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The four Franciscan orders share the core of Franciscan spirituality: to live the gospel radically. They are all concerned about renewal of life. We Clinton Franciscan sisters are members of the family identified as Third Order Regular (TOR). The first Franciscan order is the Friars Minor; the second is the Poor Clare Sisters; and the Franciscan penitential tradition includes the TORs and the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO). We're not different from one another, only distinct from one another. |
The Call
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To answer our Franciscan call, Chosen by God and bonded in community, we have chosen a life of service to others. We have come to recognize peacemaking as the heart of the Franciscan charism and we seek to fulfill our role as "messengers of peace" in today's world. |
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For more information about living the Franciscan way contact: sisters@clintonfranciscans.com
or write: Clinton, Iowa 52732
or call: |
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John said, "Look, there is the lamb of God." Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned around and said, "What do you want?" They answered, "Teacher, where do you live?" "Come and see," he replied. John 1:37-39 (adapted) We invite you to "Come along" Deepen your relationship with God Experience Franciscan community life Discern God's call for you at a "Come and See" weekend at For more information contact: sisters@clintonfranciscans.com, or write: Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa 52732; or call 563-242-7611. |
Essential values of a life lived in common Unconditional Love. We are called to challenge each other, to be faithful to Eucharist, to have honest dialogue, to develop our spiritual side, and to open our circles to everyone. We must be conscious of those who are not at the table with us. Accountability. The external structures of community change. Community for us today is not about living in one building or one place. It is the accountability of community that is important. The gospel life, Franciscan traditions, Chapter calls, and daily interconnectedness constitute the common vision. Seeing life as gift, we find value in all creation and move into this way of being. Together in the circle of gift, we are in communion with the poorest of the poor; embracing our God there; knowing that we cannot attain that communion alone; that together we are a singular, powerful voice for change. We seek out others who understand this call.
"The spirit of love in the circle of gift" by Clinton Franciscan Sister Carmel Jacobs Ongoing Conversion. Appreciating reality, we know that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Our world is global/cosmic. We strive for a way of living and being that integrates peace and justice - a nonviolent way of life. The reality is that we are vulnerable at all times. Conversion, forgiveness and healing are essentials for the Franciscan way of life. |
 “Sister
Sisters” – a not uncommon occurrence in religious congregations
throughout history.When St. Clare of Assisi founded her community of Poor Clare Sisters, her own sister, Agnes, was one of the first women to join her. Later, Clare’s mother, Ortolana, also joined the cloistered community. Forty-four families can count more than one of their daughters as Clinton Franciscans, including ten families who had three sisters as members of the relatively small congregation. And there have been at least one set of twin sisters – Sister Baptista and Sister Baptista Fitzgerald who took vows together.  Living
at The Canticle in Clinton now are two sets of “sister Sisters,” Sister
Rose and Sister Beatrice Griffin and Sister Mary Ann and Sister Anne
Martin Phelan, plus Sister Mary Francis Burke whose sister, Donna, is a
pastoral minister in Jesup, Ia., and Sister Catherine Lodder and Sister
Mary of the Angels Klein whose “sister Sisters” are now deceased.Sister Catherine Lodder, who has been a Clinton Franciscan for 83 years, entered at the same time as her older sister, Sister Henrietta. They were from Marceline, Mo., and were taught by Clinton Franciscans at St. Bonaventure Parish School. “We were together at Mount St. Clare Convent as postulants and novices,” she recalled, “but, although we were both teachers, we were never stationed at the same school together.” “Our mother was happy that we were both entering the same congregation,” she said. “We didn’t talk much about our vocations. We just took it for granted that we would be sisters. We got to know the sisters who taught us. We used to help out after school. The parish was so poor that the sisters lived in a section of the school and had to share their dining room for parish suppers.”  Sister
Beatrice Griffin and her sister, Sister Rose, have lived and worked
together for the last 22 years after not working together most of their
adult lives. They were taught by Clinton Franciscans in Varina, Ia.
“Sister Mercedes personified the Franciscan spirit with her kindness and
generosity to the poor and sick,” said Sister Rose. “She is who inspired
me.” Her younger sister Bea planned to be a Maryknoll missionary but changed her mind after visiting MSC Convent. “The one thing I knew growing up was that I would never join the convent,” said Sister Bea. “That was until I had worked at several jobs after high school and I knew there had to be more to life!” Both sisters devoted their lives to education as teachers, librarian and administrator. “Education is the most important ministry,” stated Sister Rose, who also served as the first licensed pastoral minister at The Alverno Health Care Facility. Sister Bea is now the Assisted Living Coordinator at The Canticle. The Griffins have an aunt and two cousins who were/are Clinton Franciscans.  Sister
Mary of the Angels Klein joined the Clinton Franciscans one month before
her sister, Sister Camilla, entered. They shared those years of
preparation but were never stationed together during their long careers
as teachers. Sister Mary, as an art teacher and later a pastoral
minister, served primarily in California, while her sister Sister was
teaching music and piano at Mount St. Clare.“I knew I wanted to be a sister for as long as I can remember and a Franciscan since eighth grade,” said Sister  Mary, “but everyone was surprised when my sister announced that
she too was joining the Clinton Franciscans. We had been in the same
class since fourth grade, but we were very different. Cami was my model!
We enjoyed the few years we had together in retirement here at The
Canticle. We prayed together as we had growing up”Sister Mary Francis Burke, who served as a teacher and principal at the former Sacred Heart School in Clinton, was the second girl in her family to enter religious life. Her older sister was a Mercy Sister and a nurse. “When Ruth and I talked with our Dad about becoming sisters he said, “We just want you to be happy.”  “The Franciscans loved my mother, Maudie McClintock
Burke, who had studied at MSC Academy,” explained Sister Francis. “I’m
sure that’s why they welcomed me. Donna and I didn’t talk much about our
vocations, but when she was considering which congregation to enter,
Mother definitely steered her to Clinton.” Sister Donna served as
principal at the former St. Patrick and Seton schools in Clinton.
Sister Mary Ann Phelan also planned on being a Maryknoll Missionary since her  youth.
Then, on the advice of her parish priest, Father McEleney in Valeria
Parish in Clinton County, she enrolled at Mount St. Clare College. A
year later she entered the Clinton Franciscans. Her younger sister
followed her to MSC and a year later she too was a postulant.“Mary Ann and I never served in the same convent or even the same state for twenty-five years, said Sister Anne Martin. We visited only during holidays and summer retreat times, until 1996 when I left teaching and school administration to join her in development work in Clinton.” Sister Mary Ann established the development office at MSC College. They are still working together, running the development office for the congregation and loving it. “It’s great,” said Sister Mary Ann. “We like our ministry and we like working together. It has heightened the level of our relationship. Our family (they had 5 brothers) loves it, too: They know they can count on lots of prayers!” Commenting on their personal responses to their call to religious life, all said that they never felt influenced by their sibling’s choice, but all noted the strong faith life of their parents.”We prayed the Rosary daily as a family,” said Sister Rose, and everyone else said they had also. The call to religious life for all was a family affair. picture 1 - “Sister-Sisters” gathered at The Canticle, home of the Clinton Franciscans, to reflect on the vocations they share with their siblings. Back row, l. to r. – Mary Francis Burke OSF and Beatrice Griffin OSF. Front row, l. to r. – Mary of the Angels Klein OSF, Catherine Lodder OSF and Rose Griffin OSF picture 2 - Sister Baptist and Sister Baptista Fitzgerald celebrate their golden Jubilees in 1968 picture 3 -Sister Rose and Sister Bea Griffin picture 4 - Sister Mary of the Angels and Sister Camilla Klein picture 5 -Sister Mary Francis and Sister Donna Burke (Clinton Franciscans) and their older sister Ruth, (formerly Sister Michael, a Religious Sister of Mercy. picture 6 - Sister Donna and Sister Mary Francis Burke, today picture 7 - Sister Anne Martin and Sister Mary Ann Phelan |
Reflections on Community
An authentic faith community
invites diversity, not because it is politically correct, but because diverse viewpoints are demanded whenever two or three are gathered in God's name.
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Clinton Franciscans and friends prepare for the offertory procession in a Liturgy of the Word held at The Canticle in honor of International Women’s Day. Left to right: Marilyn Huegerich osf, Maria Zeimen osf, Chicago; and in front of her, 8-year-old Angie Pretz, Clinton; The Honorable LaMetta Wynn, Mayor of the City of Clinton, Evelyn McKenna osf, Chicago; Anne Martin Phelan osf, Clinton. |
We embrace ambiguity
not because we are confused or indecisive but because we understand the inadequacy of our concepts to embrace the vastness of the mystery of God.
We experience humility
not because we have fought and lost, but because humility is the only lens through which truth can be seen, and once we have seen it, humility is the only posture possible.
The challenge
for those of us who have embraced the life of the Third Order Regular is to do what Francis did.
By penance, Francis was not talking so much about external acts of mortification or prayers as he was talking about the internal disposition of conversion - of constantly turning to the Lord and living the spirit and life of the gospel.
In the penitential tradition, true faith and on-going conversion of heart - the total and continuous giving of self to God - are the primary and distinct characteristics.
That is the Franciscan way of the Third Order Regular.
The Initial Discernment Process
God sent the Spirit in baptism to call each of us to a fuller life in Christ. Our response in faith is a life-long commitment to continual conversion of life. Called by God to participate in the mission of Jesus, our growing relationship with God causes us to move outward in service to others.
Philosophy of Discernment, Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton
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Young women from the Clinton area spent a "Come and See" weekend at The Canticle getting to know Sisters and experiencing first hand the meaning of community life and prayer. |
#1 - A candidate
A woman interested in exploring her call to religious life may choose to become a "Candidate" during a simple welcome ceremony. Without necessarily moving from her home or work, for six months to a year she participates in congregational gatherings and meets regularly with the Initial Discernment Coordinator. She will also gain a "mentoring circle" - a small group of sisters, associates and friends who will help her process her experiences, and a professionally trained spiritual advisor.
#2 -A novice
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Having decided to pursue her call to religious life, a woman becomes a "novice" - an apprentice, learning the Franciscan way and integrating into the mission of the Clinton Franciscans by living in community with other sisters and participating fully in community life and prayer while continuing to meet with her mentoring circle and spiritual advisor. Maintaining an active ministry, she will study Scripture, the writings of Francis and Clare, the TOR Rule, the social teachings of the Church and the Clinton Franciscan Chapter commitments. During her canonical year, she will study the vows, theology, Scripture, prayer and Franciscan spirituality as well as the Constitutions and Directives of the Clinton Franciscans. And, as a volunteer, she will engage in a ministry experience with poor and marginalized persons. |
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Novice Sarah Martz, center, with Janice Cebula OSF, President of the congregation (left) and Gael Gensler OSF, Initial Discernment Director (right). Sarah completed her Canonical Year in the summer of 2009 and is currently in her apostolic year. |
#3 - First Vows -
Temporary Profession
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Choosing to formally enter religious life, a woman requests of the congregation permission to take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as a Clinton Franciscan for three years. She will enter fully into the life of the congregation, living in community and pursuing active ministry. She also continues in the initial discernment process which culminates in final vows. |
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Sister Janet Ryan posed with her parents, Phyllis
and James Ryan of Woburn, Mass., |
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#4. ~Final vows ~
Perpetual Profession
A Sister may stay in temporary profession for up to nine years while she continues to discern her call to Gospel life as a vowed Clinton Franciscan. Perpetual vows bind her to the congregation and the Church for life.
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“Through the power of your grace and blessings and in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare, I humbly come before you, loving God, freely, lovingly, willingly, peacefully and joyfully to deepen my baptismal commitment by professing my perpetual vows with the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa.” So saying, Kathleen Sadler OSF, a native of Jesup, Iowa, made her permanent vows during Eucharistic Liturgy at Sacred Heart Church, Prince of Peace Parish. The October 2004 ceremony was the first rite of permanent profession the congregation has celebrated in over 10 years. For Sister Kathleen, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream. |
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50-Year Jubilarians posed with Most Rev. Martin Amos, Bishop of Davenport, before the celebration of their Jubilee Mass at Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Church in Clinton on Saturday, August 1, 2009. L. to R. – Deborah Schneider OSF, Bishop Amos, Marilyn Huegerich OSF, and Annamarie Marcalus OSF.
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