The "Center"

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On today’s episode of The “Center”, host Marsha Thrall is joined by Tamra Jetter, Director of the Vince Jetter Community Center in Clinton, Iowa. Marsha and Tamra will talk about the Vince Jetter Community Center’s origins, and how the Jetter Center is currently working on beautification and community garden education projects intended to revitalize the neighborhoods surrounding the Vince Jetter Community Center.

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In today’s episode of The “Center”, host Marsha Thrall talks about both the restorative and nonviolent nature of both home gardening and community gardening. 
Within the conversation, she will be joined by Donna Santiago, who oversees programming and enrichment for the Pathways Living Center in Clinton, Iowa. Pathways Living Center provides housing and care for adults living with mental and emotional challenges, and Pathways is one of this year’s recipients of a no-cost garden plot at the Clinton Community Garden.

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On today’s episode of The "Center" host Marsha Thrall is joined by Dr. Adrienne Krone. Dr. Krone is the Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Sustainability and Religious Studies at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. Dr. Krone’s area of academic specialty focuses on Agriculture and Food, Food Justice, Religion and Food, Religion and the Environment, Religion and Animals, Religious Studies, and Jewish Studies. Her research has focused on a historical and ethnographic study of the contemporary Jewish Community Farming movement in North America. Welcome Dr. Krone!

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This week on The “Center”, host Marsha Thrall is joined by Carmelite Sister JonFe de Torres, as well as Sisters Theresa Judge and Joan Theiss of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa. Today’s conversation focuses on the experiences and expertise that these three women have in growing gardens for both food, and as creative expression. The topic of gardening as an act of nonviolence is explored, including insight on how growing one’s own food is a radical act of self-care.

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Today's guest on The "Center" is Dr. Joanne Marie Terrell.
Dr. Terrell is the Kenneth B. Smith Chair of Public Ministry and Associate Professor of Theology, Ethics, and The Arts at Chicago Theological Seminary. Dr. Terrell had the distinct honor of being mentored by Dr. James Cone while she completed both her MDiv and Doctoral degrees at Union Theological Seminary. In her own right, Dr. Terrell is a brilliant scholar, and author of the book Power in the Blood? The Cross in the African American Experience. As part of her ministry, Dr. Terrell utilizes theater, poetry, and clothing design as both pedagogical process, and expressive nonviolence in response to the violence that is present within our communities.

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For the January 26, 2023 episode, host Marsha Thrall continues the "origin story" conversation with Sister Jan Cebula, Sister LaVern Olberding, and Sister Maria Zeimen.
During the conversation, the Sisters share personal stories about their journey towards embracing an ethic of active nonviolence and peacemaking. And also, the Sisters share sources and resources to aid listeners in seeking out ways to explore a "centered" approach to active nonviolence and peacemaking.
Please visit our website to learn more about these resources.

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This episode features two guests: Sister Janet Ryan, a Franciscan sister of Clinton, Iowa, and Olivia Hurst, from Chicago, IL. Sr. Janet has been ministering at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation since 2014, where she assists adults in earning their high school diploma, offers peace circles in the community, and circle trainings at PBMR. Olivia Hurst has been actively engaged with the programming at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation for several years, and considers PBMR to be a “home away from home”. During this conversation, we will be talking about how an ethic of nonviolence and peacemaking has a positive impact on the lives of folks who participate in programs like those offered at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation 

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Integrating Franciscan spirituality with action, the Franciscan Peace Center carries out the advocacy work of the corporate public stands taken by the Clinton Franciscans.  That work can take many forms: influencing lawmakers, prayer, educating individuals, mobilizing citizens to participate in the democratic process, and giving a voice to impoverished and marginalized people.  In 2021, the Clinton Franciscans committed to a plan based on the Laudato Si’ Action Platform (LSAP) – a call from the Vatican to work toward a more sustainable and just world. This episode of The “Center” is a conversation with the staff of the Franciscan Peace Center: Director of Strategic Planning, Jennifer Kryszak; Director of Digital Advocacy and Outreach, Laura Anderson; and Director of Programming, Marsha Thrall.  Join us as we discuss how we approach the mission of active nonviolence and peacemaking and how the LSAP provides a framework for our efforts.

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Today's podcast is part two of the two part conversation with members of the Social Justice Committee at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
Join host Marsha Thrall, and guests Delores Moore, Ralph Moore, and Mary Sewell as they discuss  St. Ann's initiative of Santo Subito (or "Saint right away") canonization for six African American candidates for sainthood.
This initiative has received national attention, and has been the focus of a November 2021 Washington Post article.
To learn more about the six Santo Subito candidates, and to read and sign a copy of the letter that St. Ann's has composed to Pope Francis, please visit:
https://clintonfranciscans.com/the-center-podcast

"Sweet Times" is by All Bets Off, and is provided by Adobe Stock.

"Sweet Times" is by All Bets Off, and is provided by Adobe Stock.

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The “Center” is in its final weeks of summer hiatus. This week, we are re-airing part one of the two part conversation with members of the Social Justice Committee at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
Join host Marsha Thrall, and guests Delores Moore, Ralph Moore, and Mary Sewell as they discuss  St. Ann's initiative of Santo Subito (or "Saint right away") canonization for six African American candidates for sainthood.
This initiative has received national attention, and has been the focus of a November 2021 Washington Post article.

Since our initial airing in February, there has been an important development in the canonization process of one of the six candidates. On June 22, 2023, Mother Mary Lange, founder of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, was declared venerable by Pope Francis. This declaration of venerable moves Mother Lange a step closer to being one of the first African Americans from the United States to be granted sainthood.
To learn more about the six Santo Subito candidates, and to read and sign a copy of the letter that St. Ann's has composed to Pope Francis, please visit: 

https://clintonfranciscans.com/the-center-podcast

"Sweet Times" is by All Bets Off, and is provided by Adobe Stock.