St. Paul Town Hall

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?