St. Anne’s Week—Just around the Corner!

July 21-27, we will again celebrate our patron saint, St. Anne. We don’t know a lot about this holy woman, but she was the mother of Mary (and Jesus’ grandmother). Below is a poem about her.)

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We honor her especially on her feast day, July 26. Residents and staff are encouraged to join in the fun of the week, which will include the following dress up days:
Sunday, July 21 ~ Dress-up Day
Monday, July 22 ~ Sports Day
Tuesday, July 23 ~ Western Day
Wednesday, July 24 ~ Colorful Sock Day
Thursday, July 25 ~ Hat Day
Friday, July 26 ~ St. Anne’s Shirt Day
Saturday, July 27 ~ Patriotic Day
We’ll have special activities that go along with the days’ themes.

Celebrating Sister Elaine’s 60th Jubilee!

60th Jubilee Celebration for Sister Elaine

This summer, Sr. Elaine is celebrating 60 years in Religious Life!  Although there will be festivities at the provincial house in Hankinson, we’re planning a celebration here at St. Anne’s, too, for those unable to attend there.

R to L: Sr. Rebecca, Sr. Elaine, Sr. Christina

You are welcome to join us Thursday, June 20th at 2 p.m. for a reception in honor of Sr. Elaine’s Jubilee.
No gifts, please.  Your presence is gift enough.

Sr. Elaine also started out her religious life serving in education, but after ten years moved into the field of long-term care.  She has served at St. Anne’s Guest Home in Grand Forks since 1970, working in the business office and helping the elderly and disabled who live there in many ways.  She has brought joy to many over the years by playing her accordion, active as a member of the area accordion club for a number of years and continuing to entertain residents and others in the area.  

Please join us in sending up a prayer of thanksgiving for these Sisters and their many years of beautiful witness, as well as in continued daily prayer for more vocations to the Consecrated Life within our Diocese.

The Clothesline – In honor of International Clothesline Week, June 1-8…By Betty Canavan

Oh, how I remember the clothesline
Our clothes blowing in the wind
The wonderful smell of fresh clean sheets
Were an extra dividend.

We’d carry the laundry up the stairs
From down in the cellar below
Hanging the towels and flat things outside
So unmentionables wouldn’t show.

Working hard to get them all down
In the case of a sudden shower
Hanging them everywhere, here and there
So they wouldn’t mold or sour.

Taking the time on wash day
To wave to a neighbor and talk
Sharing the neighborhood gossip
Around the block on a walk.

The hypnotic effect of shirts and aprons
Dancing in the breeze
Bring to mind acrobatic couples
On the high trapeze.

No matter what type of dryer sheets
Or softener you might buy,
Mother Nature’s fresh perfume
Is best! (I cannot lie.)

Who Doesn’t Like Ice Cream?!

Pie & Cake Ice Cream Social

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It’s that time of year again! We’re getting ready for our great June tradition, and its not graduations or Fathers’ Day – it’s our Pie & Cake Ice Cream Social!

This fun event will be held June 9, 2019 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.  A free will offering will be taken in support of our Activity department.  Great entertainment will be provided by Chuck Gust & Friends. 

Would you like to bake a cake or pie, or give a monetary contribution?  It’s easy…Just complete the form below!

National Receptionists’ Day

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Did you know that this past Wednesday (2nd Weds. in May) was set aside in honor of receptionists nationwide, we didn’t until just now!

Around St. Anne’s, receptionists do a lot more than just answer the phone!

Weekends can be pretty quiet, and a good time for little projects, but Monday through Friday tend to make up for this! The ability to multitask is crucial for a receptionist here during business hours. ?

During this time, receptionists take and direct calls from medical providers and any number of other inquirers. They assist residents with business needs, make change, and sell stamps and gift case items.

There are busy times and quiet times.

Although the receptionist is not “up on the floor,” running around and assisting with personal care needs of our residents, (s)he plays a very important role and is the first point of contact in dealing with the outside, be it visitors or callers.

If you have a little extra time and would like to “give back” to your community, you might even consider becoming a volunteer receptionist here ?

Happy Belated Receptionists’ Day!!!

Updated Statement to Articulate our Mission of Service at St. Anne’s

This past Saturday, our Board of Directors approved a new mission statement. Our former statement had been written to represent the services offered by all of the facilities staffed by the Franciscan Sisters from Hankinson. The new one is more reflective of the special work done here at St. Anne’s as a long-term care facility.  The new mission statement reads:

Our mission at St. Anne’s is to provide a safe, caring, and family-like home for our residents. Inspired by St. Francis, we strive to serve each person who comes to us as we would Christ. We welcome those who come to us from various backgrounds, treating them with love and dignity while providing for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

St. Anne’s strives to embody the gospel message in accord with the “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services” given by the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops.

Easter Egg Fun!

This afternoon, several residents at St. Anne’s gathered to help dye Easter eggs.

It was a fun way to spend part of this Holy Saturday afternoon as we look forward to Easter Sunday tomorrow.

One Dedicated Dog!!!

You may know someone who is an avid recycler, and maybe, you are one yourself. It’s good to look out for the environment, right?

Probably, though, you’ve never met one as dedicated to the cause as our dog Zoe is!

She loves to lick out the tins from chicken pot pies and the foil from tuna melts, preparing them to go into the recycling basket.

Watching Zoe, as she chases the item around the room also provides us with comic relief after a busy day. She works it vigorously with her tongue to get off the savory morsels, often making her way into a corner.

Too bad more people in our society aren’t interested in investing a little effort, like Zoe does, into protecting our environment, and caring for this world that’s entrusted to us!

Rummage Sale ~ Coming Up

In case you didn’t know, St. Anne’s is having our annual rummage sale in a couple of weeks.

This year, we’ve expanded it to a two-day event. Here are the hours:

  • Friday, April 12: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 13: 8 a.m. – Noon (with bag sale from 10 to noon)

This sale benefits our home for the elderly and disabled.

In addition to shopping at the event, there are a couple of ways you can help:

  • Donate gently used items. They may be dropped off between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. at 524 N. 17th St., Grand Forks.
  • Sign up to volunteer to work Weds., Thurs., Fri. and/or Sat. (April 10-13). We’ll be setting up on Weds. and Thurs. and working the sale Fri. and Sat.

Thanks so much!

Order Your St. Anne’s Jacket Today!

Some staff had been asking/talking about getting new “St. Anne’s jackets,” so we’ve done some research and will be putting in an order within the next couple of weeks.

We’ll be getting a lighter weight jacket, perfect for the spring weather that is coming…some day.

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~ Narvik Soft Shell Jacket ~
Made of 96/4 polyester/spandex.
Super soft microfleece lining for superb comfort.
soft shell design is water-resistant 
Elasticized cuffs keep the jacket snug to your wrists and prevent the sleeves from sliding up.
Store small items in the angled left zippered chest pocket or the zippered hand pockets.
Internal locker loop provides easy hanging access while not in use.
Size: S-5XL.

Call 701-746-9401 or email us if you’re interested. The price should be about $42 or less.