Praise God for our many blessings

Happy Spring. We, here in Little Falls, missed out on the rain that some places got yesterday. (We had a quick little spirt of one one-hundredth of an inch of rain.) It has been VERY windy. A few more flowers are poking their heads out of the ground and some of the trees are showing lots of leaf buds. Praise God for these blessings.

Last week we had Community meetings from Tuesday through Friday. It is always good for all us Sisters to get together and share our combined wisdom. In early October, we’ll do it once again.

The Wednesday evening “Celebrating the Sisters” prayer service, brought many of us Sisters near to tears by the readings, the songs, the affirmations and the prayers that were said for us Sisters…signs of love and appreciation for us and the works we've done and continue to do. The Chapel was full of Relatives, Friends Employees, Associates and Volunteers all praying for and with us. We started out with the reading of Pope Francis’ letter to all Consecrated People on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life. The Mary of Lourdes Elementary School Choir, the Mary of Lourdes Middle School Choir and the Holly Family Parish Choir furnished music. Fr. Joe Herzing offered the opening prayer. The dining room was filled with guests and Sisters enjoying great refreshments. Thank you so much Geri and all who helped with the events of the evening. We are grateful.

Saturday about 50 Secular Franciscans from the Queen of Peace Region were here for their Spring Retreat. The morning speaker was a lady who had been in Human Trafficking /Sex Trafficking business for many years. She is now out and helping others who want to get out and be free. For more information check out her website: www.gracemariesong.com

One of our Brainerd Secular Franciscans, Ed Feiler, died very suddenly Saturday evening. His funeral will be next Monday. Eternal Life give to him, O Lord. May he live in God’s Presence forever. Peace, blessings, strength and courage to his wife, Pat, and their family.

This is Severe Weather Awareness Week (April 13 through 17th.) We will be taking part in the state-wide tornado drill an Thursday. At 1:45 the “Black Alert” message will be given and that alerts everyone to head to the tunnel for their safety. We always pray for safety, but it is still necessary to do the drill so in the event of a tornado we know what to do and where to go.

Tuesday through Thursday, the Nursing Leadership Symposium (formerly Directors of Nursing Training) will be meeting in St. Francis Hall. We expect 25 to 30 participants. Approximately 15 will be staying in the newly renovated St. Francis Center Third Floor Guest Rooms. They will be back again in May, July and August.

Saturday, April 18th, is our Spaghetti supper from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Come join us for a delicious meal.

Sunday, April 19th, 2:00 p.m., St. Francis Music Center presents its Spring Orchestra Concert in Sacred Heart Chapel with a reception to follow in St. Francis Hall. I promise you, you will hear GREAT music.

God bless you.

Pax et Bonum. (Peace and all Good.) (The greeting St. Francis liked to use.)
Sister Mary Lou

Alleluia! The Lord is Risen!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The Lord is Risen! May the blessings of Easter continue to be with us as we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Here are a few pictures from here in Little Falls.

Choir practice is always necessary. Here is Sr. Jean doing a last minute polishing toward perfection…and if there are little blips, no one else would notice anyhow.

Holy Thursday evening we had Adoration until 10 p.m. In the front row sat 99 year-old Sr. Fabian. Sr. Bernice Ebner said it best: “If a 99-year-old Sister can pray until 10 p. m., then surely I can pray that long, too!”

Friday morning started out with Hot Cross Buns for breakfast (a tradition here.)

Friday morning we had the Silent Walk for Peace. What a wonderful witness by about 40 people to walk silently through the down-town area of Little Falls: stopping at St. Gabriel’s Hospital, a Funeral Home, the Jail, the Courthouse, Bank Square, the Mississippi River Bridge and Dam, Veterans Memorial, Maple Island Park, First United Church, St. Francis Center, Hurrle Hall, Alverna Apartments and St. Otto’s Nursing Home. We prayed for the sick and dying, the dead and those who morn them, law enforcement officers, the imprisoned, immigrants, and refugees, judges, the reordering of financial institutions, Veterans and military personnel, those who care for Mother Earth, for unity among Churches, students and the elderly. It is an impressive sight.

Later we had Stations of the Cross in Chapel and also outside. It was cold, but about 15 hearty people joined us outside. Then at 2 p.m. we had the Good Friday Liturgy.

Holy Saturday Liturgy started at 8 p.m. Many guests joined us in prayer and then for the social time afterward in St. Francis Hall.

With my camera in hand, I went hunting for signs of spring. I did find several brave little flowers on the east side of Mary Hall and in protected areas. With rain, sleet and snow forecast these coming days this week, those little flowers may wish they had not come out so soon.

Our Blood drive last week was very successful. We received 242 units of blood—and another 27 people came and could not give blood. A BIG “Thank You” to all who came and to those who volunteered their time and services. You truly give the gift of life.

This week, starting today and going through suppertime on Friday we Sisters have “Discerning Our Future” meetings. Please pray for us and the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we make decisions about our future. Thank you.

On Saturday, about a hundred Secular Franciscans will gather here for their spring Retreat.

Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday. May we always be mindful of the fact that God greatly loves us and has mercy on us when we mess-up. Let us depend on His Mercy and receive it graciously.

Again, Happy Easter. Alleluia
Sister Mary Lou