ONE-ON-ONE | Sister Clare Marie Beichner We're all brothers and sisters in that union with God, nun says

What brought you to Prince of Peace?
At the time, I was teaching and in the process of a job transition. I knew I was being called onward, but I wasn't sure exactly what direction. Sister Benita asked me if I would be willing to consider working with her because she was looking for someone to come and assist her. I knew it would mean a major transition for me. I'd have to give up teaching. That was a hard decision for me.
Do you miss teaching?
In reality, I'm using my teaching skills as much as ever, just in the interactions with people and the organizational skills, facilitating groups, teaching people and working with them.
Have you ever regretted your decision to come here?
No. I loved teaching I enjoyed it tremendously, but I've always had a heart for direct service for the people. When I was doing my early teaching, we started a program where we reach out with intergenerational programs. I spent a summer working with the people in Kentucky in the hills of Appalachia. I spent a summer in South Dakota with the Indians. While I was teaching in Erie, I helped work in the soup kitchen. It was a natural leaning to go into social work.
Who has most influenced your life?
My parents [Bernice Beichner and the late Bernard Beichner] have had a tremendous impact on my life. Sister Benita has had a tremendous impact on my life. My parents, because of their love of nature and their at-homeness with life, and Sister Benita, in her spirit of generosity to help all people and believing and trusting in yourself that you can always keep doing, just keep finding more and more of the gifts within yourself.
What's the most satisfying part of your job?
Working with a strong, dedicated staff and having watched the development of some of the programming where we can really impact more and more of the community and really help families.
How many people do you assist?
We had 1,132 households in our food program last year; 278 households visiting our soup kitchen and provided emergency assistance of various kinds to 1,304 households.
Is the demand growing?
Yes. There's an on-going need for sure for our family programs, for emergency assistance. This summer we've felt the increase with the families affected by the Wheatland Tube strike and, recently, people affected by the plants and places that are closing. Donations are increasing as well.
How many hours a week do you work?
It averages around 60.
What do you do to relax?
I enjoy reading, walking and gardening.
What do you read?
Novels, nonfiction.
Where do you like to walk?
Buhl Park and neighborhoods. Walking nurtures my soul. It just refreshes me. It just allows me to relax and unwind.
Where do you go to get away from it all?
Part of me goes down to the [family] farm where my mother still lives. I spend time with my religious community and my family. I visit a lot of shut-ins, keep up with friends. I just came back from a week-long retreat in the hills of West Virginia with the Sisters of St. Joseph.
What gets your dander up?
One of the most distressing things to me is people taking advantage of other people. When I see people using other people, that really irritates me.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
That I'm a strong introvert and that I really enjoy quiet and solitude.
Doesn't that clash with your vocation?
I know. It's true, it's very true. One of the things that I think is very much a part of who I am is that I have a real strong belief that our whole life is meaningful in the sense that we are all brothers and sisters in that union of neighbor with God and neighbor with neighbor, without distinction. Being with people, overall, is very important to me and working and helping people to understand that we're all here together and we're all responsible for helping one another to be the best people that we can be. We can't do that alone. Individually, we can't do a whole lot, but together, we can do a great deal more.