CLINTON, Iowa  – Sister LaVern Olberding, who served in Manteca, will celebrate 60 years as a Clinton Franciscan this fall. A public Mass and celebration have been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic.

Sister Olberding was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and graduated from St. Columbkille School in Varina, Iowa. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis on September 8, 1961, and received the name Mary LaVern at her reception on June 13, 1962. She pronounced perpetual vows on August 12, 1967.

She earned an associate degree from Mount St. Clare College, Clinton; a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa; and a master’s degree in religious education from Seattle University, Seattle, Washington.

Sister Olberding served as a teacher, religious education director, and campus minister in four states, including: Danbury Catholic High School, Danbury, Iowa; St. Ann School, Lexington, Nebraska; St. Kieran School, El Cajon, California; St. Patrick High School, Maysville, Kentucky; St. Anthony School & Parish, Manteca, California; University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky; St. George Parish, Louisville, Kentucky; and Mount St. Clare Academy and College, Clinton.

She ministered as the pastoral care coordinator for Dismas Charities in Louisville, Kentucky, where she worked with felons at numerous halfway houses. During that time, she co-founded the Micah 6:8 community, an intentional, co-ed, young adult residence and outreach ministry for the Archdiocese of Louisville. Moving to California in 2004, she promoted active nonviolence and peacemaking while working as an Operations Coordinator for Atwood and Thompson, Inc. in Spring Valley.

Sister Olberding co-founded the Franciscan Peace Connection in La Mesa, California, in 2012. The Franciscan Peace Connection continues today as an outreach ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis offering opportunities for workshops, study groups, and training in active nonviolence, peacemaking, and life skills.

Sister Olberding resides in Lakeside, California, where she ministers as the director of the Franciscan Peace Connection, networks with numerous interfaith groups, and provides outreach to persons living on the margins. She serves as president of the 2021 board of directors of the Peace Resource Center of San Diego, where she works closely with other groups and organizations who promote nonviolence, peace, justice, equality, and equity for all.