January 10, 2011

The Christmas decorations are all put away—almost. I was so happy that everything was boxed up and back on the shelf. The next day I saw two items that missed the packing! Has that ever happened to you? All the poinsettias are still vibrant and full. They last a long time. More snow is predicted in the next few days.

The new Memory Care Unit at Clare Residence is shaping up very nicely. Walter has been very busy painting bedrooms, hallways and the dining room in lovely pastel colors. The first Sisters will be moving into the area this week. Since January 6th, the area is staffed with staff who have had training/experience working in a memory care area. May God bless this new effort of our Community to care for our Sisters who have memory challenges. There is a little Chapel with a TV so the Sisters can participate in the Mass from our Sacred Heart Chapel over closed circuit TV. Holy Communion is brought to all those unable to come to Chapel.

The other event of this week is that the bloodmobile will be here Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The hours Wednesday and Thursday are 1 to 7 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This activity takes place in St. Francis Hall—the big room under Chapel.

One of my Christmas cards had the following message: “Be a beacon of hope for all those whose lives are troubled…” This is a fitting thing to remember especially after the shootings Saturday in Tucson. Let us pray for all whose lives are affected by violence.

That’s it for this week.

Peace and blessings,

Sister Mary Lou

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

January 5, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR May God bless you and continue to care for you all through 2011. The old year ended with 8/10s inch of rain last Thursday and 1 ½ inches of snow on Friday. A high temperature of 35 degrees on Thursday turned to very cold on Friday and Saturday. Roads and sidewalks are icy, so walking very mindfully is a very good idea.

I am most grateful for my walker, but always I have to sweep off my wheels when I go inside.

The old year went out with a 24-hour time of prayer for peace and a holy-hour on December 31st, Blessed are the Peacemakers Prayer service. “It was a time to reflect upon the gift and power of peace: its place in the heart of Jesus’ message and its importance in the world we live in.” The prayer service was based on the Beatitudes and the words of St. Francis. My prayer for us is: “O God as we begin a new year, help us to be bringers of peace to all those with whom we are called to share life, whether at home, at work, in our relationships or in brief encounters. Fill us with the renewed conviction that we CAN make a difference in our world and through our efforts to live peacefully.”

And the day after New Year’s Day was the Feast of Epiphany, the Feast of the Three Kings. Here is a picture of a crib set with the Kings in attendance (one below also).

On January 2nd we had our Sisters’ Christmas celebration. We had evening prayer followed by a social hour and special dinner. Sister Julien carved the roast. After the meal we had a sing-along. Sr. Maurita played guitar. It was a relaxing and fun evening.

The line of walkers is a common sight in the dining room or chapel or wherever we are gathered.

On Friday we will again have another Bilingual Eucharist. This time we are honoring Felipe and Maria Barreda, a couple martyred for their Catholic Faith, on January 7, 1983. They were an ordinary couple, devoted to God, who raised a family of six children and who worked hard at their trade. While picking coffee beans they were attacked on December 28th and endured unbelievable torture. Throughout their cruel treatment they continued to respond with prayer and refusals to betray their Christian Faith. God bless them for their example of fidelity to the Faith.

God bless you and keep you safe.

Sister Mary Lou