Morning After Snowfall
MORNING AFTER SNOWFALL
1. Open fields white, pinewoods green,
dull dark green stark against snow;
over all, the grim cold as clean as ice.
Where sun shines the gleam is steely
and the blue air would crack if you bent it
which no one will be able to do until the thaw.
2. Fly away, trees, fly away,
night has provided you with wings,
with feathers light as air.
You are buoyant, cool and delicate,
waiting only for the right music.
Kate’s winter musings:
February 18, 2019
WINTER LIGHT
The light of winter is blue where it rests on snow,
silver where it catches the edge of ice.
Under the moon it is magic, soft as smoke,
mysterious and cold.
Winter light seems barren where it stretches over empty fields,
the green of pine in winter is not a fertile green,
as the white of distant stars is not the white of daisies.
The white glacier is an impermeable light.
Winter light is at its best in fire,
where the warmth of flame meets wood or wax.
Radiance flares like a hand held up
To keep the darkness back.
Kate Martin 2010
Sister Cecilia is with God
Our Sister Cecilia Ramisch died at St. Mary’s Hospital on January 21, 2019.
We celebrated the Funeral Mass honoring Sister Cecilia on February 1. The Sisters waited for Fr. Mike Joncas to return to the Cities so that he might preside at the Eucharist. Fr. Mike and Sr. Cecilia had a long telephone relationship. Sr. Cecilia was the “fisher of priests” for our daily Eucharist in Bloomington.
And so for our Sister the liturgy began with a Procession into Chapel at Assisi Heights:
At the piano: Lynn Karnati, “How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place,”
Cross Bearer: Christine Holm
First Reader: Tim Murphy, carrying the Lectionary
Second Reader: Mary Kandels
Pall Bearers with coffin:
Kathy Ramisch
Tom Ramisch
Jim Kandels
Andres Raud
Intercessions would be proclaimed by Terry Johnston
Srs. Caroline and Helen carried the Pall
Clare Sisters and Family members followed.
Sr. Jan, ushered in the guests
Fr. Mike Welcomed the worshipers
And began the ritual.
Sr. Margaret sprinkled the cassette with Holy Water;
Srs. Caroline and Helen place the pall on the coffin.
Sr. Gabriel placed the Form of Life and the Crucifix on the coffin.
Sr. Helen offered the Welcoming and the Eulogy
Liturgy of the Word: Tim and Mary
Homily Fr. Mike
Intersessions: Terry Johnston
Offertory Procession: Rysia and Ladonna
Communion Ministers: Caroline and Catherine
At the conclusion of this beautiful service for our Sister Cecilia we all sang:
“The Blessing of St. Clare.”
The evening before the Funeral Mass at the Vesper service for Sister Cecilia we read from Sister Cecilia’s personal reflections that she had left for us which we call, The Gospel according to Cecilia.
FROM SISTER CECILIA
“Following six years of Poor Clare community life at Sauk Rapids and nine months receiving temporary hospitality from the St. Joseph Sisters at Holy Angels
Secondary School, Richfield, Minnesota, I was very excited to settle in Bloomington, to make Jesus’ presence known through our prayer, daily Eucharist, the Divine Office and contemplative community. Later I found an additional
way to make Jesus’ presence known through a telephone ministry, receiving incoming calls for prayer and offering to each caller a listening ear.” Sister Cecilia
SISTER CECILIA:
“My father died suddenly on April 29, 1949, the final day of an 8-day retreat before my first vows. That evening I had a dream about my father. I saw him lying on a cross. There was a sense of God’s great mercy surrounding him. When I was awakened by the Abbess and Vicaress to inform me that my father had died I was not surprised.”
Blessings to all, Sister Cecilia
