild rice, beef barley vegetable and tomato tortellini soups along with fresh baked cracked wheat and white bread, bars and beverages. Hope you can come. Today Sister Julien and Terry will be on the Party Line radio program this morning to talk about the Supper.

Last Sunday afternoon several of us Sisters attended the Pro-Life Dinner and program at the Falls Ballroom. The program and speakers were interesting to listen to, and the food as usual, was very good. There were about 400 persons in attendance. When I think of pro-life, I also include all life issues, not only the abortion issue.

Yesterday three of us former teachers went to Pierz to visit students at Holy Trinity School as they celebrate Catholic Schools Week. That week was always my favorite week of the year. It was a lot of work, but so much fun. I visited the two Kindergarten classrooms. I talked with the students, read them a story, told them a Bible story and treated them to a cookie and gave them a little gift. It was a fun time for me.

Next week we will have Legislative/Direction-Setting Meetings of the Delegate Assembly from Sunday evening through Saturday (February 6-12th). April 8-10 we will have the Election Session of the Delegate Assembly when we will elect new leadership Sisters for our Community. June 12th we will have Installation of New Leadership. Please keep us in prayer these important days.

Keep warm and safe.

Peace and blessings,

Sister Mary Lou