NEWSLETTER OF THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS, CLINTON, IOWA MARCH / APRIL 2018INTERCOM

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

We affirm our charism of ongoing conversion and rededicate ourselvesto our mission of living and promoting active nonviolence and peacemaking.

- 2016 Chapter Commitment Statement

Honoring Dr. King on the 50th anniversary of his death The Franciscan Peace Center staff planned a prayer service, created video messages, and provided a series on nonviolence to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the April 4 assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. “Our whole journey as Clinton Franciscans to recognize, acknowledge, and name our corporate mission as living active nonviolence and peacemaking has taken place within the life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said President Sister Janice Cebula in an interview for the Catholic Messenger.

Bell-ringing, prayer service

A prayer service in honor of Dr. King was held at The Canticle on April 4 as part of a national movement to toll bells at the time of his assassination. “Though his voice was silenced nearly 50 years ago, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message on nonviolence still resonates and inspires,” Sister Janice said at the opening of the prayer service. “Houses of worship across the country will join in a global bell ringing at 6:01 p.m., CST, which marks the time Dr. King was killed,” she said as the bell at The Canticle began to ring. “Ringing the bell symbolizes the quest for peace, justice, human rights, and social and economic progress for all people. The bell will ring 39 times,

King’s age at the time of his death,” she continued.

Video messages on nonviolence

The first of 11 video messages on nonviolence produced by the Franciscan Peace Center was posted on the Sisters’ Facebook page and website on April 4. “Our intention is to help explain some of the key concepts of nonviolence and how it relates to Franciscan

Spirituality,” said Laura Anderson, Director of Marketing for the Franciscan Peace Center, and producer of the videos. The series will continue every Wednesday through June 13. Videos that have already been posted are “The Goodness of God,” and “All Life is Interrelated,” written and read by Sister William McCue, “The Two Hands of Nonviolence,” written and read by Sister Marilyn Shea, and “Choosing Civility,” written and read by Sister Nancy Miller, Dubuque Franciscan and Director of Franciscan Spirituality for the Franciscan Peace Center. Content read came from blogs originally posted on the Franciscan Action Network website. To view the videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/ClintonFranciscans.

Introduction to Nonviolence

“Introduction to Nonviolence,” a three-session series about responding to violence, also began on the anniversary date of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Finding ways to live a more just and peaceful life, deepening relationships with others, and the experience of the power of nonviolence were all part of the sessions presented by Sister Nancy, who said, “This was a very engaging group with a wide breadth of experiences and insights that enriched our learning.”

Sister Marilyn Huegrich rings the bell during a prayer sevrvice held at The Canicle.

Photo by Shelly Seifert

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We affirm our charism of ongoing conversion and rededicate ourselves . . .

Former university takes on a new purpose, holds open house The former Ashford University campus once administered by the Sisters of St. Francis was open to the public April 8 after being closed for two years. The future owner of the campus, Confucius International Education Group (CIEG), is headed by Mr. Kong Ling Tao, the 76th descendent of Confucius. CIEG entered into an agreement with the Clinton Community School District to bring international students from China to Clinton in August. The students will live on campus and attend classes at both the former Ashford campus and at Clinton High School. Clinton High School students will also be offered the opportunity to attend classes at both locations.

The open house began with presentations by Iowa Senator Rita Hart, Holly Barnes of the Iowa Department of Education, Brian Clem of Clinton Catalyst; Ziyi Christine Ye, Xinyi Zhang, and Joe Zhou, employees of the new academy; and Clinton Superintendent Gary DeLacy. Clem introduced eight students visiting from China. The students attended Clinton High School the week of April 8 before returning home. Some, along with 30 to 70 additional students, will return in the fall to begin school in Clinton. During the ceremony, Sisters

Visitors attend an open house at the former Ashford University campus. This building, formerly Mount St. Clare Academy, was built by the Sisters of St. Francis in 1893. The Sisters sold the campus to Bridgepoint Education in 2005, who closed in 2016. Photo by Kate Marlowe

present — Sisters Janice Cebula, William McCue, Eileen Golby, Kathleen Sadler, Deborah Schneider, Martinelle Bonnell, and Marjorie Wisor — were asked to stand to be recognized as Barnes, an alumna of Mount St. Clare College, paid tribute to their ministry of education in Clinton. “The Sisters maintained ownership and successfully administered Mount St. Clare Academy from 1893 to 1980 and Mount St. Clare College from 1918 to 2005. . . to the Sisters I say, job well done and thank you for providing a quality education for the thousands of students who attended school here.” The students from China presented Sister Janice Cebula and other special guests with a scroll wall hanging. The scroll contains a poem, Plum Blossoms, by Wang Anshi, 1021-1086 Associate Marion Johnson acted as one of the tour guides for the hundreds attending the open house. Attendees visited Clare Hall, the Ladd Science Building, Sister Hilary Mullany Theatre, the library, and St. Francis Auditorium. Marion, who taught two chemistry classes for 25 years at Mount St. Clare College (retiring in 2002), noted the state of the science labs before and after 2012. In 2012, Ashford University finished multi-million dollar renovations that included new fume hoods, lab benches with vacuum and natural

Plum BlossomsIn the nook of a wall a few plum sprays, In solitude blossom on the bleak winter days, From the distance I see they cannot be snows,For a stealthy breath of perfume hither flows.

- Translation of poemwritten by Wang Anshi

gas fixtures, and improvements to electrical systems and plumbing. “These changes to the whole building rival labs in any college,” she said, adding, “I’m so excited about the students using the building. I knew the ‘before.’ If you had seen the ‘before’ you’d understand the excitement of the ‘after.’ In the tour of the whole facility I was surprised with how much had been updated.”

Students Celine Wu (left) and Kevin Wang present a scroll to Sister Janice Cebula during CIEG’s open house. Submitted photo

Associate Marion Johnson takes visitors on a tour of the former Ashford campus. Photo by Kate Marlowe

Note: Senator Hart, Clem, Barnes, and employees of the new academy visited The Canticle April 6 to answer the Sisters’ questions about the new school.

(See photo on page 3)

. . . to our mission of living and promoting active nonviolence and peacemaking.- 2016 Chapter Commitment Statement

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Sister LaVern selectedfor conference honor

Sister LaVern Olberding was chosen by the Sisters of St. Francis to be honored at the Franciscan Federation Annual Conference in June. Each congregation in the federation had the opportunity to select one of its members to be honored at the event. Based on the conference theme for 2018, “Franciscans and Muslims: Lessons from the Past & Prospects for the Future,” the criteria for nomination were: A Franciscan who embodies an openness to the other and someone who, in her service, transcends prejudices, engages in interfaith dialogue or cross-cultural ministry and witnesses to unity in diversity. Sister LaVern was chosen for being welcoming and inclusive regardless of religion, abilities, race, living status, or sexual orientation. Sister LaVern’s past ministry experiences include classroom teacher, campus minister, religious education director, and her work with prisoners preparing to return to society. She currently ministers at the Franciscan Peace Connection in San Diego, sponsored by the Clinton Franciscans, where she facilitates neighborhood projects and various interfaith endeavors. “I am very humbled to be honored for who I am with others. It is part of my upbringing and it brings me joy to watch others as they learn to give and receive and watch the relationships evolve,” Sister LaVern said. Photo slides of Sister LaVern will be shown at the June 13 banquet in Buffalo, New York. Look for photos in the May/June Intercom.

LaVernOlberding, OSF

Worthy of Note

Sister Paschal Hocum (left) talks with academy staff members (from left) Ziyi Christine Ye, Joe Zhou, and Xinyi Zhang. Photo by Kate Marlowe

Donation to African Students A group of Sisters and a few others who live at The Canticle have been providing financial support to three students in Africa for a number of years through Fishers of Men Ministries (FOM) in Davenport, Iowa. The group came to know FOM and its president, Joshua Ngao, through Dr. William Woods, a professor at the former Ashford University. Woods suggested that Ngao give a presentation at The Canticle eight years ago. When Ngao spoke to the Sisters of growing up in Kenya and his visits to the country twice a

year, several Sisters decided to “adopt” two children. As the group of support grew, another student was adopted. When the group heard that two of their older students needed to register and pay for high school several months in advance, they weren’t sure how to manage paying the elementary and the high school tuitions concurrently. News of the need for tuition traveled quickly, and on Easter weekend they had a surprise visit from Sharon Rath and Gary Watters, each donating tuition for one of the two students. Thanks, Sharon and Gary!

Sisters Virginia Krakow (far left), and Joan Theiss ( far right) accept a donation for the Kenya students from Sharon Rath and Gary Watters (middle).

Photo by Sister Janice Cebula

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We affirm our charism of ongoing conversion and rededicate ourselves . . .

Lenten Peace Soup Series on Peace-Related Topics This year’s Peace Soup planning committee chose to take a closer look at the “Hate Has No Home Here” campaign by pairing its message of respect with the Prayer of St. Francis. Titled, “Hate Has No Home Here: Becoming

Instruments of Peace,” the weekly Tuesday night gathering during Lent offered partcipants a night of food, fellowship, and an opportunity to hear a presentation on a peace-related topic. The first two sessions of Peace

Soup, “Where there is hatred, let me sow love” and “Where there is injury, pardon,” took place in February. Topics discussed in March include:

March 6 - ‘Where there is despair, hope’

Following the viewing of a video of a woman able to find hope despite dismal circumstances, Sojourners Dick Roberts and Lou Egging spoke about learning to cope with devastating circumstances. Dick began with an anecdote of a worrisome time when his daughter was traveling overseas and was expected to call home, but was unable to make the call. He then shared the sorrowful, “terrifying” time after his wife, former Sojourner Nancy Roberts, passed away. Dick credits the concern shown

by others as the reason he was able to find hope in both situations. Lou emphasized the importance of human interaction in seemingly hopeless situations. Paraphrasing pastor and columnist Don Follis of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, Lou said, “In order for us to love others as Jesus did, we, too, need to cross into other people’s worlds, enter life in their shoes while holding on to our own world as well. It is all about relationship and love remains the most compelling force in life. What you have to give may be the encouragement

Sojourner Dick Roberts shares a message of hope at the March 6 session of Peace Soup. Photo by Kate Marlowe

for which they have long been hoping.”

March 13 - ‘Grant that I may not so much seek . . . to be understood as to understand’

Sisters Joan Theiss, Teresa Kunkel, and Eileen Golby compared violent communication to compassionate or nonviolent communication, using excerpts from Marshall Rosenberg’s book,

Nonviolent Communication. Sisters Martinelle Bonnell and Michael Marie Burns, along with Lori Freudenberg, Franciscan Peace Center Community Outreach Director, role played

exercises that demonstrated the two types of communication.

March 20 - ‘It is in dying that we are born to eternal life’

Tom Streveler, a member of Pax Christi, spoke at the final session of Peace Soup on the topic of dying in order to live, something he considers the key paradox of Christianity. After speaking about Christianity in American culture, the evening concluded with two short videos, one of Mike Wallace interviewing Ayn Rand and the other of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last speech. Streveler used the Wallace video to allow the audience to decide if

the selfish behavior of Rand was at odds with the teachings of Christ, while using a portion of Dr. King’s last speech to demonstrate how a person gives of one self. “It is through the process of dying to live that there have been born the most precious things that humanity has,” he said. In the video, King, who most likely knew death was imminent, is joyful in talking of “the promised land,” or eternal life.

Peace Soup is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis and Prince of Peace Parish’s Pax Christi. This year, more emphasis was given to table conversations, a time for attendees to share what they were learning with others. Highlights of each week’s talks can be found on the Sisters of St. Francis website.

Go to page 5 to see the beneficiary of this year’s Peace Soup donations

“Compassion compels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow human beings, to remove ourselves from the center of our world and put another there, to respect the sanctity of every single human person, treating each one, without exception, with justice, equity, and respect,” she said. On March 18 Sister EmilyBrabham spoke about relationships. “This Lent, how are we doing with our relationship with Jesus the Christ?” she asked the audience. On March 25 Rita Mulholland spoke about listening and openness. During her talk, Rita quoted Richard Rohr, stating “Contemplation means we return to the source. It is a way to hear with the spirit and not with the head.”

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- 2016 Chapter Commitment Statement . . . to our mission of living and promoting active nonviolence and peacemaking.

Peace Soup donations earmarked for Jetter Community Center The Peace Soup planning committee chose the Vinson H. Jetter Community Center to be this year’s recipent of donations collected each week. The center was chosen because it promotes nonviolence among the youth in the community through free activities and events. Rachel Jetter, president of the center, accepted a check totaling nearly $1,225, saying, “I would like to thank the Peace Soup committee for making the Vinson H. Jetter Community Center the recipient of the free-will offering this year. We plan to use the funds to purchase paint, cleaning supplies, drywall, toilets, roofing needs, and other things to help get the building up and running.”

Peace Soup planning committee members present a donation to the Vinson H. Jetter Community Center. Pictured (front, from left) are Rachel Jetter, Jacier Billings, Nancy Streveler, Sister Eileen Golby, Sister Teresa Kunkel and Gabriela Egging; (middle) Dina White, Sue Peters and Tara Jetter; (back) Dick Roberts, Lou Egging, Sister Joan Theiss, Tom Streveler, and Kevin Hart. Photo by Shelly Seifert

The theme for Lenten Vespers was “Practicing Love: Finding Hope and Peace.” Topics covered in February were joy and forgiveness. (See the January/February Intercom). Topics covered in March were as follows: On March 4 Sojourner Lou Egging spoke about finding encouragement during his years at college, first in leaving his parents and siblings at home in western Nebraska to go to college in Montana, and again with his college courses. “I didn’t know a soul . . . but I saw the beautiful mountains and knew God was encouraging me to keep going . . .” While at college, Lou received encouragement from a professor when he struggled with calculus and wanted to quit the engineering program, and from his future wife, Sojourner Gabriela Egging, when he had difficulties with chemistry. Lou added that he discovered that not only could he find encouragement, but he could encourage others, in turn. On March 11 Sister Deborah Schneider spoke about compassion.

Lenten Vespers: Finding Hope and Peace

Rita Mulholland speaks at Lenten Vespers.Photo by Kate Marlowe

-The Sultan and the Saint by Sister Marilyn Shea In 2016, Unity Productions Foundation produced a docudrama film about Muslim-Christian peacemaking, titled The Sultan and the Saint. After premiering in cities around the country and being broadcast widely on PBS television stations, this film is now available in DVD format. The Sisters of St. Francis have been given a number of DVDs to distribute for use in building understanding among persons of different cultures and faith communities. This story of the encounter between St. Francis and Malek al-Kamil, the Sultan of Egypt, is a powerful witness of interfaith dialogue and respect. To obtain a copy of the DVD for yourself or for a parish, university, library, etc. in your area, please contact me at mshea@clintonfranciscans.com. We will distribute the DVDs on a first-come, first-served basis. We also have DVDs available for check-out from our library. To borrow a copy, please contact Shelly Seifert at sseifert@clintonfranciscans.com.

DVDs Available

We affirm our charism of ongoing conversion and rededicate ourselves . . .

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Affected by Gun ViolenceMarch for OurLives ClintonAccording to organizers, approximately 200 people attended March for Our Lives Clinton on April 22. The event was orginally planned for March 24 when demonstrations for tighter gun control took place around the world, but Mother Nature had other plans, blanketing the area with snow. The march also included a program highlighted by speeches from seven students of Clinton and Northeast high schools, Camanche Middle School, and Clinton Community College. Each expressed a desire to end gun violence in schools. Exceprts from their talks follow. Camryn, a Northeast High School student, said, “. . . I’m afraid because it feels like the government is doing nothing to help. I’m afraid that my teachers might be armed one day. I’m afraid that people aren’t going to vote. I’m afraid that hate is overpowering love . . .” Ryann, of Clinton High School, expressed her concern, “. . . Our students deserve the right to change the world, and through education we can ensure that they do. It’s everyone’s responsibility to be educated about gun violence and share that knowledge. . .” Grace, a Clinton High School student, said, “. . . I believe it is time to enact laws that limit gun access. Strengthening background checks and a complete ban on assault weapons, military weapons, and semiautomatic to automatic weapons is in order. There is no reason for an individual to own weapons like this . . .” Dominik, a Camanche Middle

School student, shared “. . . We are the next generation of voters and we have seen what it is like to live in times when guns control our lives. We will not continue to accept the mass murder of children in our school systems. It is pretty bad when children are afraid to go to school. I want my generation to change that . . .” Allison, a Clinton High School student, said “. . . I ask for national legislation: a 21-year age limit to acquire a firearm; a complete ban on the purchase of automatic firearms; required federal registration for silencers; limitations on gun shows and the ability to sell and buy anonymously; and, lastly, firm, required background checks . . .” Ashlyn, who attends Clinton Community College, shared a sad truth, “. . . I am of a generation that has never known a time without violence. I do not remember the events of Columbine or September 11. To me these events are as foreign and historical as any world war. Terrorism, shootings, they are so normal in my world because, as far as I know, they have always been — but that’s not a legacy I want for my generation . . .” Ayanna, who attends Clinton High School, shared “. . . Other students have had to ask the questions I’ve never had to, and some can never ask the questions I do, ever again. Those kids will forever be silenced, but their tragedy will ring on; like the fatal gunshot that took their life . . . in my original poem titled ‘Before

Student speakers at March for Our Lives Clinton (from left) Camryn, Ashlyn, Allison, Ryann, Grace, Ayanna, and Dominik led the march on Riverview Drive. Photo by Kate Marlowe

Time Stops’ I explore the questions and thoughts that a person ponders going through a school shooting . . .”

Before time stops Pop. I’m just waiting for time to stop. My heart is beating Over all of this screeching I wonder, when will this be over? Is today the day I need my four leaf clover? . . .

Excerpt from poem by Ayanna

Reactions togun violence As more and more lives are affected by gun violence, some choose writing as a way to express concerns. Sister Annamarie Marcalus wrote a letter to the editor praising young activists “Bless the martyrs of violence who inspired our youths to act with moral courage. Go youths go! Put us cowardly, complacent voters to shame with your commitment to veracity” published in the Catholic Messenger and Iowa City Press Citizen.

See more reactions togun violence on Page 7

- 2016 Chapter Commitment Statement

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. . . to our mission of living and promoting active nonviolence and peacemaking.

More Reactions to Gun ViolenceContinued from Page 6 Sister Phyllis Morris was in ministry in Peru when she became aware of the Parkland, Florida, shooting. The incident caused her to put pen to paper with a letter published in The Catholic Messenger and the Iowa City Press Citizen. Titled Is Anyone Paying Attention, the letter asks, “Doesn’t anyone notice…?… how hollow it is to fly flags at half-mast and ask for thoughts and prayers while, in the name of freedom, we do nothing to stop the slaughter of our young people in our schools?” A second letter written by Sister Phyllis was published in The Catholic Messenger, as a response to reader’s letter. A 12 year-old Sikh friend of Sister LaVern Olberding attended a gathering titled “A Faith

that Does Justice” at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San Diego in April and gave a speech, stating “. . . As my guru tells me — I am not good; nobody is bad. Only love can transform this society, not hate. Just like we cannot fight fire with fire, we cannot control guns with more guns.” Associate Lanie Lass, one of the organizers of March for Our Lives Clinton, wrote a letter encouraging the community to attend. “We can all ‘shine a light’ and promote nonviolence in a world filled with violent video games, movies and real-life violent tragedies which fill the news each day . . .”

To read more of the speeches, poems, and letters, email

office@clintonfranciscans.com

Friend of the court brief filing on immigration

The Clinton Franciscans along with more than 40faith-based groups, have signed on to an amicus brief in the Hawaii vs. Trump case which challenges President Trump’s executive order banning immigration and most travel from a group of predominantly Muslim countries. The Supreme Court heard arguments on the case on April 25. Reports say about 100 demonstrators stood outside in the rain, “holding up signs saying: ‘Refugees Welcome’ and ‘No Muslim Ban.’ The fairly small crowd should not belie the interest in this case, which received friend of the court briefs from Mormon history and legal scholars, a group of U.S. art museums, and Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father who criticized Trump at the 2016 Democratic National Convention,” according to Franciscanmedia.org.

by Sister Marjorie Wisor Retiring to The Canticle was not an easy decision for me because I thought that I wouldn’t have much to do. When I arrived in September, I was delighted to find I would be continuing the library work Sister Rosalie Noder

had inherited from Sister Teresa Ruggle. With help from Communications Assistant and Sojourner Shelly Seifert, we recatalogued hundreds of books, eliminated duplicates, reorganized the Portiuncula portion of the library, redesigned the layout in Mary’s Wellspring, posted

location signs for book categories, and created a space to display newly-acquired books.

Newly-acquired Books at The CanticleIlia Delio – A Hunger for Wholeness, Soul, Space, and TranscendenceEd. Juliet Mousseau and Sarah Kohles - In Our Own Words, Religious Life in a Changing world.Ed. Annamarie Sanders, IHM – However Long the Night, Making Meaning in a Time of CrisisThich Nhat Hanh – Living Buddha, Living Christ Joan Chittister – Between the Dark and the Daylight Pierre Teihard de Chardin – The Heart of the MatterCynthia Bourgeault – The Heart of Centering Prayer Ed. Ronald Numbers - Galileo Goes to JailRobert Llewelyn – All Shall Be Well: The Spirituality of Julian of Norwich for TodayJohn McQuiston II – Christianity without SuperstitionPeter Thompkins and Christopher Bird – The Secret Life of PlantsElizabeth Johnson – Creation and the CrossRichard Rohr – The Divine Dance

Sister Marjorie Wisor displays a new book in The Canticle Library. Photo by Kate Marlowe

Library Transitions

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- 2016 Chapter Commitment Statement

We affirm our charism of ongoing conversion and rededicate ourselvesto our mission of living and promoting active nonviolence and peacemaking.

June 10-15 - Summer retreat (see below)

July 16-20 - Summer Gathering

July 20 - Commissioning

July 21 - Jubilee

2018SummerSchedule

John Staszewski,son of Polish immigrants sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis after World War II – March 16, 2018. Gregory Mussmann, brother of former sister Lorraine Mussman – March 31, 2018. Monsignor Charles Lang, Mount St. Clare College president from 1986 to 1991 – April 5, 2018. Marjorie Frances Muller, sister of Associate Agnes Johnson – April 6, 2018.

Prayers Requested for

the Reposeof Souls

Sister Janet Ryan, of Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation of Chicago, visited the state capitol in Springfield, Illinois, on April 26 with Restore Justice Illinois to help advocate for the possibility of parole for youth. Restore Justice is working to make prison healthcare more affordable, ensuringin-person visiting rights for friends and family of Illinois prisoners, and reducing exorbitant phone call charges. Sister Janet spoke of the importance of establishing the possibility of parole to individuals who were convicted as youth and have served

Sister Janet Ryan and Jobi Cates, founder and executive director of Restore Justice Illinois, speak with a lobbyist in Springfield April 26. Contributed photo

Sister Janet Visits the Illinois State Captol

The Sisters of St. Francis are happy to announce

J O A N C H I T T I S T E R :H e r s t o r y, m y s t o r y, o u r s t o r y

A one-woman play about two women for all women . . . and men.

By Teri BaysPlaywright & Actress

Tuesday, May 22, 7 p.m.at The Canticle, Chapel

Free Admission! Refreshments to Fol low!

10-20 years. Others from Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation also spoke with Illinois legislators. “I felt It was an

important trip to make because we need to lobby for justice and compassion for those who have no voice,” said Sister Janet.

Call to Registerfor The Canticle

Summer Retreat —

The Call and The Challenge to

Keep in Touch — June 10-15 with Father Jim Bergin!