ministries for our website

Clinton Franciscans, chosen by God and bonded in community, are called to a life of service to others. As ministers, we serve willingly and give from the fullness of that which we have received. As followers of St. Francis and St. Clare, we endeavor to be bearers of and makers of God's peace in the world through the practice of active nonviolence in our ministry.... We see every person as a visible image of the invisible God and as a sister or brother in Christ.

Harriet Rump OSF

Marilyn Shea OSF

Joan Holland OSF

Hilary Mullany OSF

Clinton Franciscans minister in eight states and in Chulucanas, Perú, and in many ways - in prayer and contemplation, in education, in pastoral and health care. Clinton Franciscans are providing religious education, spiritual direction, housing for the elderly, social work, peace and justice advocacy, and accompaniment for persons with developmental disabilities through L'Arche.

Click on the eight labeled state, or on Peru to learn more about where we serve.

Sister Harriet Rump received the Founder's Award for distinguished service to Ashford University at the 2006 Founders' Day celebration in April.

Sister Harriet graduated from Mount St. Clare Academy in 1949 and retired from the University in 2001 after 34 years of service. She was Chairperson of the Music Department for 10 years and is a member of both the Mount St. Clare College Hall of Fame and “Who's Who Among American Teachers.”

Sister Harriet holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in music and voice from DePaul University, Chicago, where she was a soloist with the DePaul University Community Symphony. She has also been soloist with the Clinton Symphony and for the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

In presenting the Award, Dr. Robert Engelson, chair of the University Music Department, noted that ever since his arrival on campus in 1995, Sister Harriet has been “our colleague, our friend, our conscience and a voice of experience that we have valued greatly.”

“She has been a sustaining, committed force and we have grown to depend on her wise and thoughtful advice,” he concluded in thanking her for the example her long leadership has provided.

Sister Marilyn Shea, [left in the photo above], an instructor in the School of Education at Ashford University where she also serves as coordinator of Practicum and Field Experience and Coordinator of the Education Credentials Files, was among a select group of Ashford faculty who were recently presented with special awards for excellence in their fields.

“Letters of support that came in for Sister Marilyn are a strong testimonial to her selflessness and dedication to teacher preparation for the past 11 years at Ashford University,” said Dr. Hope Gardina, Vice President of Academic Affairs, in presenting the award.

Before joining the Ashford faculty, Sister Marilyn served as principal of Sacred Heart and Trinity Catholic Schools, Clinton; and St. Justin Martyr Catholic School, St. Louis, Mo.

Joan Holland OSF was honored by St. Catherine of Alexandria School, Riverside, Calif., in February for her lifelong commitment to teaching and to students.

Joan is now the spiritual counselor at St. Catherine's. She was featured in an interview story in the Riverside Press-Enterprise newspaper headlined: “Riverside school feels blessed to have Sister Joan. St. Catherine of Alexandria School is honoring the woman who provides a guiding light.”

Joan taught in parish schools for nearly 50 years before moving into her current ministry of being present to those suffering with broken relationships.

“God seems to be calling me to places I wouldn't have thought of to heal the wounds of broken relationships among students, faculty, staff and their families,” said Sister Joan. “Seeing people making and maintaining productive relationships and solving problems drives my commitment to my ministry: my mission.”

The award presentation included a letter from her Clinton Franciscan community read by former St. Catherine principal, Clinton Franciscan Sister Marilyn Huegerich, who traveled to Riverside from Kentucky for the occasion.

former professor of speech and drama at Mount St. Clare College, now Ashford University, was “practically speechless” when the University named the recently renovated theater in her honor.

Sister Hilary came to Mount St. Clare when she entered the congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis in 1945. Raised in Macomb, Ill., she graduated from St. Mary's Academy, Nauvoo, Ill. She earned an associate degree from MSC College, and Bachelor's and Master's of Fine Arts degrees in theater from the Catholic University of America. She also holds a degree in liturgical music.

“If the walls of this theater could talk, " said Dr. Michael Kaelke, another Macomb native and the first president of Ashford U., “they would be talking about Sister Hilary. She has been working in here, teaching and directing, designing sets and building them, for more than half the life of this building. It is only appropriate that we recognize the dedicated leadership and service of this tireless educator."

In addition to her work at the University, Sister Hilary serves on the Board of Directors of the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre. She appears in showboat productions regularly and has appeared in Circa 21 productions in Rock Island.

"This theater has been my life, my home, and I am so grateful that you love it, too, and that it will be maintained," said Sister Hilary as she accepted bouquets of flowers and read the plaque bearing her name that hangs outside the theater door.