Dearest Ones,
Last weekend, my beloved sisters, Rose Anne (Leavenworth) and Angela (Omaha), both are widows with five children, joined me for our annual get-together. We try to meet each year and this year we met in Aberdeen at our convent! Although, we keep in touch by email and the phone, there is nothing like a real skin hug and hearing each other's laughter. Words cannot describe what this meant to us.
Last weekend, my beloved sisters, Rose Anne (Leavenworth) and Angela (Omaha), both are widows with five children, joined me for our annual get-together. We try to meet each year and this year we met in Aberdeen at our convent! Although, we keep in touch by email and the phone, there is nothing like a real skin hug and hearing each other's laughter. Words cannot describe what this meant to us.
How blessed am I and fortunate to have two sisters who would drive so far, so we could enjoy each other's company. They stayed in our Guest Rooms, attended daily Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, prayed the Office and enjoyed meals, laughing and talking with the rest of the Sisters (40) who live with me.
Early Sunday morning we visited the cemetery, where our sister, Sr. Margaret Mary, is buried. Under a clear blue sky, with birds greeting us in song and a gentle cool breeze, we sat on folding chairs, watching the sunrise. As we took in the beauty around us, we sang,"Goin' Home", "O What a Beautiful Morning," "Shall We Gather at the River?" "In The Garden" and other favorites. We felt M&M's (Sr. Margaret Mary) presence as we recalled the love she had for us. As we prayed the Rosary, our prayers went out to all those buried in the cemetery, to those suffering throughout the world, for our young people, the hope of the future, the crisis in so many places of the world, joblessness, etc. We left these petitionsl in the hands of the Lord, who loves us so much. We stayed there for a couple hours, reminiscing, thanking and praising God.
Next, we visited the nursing home, where several of our Sisters reside. Praying with them is always an inspiration. As they prepare to meet Our Loving Savior after many years in His service, we thought of the tremendous reward which will be theirs. Once in heaven, the sufferings they endured will seem to have lasted only a minute, as compared with the joy which will be theirs forever.
Next, we visited the nursing home, where several of our Sisters reside. Praying with them is always an inspiration. As they prepare to meet Our Loving Savior after many years in His service, we thought of the tremendous reward which will be theirs. Once in heaven, the sufferings they endured will seem to have lasted only a minute, as compared with the joy which will be theirs forever.
Angela got to use her dietician skills, as she counseled one of the Sisters who needed help with her diet.
Before departure on Tuesday morning, Rose Anne and Angela summed up their feelings with these messages, which I put on the on the bulletin board for the sisters:
Before departure on Tuesday morning, Rose Anne and Angela summed up their feelings with these messages, which I put on the on the bulletin board for the sisters:
--from Rose Anne:
Dear Sisters: I want to express my thanks for giving the three "Clarke girls" these days together. I have been greeted with so many hugs and smiles from these beautiful women. In the halls of your convent, someone was always looking for an opportunity to carry a tray, get a second cup of coffee or another act of kindness for the elderly. Blessings - Rose Anne Sachse
-from Angela:
To all the Sisters: Just want to extend my thanks for an extraordinary week-end! There was no end to the friendliness, food and fun! It was such an inspiration to be around so many holy women. A great example! Sincerely, Angela Johansen
To all the Sisters: Just want to extend my thanks for an extraordinary week-end! There was no end to the friendliness, food and fun! It was such an inspiration to be around so many holy women. A great example! Sincerely, Angela Johansen
On the way home, they visited the graves of our parents in Mitchell and brotherTom, in Omaha.
As Angela would say,"Sometimes, God gives us samples of heaven!" This was a generous sample!
As Angela would say,"Sometimes, God gives us samples of heaven!" This was a generous sample!
I'd like to share with you this lovely poem from Rose Anne:
With every rising of the sun
think of your life as just begun.
The past has cancelled and buried deep
all yesterdays. There let them sleep.
Concern yourself with but today,
grasp it and teach it to obey.
"My cup runneth over ....." - Psalm 23.
Sister Francelle
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