I am still putting together a post about Sr. Mary Elizabeth's Gaudeamus last week but thought I would give you a little taste of the celebration...here's a little background information."Young Air Force Woman Rides Cargo Plane to Visit Dominican Nuns in California" 

Sounds like a good headline doesn't it?  Our Sister Mary Elizabeth did just this while she was discerning a religious vocation and stationed in Colorado Springs, CO while serving for the United States Air Force.  And if one was riding a cargo plane, one was also wearing a parachute. (At least that is how the story goes...) This was one of the themes we used for her Gaudeamus.

Yes, this really is a photo of Sister, formerly known as Betty Jean

At 9:45 a.m. the main festivities began as Sr. Rose Marie wheeled Sr. Mary Elizabeth from her cell into the recreation room to the music of the Air Force Song, “The Wild Blue Yonder,” which we rewrote to reflect Sister’s career as a spiritual warrior. The sisters in formation had decorated the wheelchair with red, white, and blue crepe paper and bows, American flags, heavenly-looking streamers, and – to top it all off – a parachute which billowed out behind her as she rolled in.

Here she comes out of the wild blue yonder, Sorgho’s boast—Betty Jean Sauer! Air Force trained, ready to battle Satan, Cross in hand, “Thy Kingdom come!” Clothed with pow’r from His Sacred Passion, with His seal over her heart; The souls of men she’ll capture for Crucified Love, Christ Jesus, Savior!

She'll reside in an enclosed garden, armed with pray'r and sacrifice; Spirit-filled, flaming with love for Jesus, she'll fly high, on wings of pray'r. Simple days, doing the ordinary, used by God, they'll become great! She'll live with Him and not turn back; Nothing'll stop our Betty Jean Sauer!

Let us sing to Him who called her sweetly to His side, to be His bride! Fifty years she’s given all her heart’s love faithfully, nothing held back!Five her vows, five her unfailing weapons furthering His Kingdom on earth!His Spouse, His Joy, for fifty years—Thanks be to God for Betty Jean Sauer!

More to come about the celebration...I am off now to stir the chili and pray a rosary!