Saint Bonaventure University student and Saint Helen parishioner Claire Fisher’s first “claim to fame” was as a baby at Mass, enthusiastically clapping after the cantor’s “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Or loudly responding, “Chanukah,” to Monsignor Harm’s question to children about what December holiday they were celebrating.
Simple yet beautiful moments trace through Claire’s faith development. She recalls early memories of what her mother described to her as “Monday Night Ladies” (i.e., “Why Catholic?”) coming to her home in the evening for faith-sharing, tea, and the warmth of a loving Catholic home. Reluctant to go to bed, Claire would linger at the top of the stairs, eager to overhear the conversation.
Would one be surprised then to find that Claire’s educational and professional path followed these foundational steps? She matured through singing in the children’s choir (to encourage her to sing rather than talk so much in church), altar serving with her brother Rob, helping with the children’s Hummingbirds choir, and then serving as a teen Peer Minister. Claire is of the generation of high schoolers who navigated through the challenges of the pandemic’s Zoom requirements, realizing that in these digital Peer Ministry sessions, “you get out of it what you put into it.”
At Bonaventure, she is drawn to its program with the Mt. Irenaeus faith community, rooted in the Franciscan tradition, who describe themselves as “committed to simple, joyful, healing communion with God and all creation.” At Mt. Irenaeus, Claire interacts with and supports the Franciscan Friars in their ministry. Located 35 minutes from campus, Mt. Irenaeus offers Sunday Mass on the mountaintop, group retreats, and programs for solitude and reflection, all surrounded by nature’s abundance.
Immersing herself in the Friar’s charism, Claire lived at Mt. Irenaeus the summer after freshman year, performing yard work and hospitality tasks, “mundane things, but you can’t host a retreat without them. As St. Mother Teresa said, ‘doing small things with great love.’”
“Faith-based advocacy is something I’m very passionate about. College is the age when you are trying to figure out who you are, who everyone else is, and fitting into your social scene.” For students whom she supports through OCIA at Saint Bonaventure, “adding a higher power is a lot” to everything else they are trying to figure out. Many college students haven’t attended Mass “in a long time. It can be intimidating to be alone. So, I like to be that welcoming presence for them.”
“I use faith in every aspect of my life and career.” She recently attended a Franciscan conference sponsored by the Franciscan Action Network, lobbying on two bills in Washington, D.C., on environmental issues. “How my faith can intersect with policy – that’s very formative for me; nourishing and worshipping God’s creation. That’s something I can bring into any career.”
Life after college? Claire is thinking about exploring a year in D.C. working with the homeless population.
“That’s something that has always touched me. “I try to preach by the way I live,” and follow the words of Saint Francies to “preach the Gospel at all times; use words when necessary.” As Claire follows her passion, exploring simple yet abiding tasks, God continues to work in and through her.
As we contemplate stewardship of our treasure, we can reflect on what is meaningful to each of us. What do we seek? What do we cherish? What do we share?
