INTERCOM NEWSLETTER OF THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS, CLINTON, IOWA MAY JUNE 2017

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

Dr. Maureen McCue talks about nuclear disarmament “Nuclear weapons are the last of the weapons of mass destruction not yet prohibited," said Dr. Maureen McCue to the crowd at The Canticle June 22. "Biological and chemical weapons, landmines, and cluster munitions are all banned under international law,” she continued. The Franciscan Peace Center asked McCue, coordinator for the Iowa Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, to speak in Clinton on nuclear disarmament to coincide with meetings of 130 world leaders at the United Nations working to create a strong treaty to abolish nuclear weapons. “Risks of a nuclear exchange threatening all humanity are at the highest level in decades, as is the need to protect basic life supports like food, water, and the environment. In such an unsettling time, the world realizes the time to stop courting catastrophe and ban these weapons is now,” she continued. “It’s very timely to come back to this issue,” she said. Why now? Dr. McCue cites more than one reason as to why the long-dormant issue of nuclear disarmament is being awakened this year, putting the new U.S. president at the top of the list, saying, “The president has made

Dr. Maureen McCue

people nervous. I think people are increasingly concerned about having someone in charge of the arsenal who has little restraint.” In addition to statements made by the president about the use of nuclear weapons, the number of terrorists worldwide is growing. “It used to be we agreed that Mutually Assured Destruction would keep us from using nuclear weapons but now we have people who just don’t care about death because in dying they will become martyrs,” she said. A 30-minute film, Hiroshima: Repentance and Renewal, was shown before Dr. McCue's talk. Referring to footage of victims' burns and injuries in the film, Dr.

McCue said “The Red Cross says there is no adequate medical response, no humanitarian response to the radiation sickness, the burns, the starvation, and epidemic disease that come with a nuclear explosion.” Dr. McCue concluded the evening by answering questions and urging the audience to call Nikki Haley, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and Iowa Senator Joni Ernst. She suggested asking Haley to ensure that the United States take part in the current U.N. negotiations and urging Senator Ernst to pass legislation prohibiting the president from launching a nuclear first strike without authorization from Congress. She also talked about the importance of the Mayors for Peace program, of which Clinton Mayor Mark Vulich is a member. Gary Heath, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Ashford University, reiterated Dr. McCue’s words, saying “We need more nuclear diplomacy immediately as well as protocols to prevent miscommunication and miscalculation. We must manage the unthinkable in the near-term in order to buy time for the Global Zero movement to work. It can and will work. It must work.”

- 2016 Chapter Commitment Statement

"We affirm our charism of ongoing conversion and rededicate ourselves to living and promoting active nonviolence and peacemaking."

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Jubilarians. Sister Yvonne Gehant (center) and Sister Michael Marie Burns (right) celebrated their 70- and 60- year Jubilees with an “in-house” celebration on May 25. Father Jim Bergin (left) celebrated Mass and joined the Sisters for a celebration dinner at The Canticle.

Franciscan Federation Annual Conference The Franciscan Federation Annual Conference was held June 16-19 in Buffalo, New York. All congregations in the federation were asked to select a member to be honored at a banquet held June 18 based on this year's conference theme, “Bonaventure’s Journey into God, Franciscan Inspiration for the 21st Century." Sister William McCue was chosen by the Sisters of St. Francis as their member who best fits the criteria: A Franciscan who embodies the best of our teaching tradition and someone who, in her ministry, embodies the values of being incarnational, personal, communal, transformative, engaging the heart, and developing servant-leaders. Sisters Marilyn Huegerich and Deborah Schneider, Sojourners Diana Hughes and Lou and Gabriela Egging, and Associate Lanie Lass attended the banquet to see Sister William receive her award. Inspired by the words of Pope Francis in Laudato Si', the Franciscan Federation of the Sisters and Brothers of the Third Order Regular of the U.S., and Associates, made a pledge “to stand

Sister William McCue (second from left) was honored at the 2017 Franciscan Federation Banquet held June 18. Pictured with her are (from left) Lou and Gabriela Egging and Sister Deborah Schneider.

in solidarity with Native American People in care of their land and of our Sister, Mother Earth.” The resolution was affirmed at the conference.

We welcome newly-hired employees Dakota Ebensberger and Deb Hayes. Dakota, a senior at Clinton High School, is working in the maintenance department as a groundskeeper this summer. Deb is an addition to the kitchen cooking staff at The Canticle. She was previously employed at the Sarah Harding Home. Deb

Hayes

Welcome new employees

Dakota Ebensberger

“Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork, it is essential to the life of virtue; it is not an option or a secondary aspect of our Christian life.”

Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home #217

Worthy of note . . .

Franciscans take part in the Good Friday

Walk for Justice

Sisters attend ordination of Bishop Zinkula

Sisters Janice Cebula, Marilyn Huegerich, Kathleen Holland, Hilary Mullany and Jeanne d'Arc Untz attended the ordination of Bishop Thomas Zinkula, who will serve as bishop for the Diocese of Davenport. Retiring Bishop Martin Amos served as bishop since 2006.

Sister Annamarie Marcalus attends Iowa UN board meeting

Sister Annamarie Marcalus represented the Clinton Franciscans at the Iowa (Johnson County Branch) of the United Nations board meeting in Cedar Rapids May 6. The group discussed the continued implementation of the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Sisters of St. Francis have been members of this board for many decades. Sister Elizabeth Cameron, OSF represented the Clinton Franciscans for many years.

Ruth E. Westmoreland, OSF, sworn in as CASA

Sister Ruth E. Westmoreland was sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) by Judge Phillip Tabor of

the Clinton County Juvenile Court on May 24. She will work with children who are in the foster care system due to abuse or neglect. “Essentially, I will be the 'eyes and ears of the court' and will work with all the children in a family from the time they are assigned by the court until they leave the juvenile justice system,” said Sister Ruth E. “My job is to see that the children's needs are being met, and their wishes are

honored if possible.” Sister Ruth E. will be a CASA for Clinton County. She completed training through the county and has already been assigned her first case. “This will be a key activity of my retirement,” she said.

Sister Ruth E. Westmoreland and Judge Phillip Tabor

Sisters Marilyn Huegerich, Kathleen Holland, and Janice Cebula welcome Bishop Zinkula. Photo by Janelle Kross

Sister Janet Ryan and Chicago Associates Sandy Walshon, Mary Jo Harper, and Helen Bleth participated in Chicago's 37th Annual Good Friday Walk for Justice sponsored by the 8th Day Center for Justice on April 14. "The 2017 theme, 'Imagine, Honoring Our Visions of Justice' was a beacon of hope in light of current challenges faced by those living on the margins," said Sister Janet Ryan. "A group of about 200 wound its way through downtown Chicago moving prayerfully from station to station. The Associates and Sisters were invited to create and lead the prayer and song for the 6th station," she said. "Access to Healthcare" signs highlighting the need for accessible healthcare were made by Chicago Sisters Sarah Martz, Maria Zeimen, Emily Brabham, and Janet Ryan. Associate Helen Bleth also helped create the signs.

Sojourner Dick Roberts honored with Human Rights Award

Congratulations to Sojourner Richard “Dick” Roberts of Clinton. The Clinton Human Rights Commission awarded Dick with the 13th annual Human Rights Award. The award acknowledges persons or groups who embody the spirit of human rights. The award ceremony was held in Clinton City Hall Council Chambers on May 22.

Chicago Associates Sandra Walshon (from left), and Helen Bleth, Sister Janet Ryan, and

Chicago Associate Mary Jo Harper display the posters they carried in the

Good Friday Walk for Justice in Chicago.

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Sisters and Associates attend the annual CARMA conference

Sisters Kathleen Holland and Ann Martinek and Associates Lanie Lass, Sandy Jacobsen, and Deb Jacobsen were among 170 vowed members and associates from 13 congregations at the 2017 Conference of Associates and Religious of the Midwest Area (CARMA) Biennial Conference, "Intimate Mission: from Charism Partners to Mutual Communion" held in Dubuque on April 29. The day was led by co-presenters Sr. Gabriele Uhlein, Wheaton Franciscan, and Jeanne Connolly, Director of the Wheaton Franciscan Covenant Companions and Vice President the North American Conference of Associates and Religious (NACAR). "Attending with fellow Associates Sandy Jacobs and Deb Jacobsen was an inspiring experience," said Lanie Lass. "Sandy and I attended the CARMA Conference in 2015, and as a new associate at the time, most of the material presented was way over my head. Two years later, although there is still so much for me to learn, the sessions . . . made sense," Lanie continued. "This year's focus was on charism and transformation," said Lanie. "Approximately 55,000 NACAR Associates and Sojourners in North America are a part of sharing the message of God's love in community as one in the Spirit and flourishing together with vowed members. Jeanne shared a quote by Robert Quinn about community as people 'who can effectively pursue a common purpose while also growing individually', which matches well to why I love being part of the Clinton Franciscan Family," Lanie continued. "In addition to input from the presenters, the participants were led in times of contemplation, small group sharing, and personal sharing to gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of the relationship of associates and vowed members," Sister Kathleen shared. "The focus needs to be relationship (in community there is no 'I', only 'We') vs. doing. The associate relationship is a way of life (to a community, not an individual) and by collaborating with vowed members the charism, mission, and purpose of the congregation is kept alive," she added. "The day came to a close with some encouragements: Be open to new ways of doing things; be proactive in creating your desired future; be invitational not recruitment-minded; keep the charism, mission, and purpose paramount; and finally, be a witness to a world desperately in need of examples of community, commitment, call and contemplative living," said Sister Michelle Balek, OSF, Dubuque, in an article she wrote for CARMA.

Click HERE to read the article.

Sister Ann Martinek (left) and Sister Kathleen Holland (right) attend the CARMA Conference with Associates (left to right) Lanie Lass, Sandy Jacobs, and Deb Jacobsen.

Internationally-reputed speaker

MARIE DENNIS Co-president of

Pax Christi International

presents

Active Nonviolence: Building JUST PEACE in a polarized world

Monday, July 24, 7 p.m. Rastrelli’s Tuscany Center

2417 Cleveland Street, Clinton, Iowa

A critical message for our time!

Winner of the 2016 Public Peace Prize, Marie Dennis is a voice for peace and

nonviolence from the grassroots to a global level.

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton www.clintonfranciscans.com

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At Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, we accompany one another through joys, sorrows, challenges and all that life brings to our Back of the Yards, neighborhood in Chicago. Recently we invited our neighbors to join us in a Forgiveness Circle with the hope of creating a space to reflect on what prevents us from inner freedom, healing and peace. About 20 of us gathered outside in our circle space located in our peace garden, near our labyrinth. After the welcoming, introductions and check-in, we listened to testimonies from two members of our community – one who had served time for his involvement in the death of a young teen named Pedro, and the other from Pedro’s sister. They shared how, about 25 years after Pedro’s death, their families connected through an eight-hour peace circle, and of the long process of reconciliation and forgiveness. Their stories were humbling and heartbreaking. We sat in silence, for several moments, honoring

Forgiveness circle creates space for reflection and healing

By Janet Ryan, OSF what we had heard. Then each of us was invited to jot down what/whom we needed to forgive or be forgiven by. Holding the slips of paper, we walked the labyrinth reciting the mantra, “I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.” When we finished, we gathered back in the circle where each person placed his/her paper in the fire pit in the center of the circle symbolizing letting go of whatever prevented our hearts from loving, forgiving, and living in peace. Br. Juan, of Precious Blood, reminded us that we all have violence within us and that we are part of the violence in our neighborhood. We must choose to be intentional about healing and forgiveness. We closed with a checkout in which everyone spoke of the power of the circle and his/her gratitude for attending. Darryn, a staff member from the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago, said, “I have been doing this work for a long time, and I have never experienced something like that.” Afterward, everyone came into the Precious Blood Center for food, drink, and visiting.

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Prayers requested for the repose of souls:

Norma Marcalus, cousin of Annamarie Marcalus, who passed away on April 7, 2017 William Soerries, cousin of Sister Jackie Herrmann, who passed away April 20, 2017. Kenneth Kunkel, brother of Sister Teresa Kunkel, who passed away May 22, 2017.

Perry Schneider, uncle of Sister Deborah Schneider, who passed away July 1, 2017.

Father R. Michael Schaab facilitated the summer retreat "Seeking God, We Stumble upon Ourselves” held at The Canticle during the last week of June. Reviews of the retreat were very positive: – "The contemplative nature of Father Mike’s retreat was the most meaningful to me. Father’s handouts and his gift of storytelling enhanced the content for individual and communal contemplation. His 'Toyota' account gave me new insights into dependence upon God. I hope to deepen those connections into my daily life. The Trinity Sunday

Summer retreat at The Canticle

Father Michael Schaab

reading hallmarks: rejoice, mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another and live in peace are a call and a challenge for our journey into God. Father genuinely radiated his love of the Scriptures and Francis and Clare’s following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ."

– Sister William McCue

– "The retreat was wonderful. I liked how Father Mike brought his personal experiences into his presentations, which made it very meaningful for me. I especially liked the story he shared about the birth of his niece."

– Sister Theresa Judge

– "Father Mike was so real. His conversations (not preaching) were practical and something we are able to live. His approach was very inclusive and gentle – what good examples of living as Franciscans."

– Sister Paschal Hocum

Sister Ruth Cox and her Prince of Peace fifth-grade pen pal Madison Schnier (left) enjoy lunch during a visit at The Canticle on May 12. Everyone enjoyed birthday cake to celebrate Sister Ruth's special day.

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Father Michael visits The Canticle the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m., followed by a conference. He celebrates Mass at 9 a.m. on Friday. We are ever grateful he was able to facilitate our retreat when Ann Amati, OSF, was unable to do so.

Community Leader of the Year Award

Lori Freudenberg, Community Outreach Director for the Franciscan Peace Center, nominated Tom Parker for the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leader of the Year Award for his passion for education and tireless promotion of the Getting To Yes program. The Franciscan Peace Center started the Getting to Yes program in 2015 and has trained 30 community leaders on this "win-win" process of negotiation.

Lori Freudenberg presents Tom Parker with the Community Leader of the Year Award.

Photo by KTography