MISSION STATEMENT

The Sisters of St. Francis accept creation as a gift from God.  We commit ourselves to respect and care for the earth, especially the land entrusted to us in Clinton, Iowa.  We will preserve and restore the plant system which is native to Iowa wherever possible.  We will study the underlying causes of environmental damage and recommend practical ways to bring about solutions.  As part of caring for the earth, we will live a simple communal life, conserve natural resources, share our convictions with others, and thus hopefully improve the quality of life for all.

RATIONALE

• Like St. Francis, we reverence all of creation and we respect the goods we use as gifts from God.  We also live simply, both individually and as community.

Sisters of St. Francis Constitutions, # 17

• We choose to nurture our Franciscan spirituality of compassion, courage and connectedness with all creation.

Commitment Statement, General Chapters, 1992, 1996

• Good ecological design provides biological diversity.  The good use of materials and water can restore damaged ecosystems.  It can reduce costs, provide water management, and allow diversity and the interconnectedness of ecosystems.

Jim Patchett, Conservation Design Forum, Inc.

PLAN

We shall restore the natural ecosystem on much of the 50 acres surrounding the new residence.

We shall:

1. Use natural water management

2. Restore the native plants of the tall-grass prairie

3. Maintain, improve, and even expand edible landscape

4. Provide pathways and areas of contemplation

EVANGELICAL/FRANCISCAN LIFE

Living the evangelical life, the Gospel life, is the Franciscan form of life.  Any committed Christian is called to Gospel values, so where is the difference?

Franciscans intend to live the whole Gospel.  They are engaged in many forms of work. Any honest occupation can be performed by a Franciscan. it is the way of working, and not the work itself, that expresses a Franciscan character.  Marked by simplicity and generosity, our lives are centered on persons rather than products.

Franciscans are attempting to live in closer identification with the poor.   The option in not only to be "for" the poor, but to be with them, living as they live.

Another related part of Franciscan life is peace-making.  Right relationships with all creation is a reality as all goodness comes from God.  We are brother and sister to one another in this relationship.

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2004 COUNCIL  -  WHEN WE GATHER  -  FRANCISCANISM  -  JUBILEE