Around Town

Sister Mary Clare stood beneath the sprawling limbs of the ancient Council Oak in Riverside Park in North Sioux City, where the Big Sioux River meets the mighty Missouri. As she gazed upon the tree, her thoughts wandered to the story of Jesus and the True Vine. She imagined the tree's deep roots as a symbol of our connection to Christ, the trunk as our faith, and the branches reaching out like the teachings of the church.

She remembered the tale of how Lewis and Clark had once held council under this very tree, and how it stood as a witness to unity and peace between different worlds. The leaves rustled above her, whispering stories of the past — of the Apostles and martyrs who, like this tree, stood firm in faith through the seasons of history.

Sister Mary Clare thought about how each leaf could represent a soul nourished by the sap of the True Vine, Jesus Himself. Just as the Council Oak was a place of meeting, so too is Christ a meeting place for all, a source of strength and salvation. She imagined the countless prayers and hopes that had been offered under the oak's watchful presence, each one a fervent wish for unity and grace.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the park, Sister Mary Clare sat in silent contemplation. She felt a profound connection to the Divine, to the generations that had come before her, and to the eternal dance of creation. With a peaceful heart, she whispered a prayer of gratitude for the enduring legacy of the Council Oak, a living testament to the enduring power of faith and fellowship in the world.