It's a sign of Spring

It feels like SPRING outside. I like it! Now I’m waiting for the first dandelion.

This is National Catholic Sisters Week. God bless all Catholic Sisters and the MANY good woks Sisters do every day. We serve many people each day and MANY people serve us each day, too! Thank you.

At 9 a.m. on Thursday we will have an Appreciation Treat in the dining room to celebrate Sisters. It was a nice surprise to see that note on the weekly bulletin. I plan on being there.

Fourteen members of the Benton County Home Ec. Committee were guests at St. Francis Center over the weekend. This was the 18th year these ladies have been coming for a busy weekend of sewing. Two of the projects they were working on were of particular interest to me. Some ladies were making cloth bowls…very lovely. One lady was making what is called a “Calendar Quilt.” I had never seen anything like this…very beautiful and oh so intricate. (And I would never attempt that project.) The ladies are so happy and eager to show their work. Thanks, ladies. The Fourteen sewers all had very colorful lips and called themselves “KISS” for Keep it Simple, Sisters.” Five of the ladies were blood sisters.

Sister Michelle led a Lenten Day of Reflection on Saturday. The theme of the day was: “The Lenten Journey: Preparing our Hearts for Love.” There were about 60 people in attendance. It was a great day. Thanks, Sr. Michelle.

COACT (Citizens Organized Acting Together) met here on Saturday. This group focuses on Social Justice Issues. Sister Ruth is a member.

March is Food Shelf Drive month. Every department has a container for donations. Thanks to all generous donors.

Wednesday evening (6:30 p.m.) is Sr. Elise’s third and last presentation: “Lent: A Sacramental Journey into Easter.” Sr. Elise is such a good presenter and her material is so uplifting. We have about 60 people attending each evening…and that does not include all the Sisters watching on closed-circuit TV.

The Red Cross Blood Mobile will be here Tuesday, March 31 (1 to 7 p.m.), Wednesday April 1st (1 to 7 p.m.) and Thursday, April 2nd (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Donating blood would be a great Holy Week activity.

There is always a puzzle on the Mail Room table for folks to work on. Here, Sr. Joel is intently looking for the “just right piece.” Many Sisters and Employees enjoy being able to find at least one piece to fit into the picture.

In Chapel last week one day, the dead branches all sprouted big pussy willows…another sure sign of spring. A week ago, I posted a picture of the so-called dead branches. And now in a week they are filled with fuzzy pussy willows! I am always so amazed at how nature works.

Peace and blessings to you this Third Week of Lent.
Sister Mary Lou

Spring is around the corner

Sounds like the “lion” of March will come tonight and be out of here by noon tomorrow. We are 30 inches below average in snow so far this year. Last week, Sr. Donna just finished putting this 1,000 piece puzzle together. Since snow is forecast for tonight, I decided this was a good time to publish the picture.

Yesterday was a special day for us. It was our Founding Day…the day we became the “Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of Little Falls, Minnesota.” That title was later shortened to “Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota” because the other title was too long for the computer. At least that’s the story I heard. Bishop Donald Kettler came to preside at our 11 a.m. Mass and then joined us for a festive dinner.

Later in the afternoon, I went out to the cemetery to thank the 12 Sisters buried there for founding our Community 124 years ago. We claim 16 founding Sisters, but only twelve are buried here. Four are buried in Rock Island, Illinois. Early in our history, they went to Rock Island to start a hospital and then they just stayed there and started a new community. And again, that is how I remember the story.

The three dwellings pictured here are the first homes the Sisters lived in. The log cabin is in Bell Prairie. The Slab Shanty was on our campus and the Sisters lived in it until Hurrle Hall was constructed.

Last Wednesday, our Dining Adventure was Washington State. We had halibut and salmon as two of the foods from that area.

On Wednesday, Sr. Elise will have the second of her three Lenten presentations. “Lent: A Sacramental Journey into Easter” is this week’s topic.

Thursday is Taize Prayer at 6 p.m.

Stations of the Cross are at 3:30 on Friday.

Saturday from 9 to about 3 p.m. is the Lenten Reflection Day. The presenter is Sister Michelle L’Allier. You are invited to join us.

March 8 to 14 is National Catholic Sister’s Week. Let us praise God and thank the Sisters who have done so much service throughout the world—for the glory of God. I am grateful for my vocation--for my calling to the Little Falls Franciscan Community.

Remember to “spring the clock ahead” sometime before Sunday Morning.

Blessings on you and those you love during this second week of Lent.
Sister Mary Lou