With a focus on preaching the gospel, there are 270 sisters in Sinsinawa. They are called to a variety of ministries — counselors, caregivers, lawyers, doctors and more.

Feagan made the announcement on June 4, and said she told parishioners, “‘I am not going to leave a piece of my heart in Marshalltown. I’m taking it with me, and you are in it.’ I would have been happy to stay here forever, but I think my community needs me more than Marshalltown does right now.”

Originally from Illinois, Feagan came to Marshalltown in September 1999. She decided to make the move while she was helping in Bolivia and met Father Bernard Grady, who needed someone to help with the Hispanic ministry. In the beginning, Feagan helped people complete immigration papers, learn English, set up utilities in their homes and served as an interpreter at appointments.

“Just generally helping people with whatever they needed to settle in,” she said. “When I first got here, the Hispanic community was big, but nothing like what it is today. It has grown immensely.”

T-R PHOTOS BY LANA BRADSTREAM — Sister Chris Feagan of St. Francis of Assisi Parish takes a moment outside of the building in which her office is. On July 2, people going to the building will no longer see Feagan as she will retire from her position on July 1.

‘More unity in Marshalltown’

Feagan continued to perform many of her beginning duties, and as a result she said she has so many stories.

“I’m busy everyday, but no two days are the same,” she said. “People come in because they’re looking for me, and they know I can get them connected with resources. Because I’ve been here so long, I have the full confidence of the people.”

Feagan said sometimes people wanted help with their home, obtaining SNAP benefits, a shoulder to cry on or occasionally “a kick in the butt.” While the size of the Marshalltown Hispanic community has grown through the years, she has seen the overall general attitude of residents change.

Contributed Photo — Sister Chris Feagan in 2005, just six years after her arrival in Marshalltown.

At first, there were a lot of negative feelings toward the new incoming population. Now Feagan said every Marshalltown business has bilingual employees, English classes are offered and immigration attorneys have increased in number. She has seen second and third Hispanic generations born, go to college and return to Marshalltown to pursue successful careers.

“As people get to know them and love them, they really come to care about them,” she said. “And it works both ways. There is definitely more unity in Marshalltown.”

A big role Feagan had was managing the Good Samaritan Fund, and she has notebooks filled with names of people assisted by the fund.

“Everyone is a story,” she said. “My brother said to me one time, ‘How many people do you think scam you?’ and I said, ‘That’s not my problem.’ If they come in and they’re that poor, they need it.”

Money from the fund is distributed as needs arise. The need might be an inability to pay rent or water, to get a hotel room after an eviction, to buy food, and help could not be found anyplace else. People do not have to be members of the Catholic church or even residents of Marshalltown to receive Good Samaritan help.

The fund was created after the infamous 2006 Immigration and Customs Enforcement Swift & Company pork processing facility raid. Feagan’s connections to helpful resources and the community made her valuable following hard times the community has endured, including the raid.

“There was such an outpouring of compassion,” she said. “I bet we got $150,000 of donations – locally, from all over the country, and we helped a lot of families get over that hump with food, rent, electricity. There were a lot of people that said ‘This isn’t right. This is not good.’ They’re human beings and they have a right to be here.”

‘Blessed life’

Despite some challenging roles and times in Marshalltown, Feagan is happy with how everything turned out. After all, she became a religious sister immediately after high school because of a desire to serve God and others.

“The question isn’t so much ‘Why did you enter?’ but ‘Why did you stay?'” she said. “You find a community where there is love, there’s joy, there’s a sense of mission and service, and friendship. Oh my gosh. I have had such a blessed life. I have met so many people who have changed my life – especially the Hispanics. They have a whole other attitude toward life. It’s amazing.”

The attitudes of groups of people and the diversity of Marshalltown is a real blessing other communities just don’t seem to recognize, Feagan said. All the people are her family, who she has come to love.

“You don’t do it for the money,” she said. “You do it for the love of God and your neighbor. If we would really do that and realize it’s what we are called to do, the world would be different.”

‘Hate to see her go’

Father Alan Dietzenbach said he knew the day of Feagan’s retirement was coming, but when the announcement of her impending departure was made in church last week, tears were shed.

“People were grieving,” he said. “She is so interwoven in our community. We do not have many examples of religious women around. Her witness is unique and consecrated. This is a big loss. I hate to see her go, but am excited for her and her new adventure. As hard as it is, it is the right time.”

During Feagan’s 23 years with the Catholic church, her impact has been such that Dietzenbach said no one will ever be able to fill her shoes.

“We’re not even going to try to find someone,” he said. “She became a liaison and advocate for the Hispanic community, and the community at large. She knows them so well. She offered compassion and tough love when she had to. No one could do all that without the spiritual insight and wisdom she had.”

There will be a reception for Sister Chris on July 30 at 2 p.m. in the St. Henry dining room. Dietzenbach said everyone in Marshalltown is welcome.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.