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Living the Gospel courageously . . . with energy, spirit, peace.Living the Gospel courageously . . . with energy, spirit, peace.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

The atmosphere for this year’s annual Donor Day, held September 22, was one of warmth and hospitality. From our records, 163 donors attended, slightly down from last year. There are so many moving parts to a full-day event and, oh, so many people to thank. Terry Bernardy, along with Nutritional Services staff and volunteers, served a delicious roast beef dinner. The meal was excellent and the service was grand. Thank you! Mass was lovely, and I thank Father Bob Kieff er for presiding, Sister Carol Schmit for the homily, Joan Wingert, the musicians and the sisters’ choir for the music, and the kind and gentle oversight from Sister Julien Dirkes and John Hacker, along with all the sisters who served as greeters, ushers and hostesses. Later, Sister Char Grossman set the stage for the program, which focused on St. Francis Music Center and St. Francis Health and Wellness. I so appreciated working with Wesley Waytashek and Robyn Gray on the presentation and heard comments that people, including some of the sisters, learned new things about the ministries. A bluegrass arrangement performed by Sisters Carolyn Law and Maurita Bernet, Bobbi French and student Peter Knopik was the perfect closing for the program. Sisters greeted and mingled with the guests beautifully, eager to visit and share that wonderful Franciscan hospitality. Thank you! See more photos on page four.

Donor Day 2019 . . . thanks all aroundElizabeth Rydeen, CRD

Above L-R: Russ Kadow, Toni Ebner, Ramona Kadow and Sister Michelle L'Allier

Below L-R: Richard Ruhoff , Holly Giese, Sister Marguerite Ostendorf, Sister Christelle Watercott and

Darlene Hennen

2 COMMUNITY NEWS • SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA

Members of the Christian/Muslim Dialogue Group of St. Cloud, which Sister Tonie Rausch helped start, wanted to do something to keep Sister Tonie’s memory alive. One idea was to plant a tree, but too many variables kept that from happening. Then a bright idea came to one of the members of the dialogue group: we could have people from various cultures cook their foods for a common meal. And the funds raised could be donated to a scholarship fund that would be given to a high school graduate from the immigrant, refugee or Native American population to help pay for social justice studies—all in Sister Tonie’s memory. The idea caught on and was put into action with the hope that if 60 people came, maybe $500 could be raised. The event, held at Speltz House in Sauk Rapids, started with Mass at which Father Tony Kroll presided. He did a wonderful inclusion of cultures and prayers for justice and peace for the suff ering of the world. The spirit of Sister Tonie was certainly there! A clever “mixer” allowed people to get acquainted and a sense of community quickly established itself. Again, in the spirit of Sister Tonie! More than 60 people attended and enjoyed cuisine from the cultures of Somalia, Jordan, the United States and Venezuela. I gave a short talk on Sister Tonie’s life; Sister Karen Niedzielski then shared about Sister Tonie’s work with high school students in Tanzania. Brianda Cediel recounted how she and Sister Tonie co-founded Hands Across the World and how the good work of providing education for adult immigrants new to this country continues. The success of the event exceeded all expectations, raising almost four times the original goal of $500. Sister Tonie’s legacy lives on in many persons who benefi t from what she and others initiated.

Sister Tonie’s spirit lives onSister Rose Mae Rausch

Associate Brianda Ceidel and Sister Tonie Rausch

Sunday, September 29, 12 noon

Washington Park/Playground, 113 NE 4th Street, Little Falls

FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA COMMUNITY NEWS • SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 3

Partnership Barn DanceEveryone is invited to join Bishop Kettler and the Mission Offi ce for the 6th Annual Partnership Barn Dance on Saturday, September 28 at Stephanie and Peter Christianson’s Farm, 41431 County Highway 16 in Battle Lake. Mass with Bishop Kettler will begin at 4 p.m., followed by a meal, live music, dancing, live auction, fun for the kids, and more. Free-will donations will support our diocesan partnerships with Maracay, Venezuela, and Homa Bay, Kenya. Please bring a chair for the liturgy! Contact the Mission Offi ce with questions: (320) 251-1100 or visit http://mission.stcdio.org.

Greetings sisters! Can you believe that October is almost here? You know what that means: it’s the Feast of St. Francis and October is a perfect month to celebrate our relationship with God, Saint Francis and Saint Clare, the Gospel and one another! So how can we rejoice together? Let’s all celebrate Associate Commitment Day on Sunday, October 6! We have a great day in store for you! Mass will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a festive lunch. On this day, six of our marvelous applicants from Minnesota will be making their commitment to the Franciscan Sister & Associate Relationship in a brief ceremony during Mass. They are:

Associate Commitment DayGeri Dietz, Associates

Mary Dongoski from Howard Lake Harry Fleegel from St. CloudMary Fleegel from St. Cloud

Gerry Leonard from Fergus Falls Jean Nelson from Eagle BendMary Schutz from Sauk Rapids

I cannot wait for you to meet them all! Also, and very importantly, on this day there will be a blessing for all those celebrating their 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30th anniversaries of being an associate, then a brief renewal of commitment and blessing for all associates at Mass. Of course, my hope is that YOU will be rejoicing, beholding what your eff orts at extending your love has done in the world! It will be a fi ne day to celebrate everyone!

On Tuesday, October 8, 14 individuals will receive the Archbishop’s Vatican II Award for Distinguished Service for outstanding contributions to the Church and society. The Vatican II awards were established in 1991 to honor men, women and young adults

who exemplify the Catholic Church’s vision set forth in the Second Vatican Council. Our Sister Callista Robinson will receive the Service to the Church award. I’m honored to join Sister Callista for a prayer service and awards ceremony at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee, followed by a dessert reception in the Cathedral Atrium.

Sister Callista Robinson receives distinguished service awardSister Bea Eichten

4 COMMUNITY NEWS • SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA

I was very moved by so many organizations and young people sending me e-mails about the climate strikes happening around the world on September 20. I decided to create a prayer service emphasizing support for the young people’s strikes and our responsibility to be good stewards of Mother Earth. After Mass on Friday, September 20, I invited parishioners at Sacred Heart Parish to the prayer service in the garden area by the church. We were extremely happy to support the young people and to know that we were in some way connecting with the events of the day. Our intercessions were so pertinent to the well-being of the planet and all of its creatures.

Climate Crisis Prayer ServiceSister Gloria Haider

More photos from Donor DayRight L-R: Sister Loretta Denfeld,

Sister Mary Lou Eltgroth and Louise and Richard Eltgroth

Below L-R: Sister Joanne Heim, Annie and David Schreifels and

Joyce Selg

FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA COMMUNITY NEWS • SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 5

DONORS OF THE DAY

SEPTEMBER25 Leonard Czech (Bowlus)25 Rudy & Dorothy Forster (Fernley, Nev.)26 Mario & Carol DeMatteis (St. Michael)26 Chester Grobschmidt (Oak Creek, Wis.)27 Carol Diedrich (Owatonna)27 Jerome & Kim Guerin (Costa Mesa, Calif.)28 Wanda A. Fandino (Palm City, Fla.)28 Don & Jean Forster (St. Louis Park)29 Sam Burgeson (Andover)29 LaVerne Dehler (St. Cloud)30 Harvey & Salome Heurung (New Brighton)30 Patrick & Ruth Kosel (St. Cloud)

OCTOBER1 Lorraine Huebner (Little Falls)1 Patricia Kranz (West Allis, Wis.)2 Dirk & Pamela Hyde (Perham)2 Mike & Joan Krause (Sauk Rapids)3 Michael & Agnes Jelacie (Billings, Mont.)3 Joan Lentner (Minneapolis)4 Fred & Rose Julig (Osakis)4 Donald & Doloris Lorsung (Alexandria)5 Catherine Koering (St. Paul)5 Dan & Joyce Lucy (Sylacauga, Ala.)6 Marina Koopmeiners (St. Cloud)6 Mary Lu McGuire (Oakland, Calif.)7 Harry McNeely (St. Paul)7 Arthur & Helen Phillips (Dodgeville, Wis.)8 Duane & Elsie Miller (Little Falls)8 Gerald & Marylynn Piotrowski (Rochester)9 Patrick & Gertrude Mingo (Minneapolis)9 Rita Primus (Sauk Centre)

10 Bob & Deb Niehaus (Melrose)10 Sue Pundsack (St. Cloud)11 Ron & Myrna Ohmann (Clearwater)11 Dr. Martin Rausch (Denver, Colo.)12 Bill Peterson (San Diego, Calif.)12 Jerry & Barbara Reif (Glenwood, Iowa)13 Linda Miller (Peyton, Colo.)13 Sharon Reiter (Huntingdon, Tenn.)14 Patricia Ricci (Little Canada)14 John & Trude Sowada (St. Cloud)15 Duane Rivard (St. Paul)15 Ernest & Bernice Skwira (Rice)

Praying Sisters/Staff for SeptemberCheryl Aswegan, Knute Nelson

2nd FloorSister Maureen Blenkush and Kelly Olson

Angela CommunitySister Cecelia Schmitt and Pam Geyer

The Praying Sister/Staff of the month will share a mealtime and several of their favorite things together throughout the month. The honorees for September were:

6 COMMUNITY NEWS • SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA

BBriefl y

UPCOMING EVENTSSeptember 25 ...................The Story of Your Life Workshop, 12:30 p.m.September 26 ...................Twins Game Day, 12:10 p.m.September 28 ...................6th Annual Partnership Barn DanceSeptember 29 ...................Blessing of Animals, 12 p.m.October 3 .........................Transitus of Saint Francis, 7 p.m.October 3-6 .....................Community GatheringOctober 6 .........................Associate Commitment Day, Mass at 11 a.m.

PLEASE PRAY FOR...Orv Meyer, who was taken by ambulance to Abbot Northwestern with two blockages in his heart and had a stent put in. He is a brother-in-law of Sister Rita Kraemer.

Sister Maurita Bernet's sister, Joan, who fell for the third time in nine months and broke her kneecap.

Cabbage, Horseradish, Potatoes,Tomatoes, & Sauerkraut

AVAILABLE CSA ITEMS FROM THE KITCHEN

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ommunity

is published biweekly by theCommunity Relations Department of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, for its members. News items and suggestions for this publication are welcome from community members. Send to:

Community NewsAttn: Julie Haldenwanger

116 8th Avenue SELittle Falls, MN 56345phone: 320-632-0614

e-mail: newsletter@fslf.orgwww.fslf.org

Articles are due noon Monday.

The next newsletter will be issued on October 9, 2019.

DIRECTORY CHANGESPlease make the following changes to the Sisters section of your directory:

Sister Jean Schwieters - change address to St. Francis Convent, 116 8th Ave. SE, Little Falls, MN 56345-3539. Phone number: 320-632-9281. She will join B11.

Sister Adela Gross - change B group to B7.

Please make the following changes to the Associate section of your directory:

Deb Kalahar - change address to 1009 9th St. NE, Little Falls, MN 56345. All other information remains the same.

Kristen Barnes - add as a new applicant. Address: 1004 Cambridge Court, Palmyra, PA 17078. Cell Phone: (507)398-6147. E-mail: kmwall@cord.edu. Birthday: 5/19. Companion: Sister Rose Mae Rausch. Date of commitment: 2019.

Dear Sisters, Please rejoice with me that the Lord and your prayers have healed my right arm. I still have some rehabilitation ahead so keep me in your prayers. God is good.

Sister Lorraine Olmscheid

THANK YOU

I received a card from a CEC student who received the Sister Judine Cassidy Scholarship on May 23, 2019. - Sister Cordy Korkowski

Dear Sisters, I would like to thank you so much for the $250 Sister Judine Cassidy scholarship that I received from you. It will help me out as I continue my journey through college for nursing. Thanks again,

Abbie Volkenant

THANK YOU

NOTEAn electronic copy of the Franciscan Federation Musings will be available online. Printed copies will also be in the Mail Room and the library if you would prefer to read a hard copy.