Someone once said friends aren't made but rather found...

INTERCOM NEWSLETTER OF THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS, CLINTON, IOWA SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2016

Election and Installation

Sister Marie de Lourdes Davenport, 90, who passed away at the Alverno on August 31, was remembered at her funeral with a reflection by Sister Martinelle Bonnell. Following is a portion of the reflection read at the funeral. Someone once said "friends aren't made but rather found" and to me that was one of Marie's most endearing gifts, her

It was no easy task to plan a reunion for former students of a teaching ministry that spans 150 years, covers two foreign countries and many states, and encompasses preschool to college graduates. Former

Sister Marie working on a puzzle last November 150th Anniversary Reunion Celebration

Farewell to Sister Marie de Lourdes Davenport

“I had a great time at the reunion. I was so

proud to be there with my sister, Kathleen.

( formerly Sister Juanita ) I also got to connect

with some of my former teachers from my high

school days at Lexington St. Ann High School in

Lexington, Nebraska. What a treat for me and

them!” -Jack Gutierrez

Sisters LaVern Olberding and Judy McKenna at brunch at the Vista Grande on Sunday with Jack Gutierrez.

Jack is holding a yearbook and photo of the pair.

Continued on page 3 Click HERE to go to page 3

New leadership for the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa, became official September 3 during a ceremony of Installation at The Canticle.

New Leadership



At The Canticle Saturday are Marbeth Koontz (left) and Maureen Bailey (right) former students

of St. Patrick’s, Clinton; and Mount St. Clare with Sister Gael Gensler.

Sister Pauline Logsdon greets a former student of St. Francis de Paula, Jack Calabrase.

In The Canticle archives - Gerry Pate (L) and Joan Frohne, (center) former students of Mount

St. Clare with Sister Annamarie Marcalus.

There are so many nice things to say I don’t

know where to start. The effort that was put forth

by the staff and friends were second to none. I

met so many nice people and caught up with my

classmates from St Francis De Paula. -Jack

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Nov 4 Human Trafficking Curriculum Training Nov 8 Anti-Trafficking Committee Meeting Nov 17 Social Justice Film Dec 2 Getting to Yes Peer Advisory Group Dec 3 Living Mercy Advent Retreat Dec 31 Closing Prayer Service for 150thanniversary

DAY OF COMMUNION OCTOBER 31, 2016

Happy Day of Communion! Communion: Everything that exists is in communion

with every other thing that exists. The whole universe is united as one...is in communion. When we share our vulnerability,

we touch the reality of our communion.

Sister Janet Ryan, center, in Chicago with friends at the Art Exhibition an 8th Day Center for Justice fundraiser held in September and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis.

Worthy of Note

Our prayers are requested for the repose of the souls of: Sister Marie de Lourdes Davenport, who passed away August 31.

Beverly Johnson, aunt of Kerry and Steve Notz, who passed away September 8. Donavon Sammon, brother of Sojourner Michael Gayman, who passed away September 11.

Hazel Lutz, sister-in-law of Associate Pat Outzen, who passed away September 13. Florence Wiederkehr, cousin of Sister Jackie Herrmann, who passed away October 16.

CLINTON UPCOMING EVENTS

Sister Ruth E. Westmoreland Planning a Mission Trip to Haiti

According to the Global Sisters Report, “Sisters inside with connections to humanitarian work in Haiti talk about how people are on the brink of death because of lack of access to sanitation or medical

care.”

Sister Ruth E. Westmoreland (center) is collecting items for her mission trip to Haiti. She is collecting adult, prenatal and non-gummy children's vitamins with iron; acetaminophen; ibuprophen; antacids; and pain relief ointment. If you are in Clinton and able to donate, please bring items to The Canticle office. Photo: Kathy Curran (left) and Sister Deborah Schneider (right) enjoying a game during the reunion

Associates Sandy Jacobs (center), Sharon Gilbert, (right), and Lanie Lass (back left) along with a friend, Liz Clements,

served dinner in October in Clinton for a program, “Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World.”

Premier of The Sultan and the Saint November 12 Sisters Anne Martin Phelan and Marilyn Shea will attend the world premier of Unity Production Foundation’s The Sultan and the Saint on November 12

in Washington, D.C. Luanne Schinzel, Trudy Portewig, (pictured above with Sister Gael Gensler during the reunion weekend) and Marty and Anne Holland will also attend. A committee is working on a screening in the Quad Cities in the spring. The Sisters of St. Francis are sponsors of the film.

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New leadership in place

friendliness. I first experienced that quality when as a freshman Academy student, I would meet Marie in the basement hall of the Mount on her way to or from the Alverno--she was young and pretty and so friendly to talk to. And she had a way of making you feel special! I remember years later when Marie was the "designated driver" for all the Sisters’ appointments, trips, etc. For those of us working in the college, our best time to go out and get supplies was on a weekend. Well, there were only a couple of cars and only a few Sisters who had access to them, but good ole Marie would come to the rescue every time! When life came full circle and Marie could no longer drive, any of us who did take her shopping or to see a friend can attest to her gratitude for this kindness. At the beginning of the month when the budget was burning a hole in her pocket, one could expect Marie to seek you out! Another manifestation of her friendliness was as the designated driver, Marie was probably in the homes of more of our Sisters' families than any one of us. Marie's easy-going personality endeared her to the Sisters’ relatives and when they came to visit the Sister here, they would frequently invite Marie to sit and eat with them as she was "part of the family". I can only imagine what a good

nurse she was and what an angel she must have been to the Bahamian people that she ministered to along the highways and remote byways. Marie was proud of her years there and I like to think she felt most in touch with St. Francis being able to help the poor and sick. Yes, we will miss Marie's friendliness to all visitors, to the newspaper carriers, and the mailperson and all who come to The Canticle. However, we know some of her favorites and these will bring her to mind---jigsaw puzzles and sharing a completed one, gadgets like hand-held games, and a good romance novel! Marie, when we have chicken legs, sweet corn, and fried eggs, we will celebrate you as friend! Thank you for your lifetime of serving our God and church and for your never ending search for people to meet and friends to find!

continued from page 1

Sister Marie in 1943, and on her 90th birthday and the gift of a tablet.

In July, the fifty-four members of the congregation elected as president Sister Janice Cebual, who had previously served as president from 2004-2012. Following her presidency, in 2013 she began working for National Catholic Reporter in Kansas City as the U.S. Liaison for Global Sisters Report. Elected as vice-president, Sister Marilyn Huergerich, who also served as president of the congregaton from 1996-2004. For the past ten years Sister Huegerich has been the principal of St. Mary School in Alexandria, Indiana. Sister Kathleen Holland, who was elected as councilor, had over thirty years tenure with Ashford University, formerly known as Mount St. Clare College, in Clinton, before its closure in May.

Notes from the Leadership Team Starting late, the team is grateful for everyone’s patience during this transition time. Our initial work may not be visible or apparent. This is a time to listen and to observe and to ground ourselves in a contemplative stance. Chapter calls us to move more fully into shared leadership. Thank you for sharing what is resonating with you and the contemplative stance at the recent regional meetings. Catherine Bertrand, SSND, has been chosen to assist the team with shared leadership, team building, and moving more deeply into contemplative processes. Cathy facilitated the 2016 LCWR Assembly in Atlanta, GA. Her recent past experiences include that of provincial leader and in helping members of congregations develop leadership skills and new models for leadership. Jan, Kathy, and Marilyn will be attending (attended) LCWR Region X fall meeting at the CSJ Motherhouse in St. Louis, MO on October 25 – 27. The theme for the days was “Be merciful to others.” Acknowledging racism and the human impact on an interconnected world focused the challenge before us: Who we are and what we do matters!

Appointments

Sister Gael Gensler Initial Discernment Coordinator Sisters Ann Martinek, Sarah Martz, & Joan Theiss Sharing Fund Committee Sister Marilyn Shea General Secretary Sister Marilyn Huegerich Canonical Treasurer

continued from page 1

Archives To view photos and information of the Sisters of St. Francis Missions and Missionary Assignments throughout the last 150 years, please

follow this link to our interactive map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?

mid=1oB7seiXPQcNttLd-hO9nx7KfeT4

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that quality when as a freshman Academy student, I would meet Marie in the basement hall of the Mount on her way to or from The Alverno—she was young and pretty and so friendly to talk to. And she had a way of making you feel special! I remember years later when Marie was the "designated driver" for all the Sisters’ appointments, trips, etc. For those of us working in the college, our best time to go out and get supplies was on a weekend. Well, there were only a couple of cars and only a few Sisters who had access to them, but good ole Marie would come to the rescue every time! When life came full circle and Marie could no longer drive, any of us who did take her shopping or to see a friend can attest to her gratitude for this kindness. At the beginning of the month when the budget was burning a hole in her pocket, one could expect Marie to seek you out! Another manifestation of her friendliness was that as a driver, Marie was probably in the homes of more of our Sisters' families than any one of us. Marie's easy-going personality endeared her to the Sisters’ relatives and when they came to visit the Sister here, they would frequently invite Marie to sit and eat with them as she was “part of the family.” I can only imagine what a good nurse she was and what an angel

she must have been to the Bahamian people that she ministered to along the highways and remote byways. Marie was proud of her years there and I like to think she felt most in touch with St. Francis being able to help the poor and sick. Yes, we will miss Marie's friendliness to all visitors, to the newspaper carriers, and the mailperson and all who come to The Canticle. However, we know some of her favorites and these will bring her to mind—jigsaw puzzles and sharing a completed one, gadgets like hand-held games, and a good romance novel! Marie, when we have chicken legs, sweet corn, and fried eggs, we will celebrate you as friend! Thank you for your lifetime of serving our God and church and for your never ending search for people to meet and friends to find!

Continued from page 1

Sister Marie in 1943.

In July, the Chapter elected Sister Janice Cebula as president. She had previously served as president from 2004-2012. Following her presidency, in 2013 she began working for National Catholic Reporter in Kansas City as the U.S. Liaison for Global Sisters Report. Sister Marilyn Huergerich, who also served as president of the congregation from 1996-2004, was elected as vice-president. For the past ten years Sister Marilyn has been the principal of St. Mary School in Alexandria, Indiana. Sister Kathleen Holland, who was elected councilor, had over thirty years tenure with Ashford University, formerly known as Mount St. Clare College, in Clinton, before its closure in May.

Notes from the Leadership Team Starting late, the team is grateful for everyone’s patience during this transition time. Our initial work may not be visible or apparent. This is a time to listen and to observe and to ground ourselves in a contemplative stance. Chapter calls us to move more fully into shared leadership. Thank you for sharing what is resonating with you and the contemplative stance at the recent regional meetings. Catherine Bertrand, SSND, has been chosen to assist the team with shared leadership, team building, and moving more deeply into contemplative processes. Cathy facilitated the 2016 LCWR Assembly in Atlanta, Georgia. Her recent past experiences include that of provincial leader and in helping members of congregations develop leadership skills and new models for leadership. Jan, Kathy, and Marilyn attended the LCWR Region X fall meeting at the CSJ Motherhouse in St. Louis, Missouri, October 25 – 27. The theme for the days was “Be merciful to others.” Acknowledging racism and the human impact on an interconnected world focused the challenge before us: Who we are and what we do matters!

Appointments Sister Gael Gensler Initial Discernment Coordinator Sisters Ann Martinek, Sarah Martz, & Joan Theiss Sharing Fund Committee Sister Marilyn Shea General Secretary Sister Marilyn Huegerich Canonical Treasurer

New leadership in place continued from page 1

Archives: To view photos and information of the Sisters of St. Francis Missions and Missionary Assignments throughout the last 150 years, please

follow this link to our interactive map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?

mid=1oB7seiXPQcNttLd-hO9nx7KfeT4

Sister Marie on her 90th birthday.

Click HERE to return to page 1


https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1oB7seiXPQcNttLd-hO9nx7KfeT4




New Orleans, continued from page 1

What a weekend we had in Clinton! It

was an honor to be part of the celebration

of the Sisters’ 150th anniversary year.

Rita Buckley Quinn, Pat Sherman Kuzmak,

and I arrived in Clinton on Friday night. Our

celebration began in Culver's when Sue

Wakerly held the door for us and we all

walked right by each other. Rita

Mulholland followed and we then

recognized each other. There we were in

the line where people were ordering

burgers and fries and we were hugging

and laughing together. Next we chatted

with Peg O'Herron Healy and husband,

Bob, who were sitting with Joelyn and

Dale. We proceeded to The Canticle for so

much more getting reacquainted. There

was my former classmate Janet Theiss

(Wright), looking like she was about 35. I

think it had been 50 years since I last saw

her but we picked up where we last left

off. Then so many wonderful people to

see. I have been blessed to visit with the

Sisters frequently but seeing so many

former Sisters was amazing. It was a

wonderful night of visiting.

Saturday had a picnic and I saw so many

familiar faces. There was the former Sister

LuAnn (Schinzel) who had been my student

teacher mentor. I reminded her of how, at

the end of a long week of student teaching

at St. Patrick's, I had pretended to faint in

our classroom. Sister Hillary had taught

me how to faint with dramatic flair.

The weekend continued with so much

fun, reconnecting, praying, eating, and

celebrating the Clinton Franciscans. I think

I speak for all who attended that this was a

wonderful reconnection. We are so blessed

to be able to come together now and then.

Thank you to all who made this weekend

so very special. I know it was a

tremendous undertaking but we appreciate

your work greatly.

- formerly Sister Shannon McKenna

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Saturday

Sunday

Friday Friday, September 30 Hors d’oeuvres at The Canticle 1)Kathy Curran

& Ann Butler 2)Sister Ida Green,

Sister Martinelle Bonnell, Mardy Bloch,

Therese Fallon 3)Sandy Jacobs 4)Deborah Blue,

Sister Maria Zeimen & Bonnie Butler

Saturday, October 1 Open house , lunch,

at The Canticle 5)Brent & John

Mullholand 6)Pat Knabel, Sister

Pauline Logsdon, Linda Smith

7)Luanne Schinzel & Lou Egging

8)Karrie Schaeffer & Mike Phelan

9)Linda Jean Puls & Julia Lynn Mussack

Clare Award

10)Sister Marjorie Wisor &

Elizabeth Monastero 11)Sisters Jan Cebula

and Pat Farrell

Social hour, dinner at Rastrelli’s

12)Linda Jean Puls, Mary Stebbins, Pat

Golinvaux, Pat Knabel, & Marla Pasdirtz 13)David Hoover 14)Ann Butler &

Sister Hilary Mullany

Sunday, October 2

Mass & brunch visioning discussion at the Vista Grande 15)Tom McEleney &

Sister Martinelle Bonnell

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The 2016 Clare Award Sister Pat Farrell, a Dubuque Franciscan, past president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), and advocate for poor and marginalized people was the recipient of the Clare Award October 1 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. The Clare Award is given by the Sisters of St. Francis to honor a woman who exemplifies the characteristics of St. Clare of Assisi and the values of the Clinton Franciscans: to live and promote active nonviolence, pursuing peace with justice, in right relationship with all of creation. “We are honored that Sister Pat Farrell is the sixth recipient of the Clare Award. She is an outstanding leader who inspires others with her courage and embodiment of nonviolence,” said Sister Jan Cebula, president of the Clinton Franciscans. While her earlier ministries included teaching in high schools and parishes, Sister Pat felt called to serve in Latin America where she is currently living and ministering in Honduras. Sister Farrell was chosen for the award not only for her ministry to poor and marginalized people, but for her leadership of LCWR at a difficult time in Church history for women religious. Her integrity, fortitude, and positive energy provided the conciliation needed at that time. LCWR, an association of the elected leaders representing 80 percent of women religious in the United States, assists congregations in furthering the mission of Christ by fostering dialogue and collaboration among congregations. “I’m so happy to have this excuse to come and step into your 150th anniversary celebration,” said Sister Pat. “Those of us who know you in the community are so grateful for your unique history, for your wonderful spirit, and for the noticeable vitality of your community. For a long, long time I have greatly admired the

focused intentionality you have taken up on peacemaking which I think is a great energy not only to your community but to all the rest of us around you and I wanted to celebrate with you today.” After accepting the award, Sister Pat addressed the audience: That whole experience with Rome happened four years ago. A lot has happened in four years in the Church and in the world. So what’s the perspective now four years out from that? I think during that whole time we were all aware that it must have been about something much larger because it just kept lingering and

lingering in the news and that is not common. Usually a thing happens and three days later the world is on to something else. There was this sustained interest and focus in both the Church and in the broader world on that event, for at least a year I would say. So I think for me what that says and what I’ve been aware of since, is that it was about something much larger than leadership and women religious, something even larger

than the Church although it certainly was about that. What I look at with hindsight is that that moment of the doctrinal assessment of LCWR made manifest a much larger undercurrent of movement that has been happening for a long time. And what comes to my mind is that passage from Romans which says that all of creation is moving, is groaning, giving birth to something new.

Past recipients of the Clare Award include Edwina Gateley, (1993) author, poet, lecturer, and founder of the Volunteer Missionary Society and Genesis House of Chicago; Dorothy Schramm (1996) founder of the Iowa Division of the United National Association-USA; Rev. Carol Richardson (1999) who was co-director of School of the Americas Watch at the time of

her award; Sister Joan Chittister OSB (2003), past president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and Kathy Kelly (2012), noted peace activist, author, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

Honoring Clare of Assisi As an introduction to the Clare Award Ceremony, Sister Hilary Mullany (left) prepared a history of Clare for the event. Clare the Light, a 25-minute "radio show" written by Sister Annamarie Marcalus was presented to audience. Participants were Sisters Ida Green, Marilyn Huegerich, Teresa Kunkel, Hilary Mullany, Janet Ryan, Jeanne d’Arc Untz and Ruth E. Westmoreland and Associate Deb Jacobsen.

Sister Jan Cebula presenting the award to Sister Pat Farrell at Prince of Peace

Church.

Sister Pat Farrell spoke about her time as president of LCWR.

Sister Anne Martin Phelan, Sister Pat Farrell, and Sister Jan Cebula.

Singing during the Clare Award ceremony.

150th Anniversary Reunion Celebration

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As part of the reunion weekend activities a popular interpreter of St. Francis of Assisi, David Hoover, presented St. Francis: Face to Face for the guests assembled at the celebration banquet and for the general public the following afternoon at Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton.

“It seemed appropriate as a culmination of our 150 years as the Sisters of St. Francis to bring to Clinton a performance about our patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi,” said Sister Janice Cebula, President of the Sisters of St. Francis. Appearing in a brown friar's robe typical of St. Francis and speaking with the audience as if he were the saint himself, David talked about Francis’ upbringing, his family, his youth, and his life’s work. “We were so happy to have them

as part of our 150th celebration,” Sister Hilary Mullany, chairwoman of the 150th Anniversary Committee remarked. “Both performances of the play added just the right touch for our guests during the festivities.” As a special favor to the Sisters, David’s wife Sharon performed

Conversations with Dorothy Day on Sunday evening at the Canticle. “It, too, added an insightful story of how active nonviolence can be a transforming way of life,” said Sister Hilary.

David Hoover, right, with his wife, Sharon, stayed at The Canticle while visiting Clinton to perform

David Hoover performing as St. Francis in St. Francis: Face to Face at Zion Lutheran Church

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St. Francis: Face to Face

A photo of the Sisters of St. Francis taken in July during Chapter along with those who were not present.

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150th Anniversary Reunion Celebration

Former Student Presides at Reunion Mass Walking down the center aisle of chairs at the reunion Mass, Father John Haugen began his homily by singing, “Memories light the corners of my mind, misty water color memories of the way we were,” from the 1974 pop hit song. Father Haugen, who attended Mount St. Clare College from 1973 to 1975, relayed a few memories of his own: “Sister Martin (Birmingham, his aunt) was our first connection to Mount St. Clare...There was a philosophy teacher who wore a striped dress and high heels: Sister William McCue...A piano teacher: Sister Judy McKenna….A voice teacher: Sister Harriet Rump...And Sister Aloysius (Leonard), who was put in the locker outside the cafeteria. Willingly she did it!” Father Haugen veered from humorous memories of the past to the importance of what has been created to stand the test of time. “The Mount’s not ours anymore,” he said as he spoke of the college sold in 2005. He drew attention to the vestments he wore for the occasion, “someone at Mount St. Clare did the sewing.” Likewise the chalice he brought for the Mass was created by Sister Veronica Langer who melted silver from his great aunt Tessie’s silver with his grandmother’s wedding ring set in the bottom of the stem. “What was started 150 years ago on some level might be unrecognizable but other things are the same. How do we focus on that vision? The second reading from Timothy (above) was a great jumping off place for us. Stir the spark into flame.”

Continued from page 1 2 Timothy 1: 6-8, 13-14 For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that

students and former sisters from Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin were in Clinton the weekend of September 30– October 2 for the reunion. “The years I spent with the Sisters of St. Francis as Sister Juanita helped me become the person I am today. I thank the Sisters for their continued support and prayers for me and my family,” said Kathleen Gutierrez of Washington, who attended the reunion with her family. More than 150 people attended the reunion. Students and those who taught or administered at Mount St. Clare Academy, Mount St. Clare College, St. Patrick School, St. Boniface School, Sacred Heart School, Mater Dei High School, and Ashford University, Clinton; and St. Francis de Paula School, Chicago were represented at the reunion.

Father John Haugen (center) with Sister Marilyn Huegerich (left); Associate and aunt of Father Haugen, Eleanore

Kilcoyne; Sister Jan Cebula, and Sister Kathleen Holland after the Mass and brunch.

At center are Sister Rosalie Noder and Pat Burnett. Also pictured are Pat’s daughters Viki and Val.

I was so pleased to have two of my daughters take

me to Clinton, Iowa, to participate in the Sister of St.

Francis' 150th anniversary celebration! As I

graduated from high school in 1948, there is not a

huge class left, but we do try to get together at least

once a year...sometimes oftener. My roommate in

high school was Phyllis Noder, better known these

many years as Sister Rosalie Noder. We have led

very different life styles (I married and had 11

children!) but somehow managed to keep in touch

and remain friends. My memories of Mount St. Clare

from the 1940s are very precious to me. And the

Sisters who taught us then are equally dear. Sister

Bertha (in my day she was Sister Rupert) just went

home to heaven this year at age 105!! As life does,

it has changed the order and where they live and

how they live. But it can never change the heart of

it, which is being a Franciscan!!

-Pat Vannice Burnett

So happy to see former classmates I

had not seen in years! Always a joy to

connect with the Clinton Franciscans.

Spent a prayerful and peaceful week

at The Canticle and felt very welcomed

and pampered! It was a wonderful

150th celebration.

Thank you to all who put so many

hours of preparation into a very joy-

filled time! -Former Sister

(1961 Sister Mary Angeline)

Barbara (Batista) Stoffel Barbara Stoffel (right) at the reunion dinner on

Satruday evening with Joan Godbersen (left), Sister LaVern Olberding, and Sojourner Julie Fawley.

The slide show on display at the reunion will be available on our website November 15.


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The Development Office by Amanda Eberhart

A big THANK YOU to all who donated to our summer Jubilee appeal and the fall ministry appeal. We received very generous gifts for the Franciscan Peace Center and general fund. Also, thank you to those who have contributed to the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa Endowment. The annual donor report for the fiscal year 2015-2016, as well as the Sisters’

Retirement Fund appeal, will be published before the end of the year.

It was cause of great elation to celebrate our 150th anniversary with our donors and friends at the reunion weekend during the first weekend of October. We were grateful to reminiscence with so many former sisters, students, friends, and family. We appreciate all those who traveled any distance, long or short, to spend time

with us.

I traveled to the Washington, DC area October 9-12 for the National Catholic Development Conference, the only national conference that situates fundraising within the context of ministry. Learning the newest trends in

fundraising and what's working for others was the highlight of the conference.

Other on-going projects include updating the electronic database, filing, and distributing a monthly update for the members of our Heritage Club, those who have put the Sisters of St. Francis in their estate plan.

Roundtable Discussion by Sister Janet Ryan Sisters Ruth E. Westmoreland (left) and Janet Ryan participated in a roundtable discussion in Dubuque, Iowa with Sisters from local congregations and Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois (center). The senator, campaigning for Hillary Clinton, invited Sisters to share policy priorities and concerns. Sisters echoed many of the same concerns: gun violence and funding for mental illness, criminal justice reform, voting rights protections, women's issues and climate change. Senator Durbin touched on some of the issues mentioned including his frustration over a sentencing reform bill, co-sponsored by Senator Grassley, which has not been called to the floor by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the refusal of Congress to hold a hearing for Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland. Senator Durbin praised Hillary Clinton and challenged questions about her trustworthiness. He requested voters continue to contact congress members and to vote. He was amused when Sister Ruth E. identified us as "Clinton Franciscans!”

Sister Emily Brabham (below , center) and Sisters Anne Martin Phelan & Theresa Judge, (right) joined thousands of others at the SOAW Border Convergence in Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Mexico, to pray for peace and compassionate immigration reform in early October.

Converging on the border by Sister Emily Brabham I’m still processing my experience at the border. There’s so much I want to share and yet there’s still the knowledge that no matter how much I share, it’s not the same as being there. A deep commitment to social justice, active nonviolence, and peacemaking are what attracted me to the Clinton Franciscans and kept me steady throughout my discernment process. As I have discerned, particularly in this year of canonical novitiate, I have had to hold seemingly contradictory things or tensions in a prayerful grace. This was probably most true during the last day of the SOA Border Convergence. I knew there was planned civil disobedience. I also knew I had a flight to catch. Where was my priority? Was it more important to catch my flight? Or more important to suffer for what I think is right? Regardless of what the answers to those questions are I made my flight. Part of this rationale is “there’s always next year/next experience/next issue.” We live in such an unjust

world that I can justify (rightly or not) holding back because I know there will be future opportunities to be Gospel. Aren’t we called to be Gospel at all times and in all ways? Was I being Gospel by catching my flight? I really don’t know. Going from the Arizona/Sonora border to a 4-day workshop in Racine, Wisconsin, was supremely disorienting. I found my prayer time and personal time not just focusing on the workshop, but continuing to process my experience in the Convergence.

Sister Jackie Herrmann, Sister Gael Gensler, Janet Theiss Wright, Joelyn

Huber Olen, and Peg O’Herron at the 150th Anniversary Reunion

Amanda Eberhart checking in reunion attendees

at The Canticle

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Chicago Regional Meeting October 22

Associate Beth Van Conia and Sister Judy McKenna (below left). Sisters Eileen Golby (left),

Sarah Martz, Emily Brabham, Judy McKenna, and Gael Gensler (right).

Empowered by the fire of the Holy Spirit, we affirm our charism

of ongoing conversion and rededicate ourselves to our mission

of living and promoting active nonviolence and peacemaking. Through shared leadership, we focus our efforts to co-create a

world where all creation is held sacred.

-from the 2016 Chapter Statement

Sisters, Associates, and Sojourners met to focus on co-creating and shaping our Clinton Franciscan Family and our world at the fall regional meetings.

Sisters Jan Cebula and Kathleen Holland attended the Western Regional and began the meeting by talking about shared leadership. In Chicago, the meeting was led by Sisters Marilyn Huegerich and Kathleen Holland. In Clinton, the Leadership Team was present for the meeting.

Other topics included engaging the world from a contemplative space, updates from the LCWR assembly, and corporate stands. Sister Pat Farrell’s 2016 LCWR Assembly address was viewed at the meetings as well.

Western Regional Meeting October 8

Sister Mary Lou Carlson (left) and Sister Marilyn Barry (right). In the photo below are Sister Yvonne Hawker (left), Associate Lodi Pippen, Sister Mary Lou Carlson, Sister Celeste Hanigan, Sister Carmel Jacobs, and Judy Belknap, who is active in Franciscan Peace Connection.

Clinton Regional Meeting October 29

Sister Jan Cebula (right) leading the Clinton meeting; Sisters Michael Marie Burns (below left), Teresa Kunkel, Marcella Marie Narlock and

Rosalie Noder discussed topics. A group discussion (below center) with Sisters Joan Theiss (center), Kathy Sadler (right) and William McCue. Sisters Bea Griffin, Martinelle Bonnell, and Ann Martinek shared ideas.

Sole Hope The Sisters of St. Francis Committee for International Day of Prayer for Peace and The Franciscan Peace Center hosted a Sole Hope project Tuesday, September 20, at The Canticle during Pace e Bene’s Campaign Non-Violence Week. They also spent an afternoon taking the project to Prince of Peace middle school students who wanted to get involved with Sole Hope as part of a service project. Sister Kathy Sadler shared the project with The Alverno Healthcare Facility, where staff and others contributed to the project with time and materials during Mission Week. The facility plans to continue the project quarterly, and Sister Kathy says "I'm going to do (the project) with my memory residents once a week." Sole Hope is a group whose goal is to provide closed-toe shoes to

African children who suffer from many foot-related diseases from jiggers. The core purpose of the project is to “effectively put in place preventive methods to combat diseases that enter through the feet and to create a positive physical and psychological difference in the lives of individuals in impoverished communities.” Sister Marilyn Shea wrote to the Sole Hope organization that sent information on how to host a shoemaking event and patterns for cutting shoes from denim jeans. The Franciscan Peace Center was able to assemble 150 pair of shoes out of denim which were then transported to Uganda to be sewn by tailors and finished by shoemakers. The project not only provides shoes to those in need, but it also provides jobs to the tailors and shoemakers.

Sisters Deborah Schneider and Nancy Miller, Lori Freudenberg and Mary

Edwards

Sisters Marilyn Shea and Kathleen Holland at Prince

of Peace School

P A G E 1 0

In mid-September the Clinton Peace Coalition held the 17th annual Stop the Hate / Show the Love Walk that began at First United Methodist Church and finished at Bethel A.M.E. Church. Pastor Robert Barrick of First United Methodist Church welcomed the one hundred people who gathered prior to the walk at the 7th Avenue South church, offering encouragement for the often-difficult task of being peaceful. The second speaker, Dr. Karen Vickers, president of Clinton Community College, focused on the walk’s theme, “Our Community: a Peaceful Place,” stating she was grateful for those attending and for the positive impact the walk has had on the city of Clinton. Mardell Mommsen, of Clinton Community College, introduced area students representative of each of the schools and invited them to speak on the topic. Mommsen also introduced Senator Rita Hart, Representative Mary Wolfe, and Attorney Mike Wolf. Performing for the gathering was the Clinton High A’cappella Choir led by Karl Wolf. Sisters Teresa Kunkel and Joan Theiss were among the walkers, along with Sister Nancy Miller, Lori

Freudenberg, Sojourners Lou and Gabriela Egging and Associate Lanie Lass. Lou and Gabriela carried the sign for the Clinton Franciscans. Others carried signs for Clinton Peace Coalition, the Vinson H. Jetter Community Center, the Human Rights Commission, the Y.W.C.A., and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. Banners signed by

students from each school also were carried in the walk. Others toted signs that had been created as one of the preliminary activities of the event. Statements such as MAKE PEACE NOT WAR / PEACE EVERY DAY / GIVE PEACE A CHANCE / I HAVE A DREAM / DR. KING, WE NEED TO LISTEN TO YOUR WORDS TODAY, could be seen by passersby along the route.

843 13th Avenue North Clinton, Iowa 52732 (563) 242-7611 www.clintonfranciscans.com

SistersofStFrancisClintonIA

Living m er cym er cy

Jo in us for this

Advent Retreat Saturday,

December 3

8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. facilitated by Nancy Miller, OSF

at T h e Canticle 841 13th Avenue North,

Clinton, Iowa

Deepen your understanding

of m er cy

SistersTeresa Kunkel and Joan Theiss with Kemi Okwumabua of Clinton Community

College and Sojourner Lou Egging (back) at First United Methodist Church.

Franciscan Peace Center Community Outreach Director Lori Freudenberg &Wanda

Wyatt-Hardwick in downtown Clinton.

Francie Hill readies a butterfly for release on the palm of Senator Rita Hart.

Stop the Hate Walk Getting to Yes Peer Advisory Group Clinton area residents are invited to participate in a

peer advisory group to help resolve conflict resolution issues in our community. Bring your

real-world negotiation and conflict resolution challenges to

present to the group for feedback and valuable input

from local community members.

Friday, December 2 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.

Breakfast included

Clinton Community College 1000 Lincoln Blvd, Clinton, IA

Facilitator: Josh N. Weiss, Ph.D Speaking in Clinton

in September

Advent Vespers at The Canticle

“A Season of Gifts”

Sundays at 6 p.m. November 27, December 4,

December 11, December 18

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