Celebrating Jubilee in 2020
Three Clinton
Franciscan Sisters will celebrate Jubilee, their anniversary of entrance into religious
life, this summer. Sisters Mary Francis Burke, Hilary Mullany, and William
McCue have a combined 220 years of service to God's people. A public Mass and celebration have
been postponed due to the current pandemic.
Sister Mary Francis Burke celebrates 75 years of religious life. She
was born in Charlotte, IA, and graduated from St. Joseph High School, DeWitt. Sister
Francis taught in a rural Clinton County school for one year prior to entering
the Sisters of St. Francis in September 1945. She professed final vows in
August 1951.
Sister Francis
received an A.A. degree from Mount St. Clare College, Clinton; a B.A. in
Elementary Education from the College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN; and an M.A.
from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA.
Sister Francis
began her ministry as a primary teacher in parochial schools in Oak Lawn,
Chicago, and Rochelle, IL; Maysville, KY; and Victor and Lidderdale, IA. She
was among the first group of Clinton Franciscans to serve internationally,
helping establish Mary Star of the Sea School in Freeport, Grand Bahama, in
1960. This school accepted children of all ethnic backgrounds and played a
major role in the education of Black children in Freeport. Sister Francis later
ministered as teacher and/or principal in schools in Clinton, DeWitt, and
Perry, IA; Reedley and El Cajon, CA; and Chicago Heights, IL.
Besides her
career in education, Sister Francis assisted in the occupational therapy
department at The Alverno, Clinton, for three years and as director at Mount
St. Clare Convent for six years. Additionally, she served as a home health care
aide in Clinton, DeWitt, and Lake Havasu City, AZ.
Sister Francis
retired from active ministry in 2006. In the Franciscan spirit of care for
creation, she was often found outdoors at The Canticle picking produce or
tending flower beds. She moved to The Alverno in November 2017, where she
currently resides.
Sister Hilary Mullany, a native of Macomb, IL, celebrates 75
years of religious life. She attended St. Paul's Elementary School in Macomb
and Mount St. Clare Academy in Clinton, and graduated from St. Mary's Academy,
Nauvoo, IL, in 1945.
Sister Hilary
entered the Sisters of St. Francis in September 1945, and professed final vows
in August 1951. She earned an A.A. degree from Mount St. Clare College; a B.A.
in Liturgical Music from the University of Montreal, Canada; and a B.F.A. and
an M.F.A. in Fine Arts from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.
Sister Hilary
taught elementary school and music in Chicago and Oak Lawn, IL; and Clinton and
Danbury, IA; before beginning a twenty-year career teaching speech and drama at
Mount St. Clare Academy and College. She also directed the theatre program,
including children's theatre and one-act play festivals.
For thirteen
years, she served as media coordinator for the Diocese of Davenport, IA, and
co-produced the half-hour television programs, "Real to Reel." She served on
the congregation's leadership team from 1984 to 2002, returning to Mount St.
Clare College in 1987. She ministered as assistant to the President in charge
of continuing education and cultural activities. She continued part-time
ministry at the college from 1994 to 2002 as Alumni Counselor, and later as
Communication and Resource Coordinator.
Sister Hilary
is a former board member of: Davenport Diocesan Communications Advisory Board,
Diocesan Catholic Relief Service, Campaign for Human Development Advisory
Board, Diocesan Social Action, The Alverno Health Care Facility, Sisters United
News of the Upper Mississippi Valley, and Clinton Community Theatre.
Sister Hilary
currently serves as a board member for the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre. She previously
performed in some of its productions as well as being a guest performer at the
Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island, IL.
In 2002, she
received the Poverello Award for distinguished serve to society awarded by the
Mount St. Clare Board of Trustees. In 2005, the theater at Ashford University
was renamed the Sister Hilary Mullany Theater in her honor. She was
named the 2007 YWCA Clinton Woman of Achievement. In 2011, she was recognized
as a Franciscan Federation Peacemaker Honoree.
Sister Hilary
retired in 2014, and currently resides at The Canticle. She devotes her time to
the liturgy committee, chapel environment, and Compassion Circle.
Sister William McCue celebrates 70 years of religious life.
A native of Sterling, IL, she attended St. Mary Elementary School and graduated
from Catholic Community (now Newman) High School, Sterling, in 1950. She joined
the Sisters of St. Francis in September 1950, professing final vows in August
1956.
Sister William
earned an A.A. degree from Mount St. Clare College; a B.A. in Philosophy from
Creighton University, Omaha, NE; and an M.A. in Theology from University of
Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN. She did further study at St. Bonaventure
University, Allegany, NY, and participated in Franciscan study/pilgrimages to
Assisi and Rome.
Sister
William's lifelong ministry was in the field of education, including
elementary, secondary, and university levels. She taught at schools in Clinton;
Rochelle and Chicago, IL; and Chino, CA. She taught at Mount St. Clare Academy
from 1966 until its closing in 1980, and at Mount St. Clare College beginning
in 1964. During her tenure there, Mount St. Clare College grew from a junior
college to a four-year college, and subsequently advanced to university status,
undergoing several name changes in the process.
Sister William
served as chair of the philosophy/religious studies department and humanities
division. She moderated the Sophomore Honor Society. In May 2009, she received
the Founders Award for distinguished service to Mount St. Clare College. She
also received the Faculty Excellence for Teaching Award from Ashford University.
Sister William retired from teaching in 2015 and earned Professor Emerita
status.
In addition to
her teaching career, Sister William served for two years as postulant director
for young women seeking admission to the Sisters of St. Francis and was co-founder
of the congregation's Associate Partnership.
During
retirement, Sister William continues to lead discussion sessions about the Rule
of St. Francis and the life of St. Clare for her peers at The Canticle. She
assists with the Franciscan Peace Center's Share Our Sandwiches program,
volunteers in The Canticle reception office, and has been helping cut fabric
for the Clinton County Mask Taskforce. Her hobby is needle work, especially knitting
and cross-stitch.