The Importance of Freedom
Catholic sisters take vows, solemnly aware of the system’s rules. When Leclare acted on “that constant invitation” to join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, the Catholic Church in America was nowhere near as flexible as some argue it is today. Considering Leclare’s decades of service, it’s clear her freedom and individual assertion impacted thousands of others around the world. Taking away such freedom could stunt nuns’ measured impact on society’s progress.
“When we were in habits, people did expect us all to sort of be the same and had a hard time accepting how different from one another we were,” says Leclare. In habit-wearing days, nuns received “obedience slips” that dictated their actions, telling them where to go and what to do. Since, sisters in the LCWR are recognized as individuals, and their choice is taken into account when administering assignments.
Leclare watches ball games with fellow sisters. Her passion for biking brought her hundreds of miles forward in her contemplation of God’s beauty. She loved the Blue Man Group performance in Chicago. She has climbed on rooftops, soaked in the sun on the Swiss Alps and will always swear by the power of forgiveness. Nursing gives her a feeling of being free and an identity as a formidable force for justice. She’s a loving and accepting mentor.
That’s Leclare.
Individual agency led Leclare to her biggest accomplishments. “She was in graduate school when women didn’t go to graduate school,” says Joe Kruse. He elaborated that with her education and leadership characteristics, “She is the quintessential nurse.”
Leclare is now retired from nursing, but does not seem to tire from serving her community. She still volunteers at the Saint Clare Health Mission she helped start, says Brekke. “Even at 86, you can tell it still gives her energy. She’ll just sit and talk with people, and people always remember her.”
Barb Kruse reflects, “Leclare has impacted my life in her solid presence. She influenced me by living in the present moment…She’s just so grounded in who she is.”
Thank God for that.
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