Relationships matter most in my life…I get what I give

This is a winter we will remember for a while. It is 1 p.m., as I type this. With the sun shining on the thermometer, it is “zero.” Actually it is minus 14 and that will be about the high for today. I know of only one school in Minnesota that is open today—Bemidji University. With the sun out, it looks beautify—all that white sparkly snow everywhere! Only the tips of the orange poles to mark the driveway edges are sticking out. Have hope. Spring is only 52 days away…if that means anything.

The Morrison Tree of Lights campaign for Unity Family Hospice raised $9,470 this past December. What a help for those in need of hospice services. They do a wonderful service. My parents and us siblings benefited from that ministry. We are grateful.

The political process for up-coming elections begins with Precinct Caucus meetings on Tuesday February 4th. Here in Little Falls meetings are at the Middle School and start at 7 p.m. If we want change, it starts here locally.

Martin Luther King, Jr Days speaker at the public schools was Marty Martinson. I thought the three keys to happiness were good for everyone. They are: 1) Relationships matter most in my life…I get what I give. 2) You know, in life you got to try a little harder. 3) People need to decide to be happy.

This week is Catholic Schools Week—the 40th one--a week dear to my heart, having worked in Catholic Schools for nearly 50 years. It was always the funnest” week of the year. The theme this year is: Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service. God bless parishes, staff, parents and all associated with Catholic Education. You are in my prayers. You do a great job.

Ground Hogs Day is next Sunday. I don’t need Punxsutawney Phil’s shadow to tell me about six more weeks of winter. We've had winter a long time already. Zion Lutheran Church is having a “Groundhog Feed” to support the Food Shelf on the 2nd, if you are interested.

I go to Lindbergh School about once a week to read to First Graders in Mrs. Hanson’s room. Friday when there, I asked her to take a picture of me with the class…one nice picture and one “goofy” picture. They are a great group of students. Enjoy.

This Thursday evening we are having Employee Recognition meal and awards. We have wonderful employees and some have worked here many years. Thank you for your dedicated services.

Saturday, February 1st is our Soup Supper fundraiser from 4:30 to 7 p.m. They are busy in the kitchen making lots of soups – so far, 30 gallons of two kinds of soups. I pray for favorable weather and a good crowd, or we will be eating lots of soup for a long time!

The Super Bowl weekend is the biggest time for sex-trafficking. Please pray for victims and perpetrators of this crime.

Stay safe and warm.

Peace and blessings,
Sister Mary Lou

We are growing some pretty big snow piles

January 21, 2014

We’re in the deep freeze again today. At 6 a.m. today, it was minus 23. It will warm us slightly today and then we will get a couple inches of new snow. We have a small three-foot evergreen tree planted on the north side of Clare Residence. With all the snow just the top two inches are above the snow. One more snowfall and the little tree will disappear until springtime! We are growing some pretty big snow piles at the ends of parking lots. At our cemetery all the grave markers are totally covered with snow.

Retreat last week with Father John Quigley, OFM, was great. Each of the twice-a-day conferences gave us plenty to reflect upon. I need to go back and re-listen to the disc of a couple taped conferences.

Then what does one say about the two women whose funerals we had on Saturday and Monday…each one a holy woman who served and ministered to God’s people in tremendous ways…Sister Lydia in her gentle works of teaching, music and hospitality at St. Francis Center, etc. And Sister Elizabeth (Kizzie) in her teaching, missionary and Humane Borders ministry by bring water to immigrants crossing the desert. Each Sister had many family and friends here to celebrate their gift of life. I learned so much about each one in the stories that were told about each. God bless you Sisters and intercede for us in our needs. Below are some pictures from Sr. Lydia’s display.

And here are some pictures from Sr. Kizzie’s display.

From what it looks like, to me, the rest of the week will be kind of quiet…and that is just fine with all of us.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, we have a Bilingual Liturgy at 11 a.m.

On Saturday, February 1st, we have our Soup Supper. Three kinds of soups will be served. They are: Chicken Wild Rice, Beef Barley and Beans and Ham. Other menu items are: Fresh homemade cracked wheat or white bread, bars and beverages. Nothing can beat hot soup on a cold night (when you don’t have to cook or wash dishes!) So, plan on joining us between 4:30 and 7 p.m. at St. Francis Convent.

Keep warm and safe. Peace and blessings,
Sister Mary Lou