Several schools make Virtual Franciscan Friends

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

The Virtual Franciscan Friends program began five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque were looking for a way to stay connected and continue to spread teaching about Franciscan values.

According to Julie Tebbe, inviting and discerning minister with the Dubuque Franciscans, the program started in the 2020-21 school year and it “was such a positive experience for both the students and the sisters that we thought we’d continue to offer it each year.”

Participation increases
This year marked the largest group of participants yet with nine schools meeting virtually with the sisters. Six of those schools are from the Diocese of Sioux City: Boone Sacred Heart School, Carroll Kuemper School, Danbury Catholic School, Denison St. Rose of Lima School, Remsen St. Mary School and Sioux City Mater Dei School. Three schools are from the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

“It is a virtual program that meets monthly starting in October – right around St. Francis’ Feast Day on Oct. 4,” explained Tebbe. “There is a team of five to six sisters who are part of the program and two of them serve as guest sisters each month.”

Sister Marge Burkle, a Franciscan sister who is part of the program, pointed out that every month they meet with students across Iowa to the Franciscan story – both of St. Francis and the ways the sisters live his message as Franciscans.

“It is a joy to see their excitement and energy as we journey together through storytelling, reflection time and fun activities,” said Sister Marge. “The spirit of St. Francis is very alive as we meet together and discover more and more how this holy man continues to touch each of our lives.”

Building connections
The monthly Zoom meetings, noted Tebbe, provide a unique opportunity for connection and mutual sharing between the students and sisters.

Principal Molly Petersen of Danbury Catholic said she has appreciated the chance for her students to participate in the program.

Students a Danbury Catholic visit with the Franciscans.“The biggest value for this from my perspective is that it helped the students interact with sisters,” said the principal, who noted that they do have two priests who interact regularly with the students – the pastor and a retired priest. “We don’t have a lot of sisters in our area so the students don’t have the opportunity to interact with them so I really appreciate this.”
Sister Janice pointed out she enjoys seeing the students in their classrooms to experience their excitement and energy.

“They are always eager to participate. Since there aren’t many opportunities for children to interact with sisters in their parishes or schools, the Zoom sessions give them a chance to see and meet us,” she said.

Sister Mary Lou Reisch, OSF, called the program a creative and delightful way for the sisters to connect with youngsters in many schools.

“It is also a unique opportunity for students and teachers to share with other schools as they learn about St. Francis,” she said. “Julie Tebbe plans a short program around a faith theme which involves prayer, songs and activities. These Zoom sessions receive an enthusiastic response each time.”

The program was designed for third to fifth graders and occasionally sixth graders participate.

“Each session includes prayer, an activity, a story about St. Francis, learning more about a specific Franciscan value such as simplicity, prayer, reconciliation, love of creation, etc.,” said Tebbe. “One of the highlights of the session is called ‘Sister Sharing.’ This is a time when the guest sisters share on questions such as what is one thing you learned from this story about St. Francis? And/or how is God calling you to be more like St. Francis?”


Warnke mentioned she has had a close connection with the Franciscans through the years so she was drawn to the program and the promotion of Franciscan values.

“I had two aunts who were Franciscan nuns – (Sisters) Margaret Jungers and Theresa Jungers – and I grew up going to the convent in Dubuque. It was always near and dear to my heart,” said Warnke, who noted that the program she is involved in is similar but at the adult level.

Student reactions
Students from Danbury Catholic weighed in on the experience.

Samantha, a fourth grade student, said, “Catching the Franciscan spirit and learning more about St. Francis with Julie and the sisters was fun, especially the Zoom videos.”

Another Danbury Catholic fourth grader, Lauren, said, “I never knew St. Francis created the first Nativity scene.”

Hannah, a third grader at Danbury Catholic, said, “I learned how important it is to live life simple like Francis did.”

Having a bit of a baseball theme to the sessions, Warnke said Tebbe would end the meetings with the phrase, “Catch the Franciscan spirit.”

The teacher mentioned that the program could also be helpful in raising awareness about vocations. When they speak to students about vocations they have had the presence of priests but not religious sisters, so the Franciscan Friends has helped in that regard. 

Sister Lois Erpelding said the students and staff intently listen as they share examples of living Franciscan values.

“Students were eager to respond with their possible ways of living these same Franciscan values,” she said. “I value this intergenerational conversation as I could sense deepening awareness of these Franciscan values developing in our youth.”

While there isn’t a chance to meet the students face to face, Sister Janice mentioned that the students and teachers always look forward to seeing them throughout the year.

“The increasing number of schools that join the Zoom sessions each time indicates that this is rewarding to both teachers and students,” she said. “Of course, it is rewarding for us to share something about our lives and the life of St. Francis.”

Sister Rita Green, OSF, mentioned she has been involved with Franciscan Friends for several years and has enjoyed it “immensely.”

“It’s great fun to observe nine to 12 classrooms of students and their reactions to learning about St. Francis,” she said. “I hope I may continue to be involved with the Franciscan Friends Program for many years.”

For more information about this program, you can email Tebbe at [email protected].