This is an archive page from a previous bus tour. Not all links may be operational. Current Nuns on the Bus information can be found at www.nunsonthebus.org.
St. Paul Town Hall
Our Third Day in Minnesota
By Sister Kerry O'Reilly, OSB
September 24, 2014
Our third and final day was full and combined what we did
in the two previous days. We talked to students about being part of the 100%
and the importance of their voice at the table. We also had a Town Hall.
However, the day began as no other, with an interfaith
breakfast with Senator Al Franken and his wife, Frannie. We nuns, Peg
Chamberlin of Minnesota Council of Churches, Rev. Meg Riley, the social justice
coordinator of the Unitarian Church, along with Doran Schrantz from ISAIAH,
were gathered with Senator Franken. We met at the Daily Diner, a new enterprise
of the Gospel Mission that provides opportunities for people dealing with
poverty and addiction to work and learn skills at the Diner. As a group of faith
leaders and an elected official, we talked and listened and even analyzed a bit
our present reality. A new definition from Senator Franken: ‘Hope is your
prayers answered.'
After Senator and Mrs. Franken signed on the bus, we
moved to St. Catherine University where we had the privilege of
meeting Fourth District Congresswoman Betty McCollum. She listened as we spoke
about what these days have meant to us and we listened as she talked about her
values and priorities.
Our final Town Hall was also the largest, filling the
ballroom of St. Kate’s. Sister Simone gave her energetic
explanation of what this bus tour is all about, why we needed to do it and why
we need now to talk to each other. We Minnesota nuns asked our questions and
people buzzed and talked and came up with concerns and then solutions to what
we see. This group more readily spoke of solutions that go behind or under the
concerns and how they are connected. Talk of values, not issues; communicate
rather than judge; form coalitions to be informed voters are a few examples.
And then a quick and intense farewell was said. Working
with Simone was a privilege and just observing her is a learning experience.
Ashley, Jenn and Abby are incredible women who bossed all the nuns around and
we loved it. Quick hugs and they were off to Chicago.
Then the six MN nuns had more hugs as we set off for our
homes. We have been commissioned to be grocery store missionaries and
department store missionaries and airport missionaries, carrying the ‘We the
People, We the Voters’ message to all and asking: Are you registered
to vote? Do you plan to vote November 4? Do YOU?