A Nun Who Likes to Clown Around…

Who says nuns don’t ‘clown around’?  Clowning around comes naturally for Sr. Maribeth Wentzlaff, the Director of Campus Ministry at Mount Marty College.  This nun does not ‘mask’ her love for the young people she has ministered to over the last ten years.  Instead, Sr. Maribeth uses clown ministry to step outside her normal routine to minister to people in a different way.

“People have stereotypical images of what a nun should be.  I try to stretch them to see a broader view of nuns in today’s world.  When I become Yardstick The Clown, I take who I am as a sister and bring that life and joy to those around me,” says Sr. Maribeth.  She adds, “For me, clowning is a great way to spread a Christian message, because a clown definitely holds the attention of everyone.”  Sr. Maribeth became interested in clowning while working with high school students.  She advised a “Clowning Around With Prevention” troupe that performed and taught grade school students about remaining drug free and making good life choices.  In her position at Mount Marty, she ‘clowns around’ in a different kind of ministry, as well.

At MMC, Sr. Maribeth advises the Yahoo Outreach Retreat Team.  The team conducts 15-20 retreats and reaches over 1,000 junior high and high school students in one year.  Sr. Maribeth notes, “I am empowered by the young adults I work with at the College.  The Christian witness they live daily excites me and gives me hope for our church.”  The theme for the Yahoo team is, “Takin’ It To The Streets: the Gospel!”  Sr. Maribeth believes that taking the Gospel to the young adults is what religious sisters need to do today to reach those who are struggling and have lost hope an vision. 

One of the practical ways that Sr. Maribeth has put this faith into practice is through the Make a Difference Month projects that MMC has sponsored during the month of October.  This year alone, over 200 students, faculty, staff, and administration combined their talents in completing over 20 service projects in the Yankton area.  She admits, “Even though tired at the end of the month, I am energized by the generosity of those around me.”  The Benedictine values of service, ministry to the poor, community, and hospitality abound in the completion of these projects.  The Rule of Benedict says, “Go to help the troubled, and console the sorrowing.  Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way.  The love of Christ must come before all else.”  “This is my driving motivation for these projects,” says sister.

“All work and no play”, is not Sr. Maribeth’s motto.  She likes to go fishing, play cards with her living group at the monastery, visit with her parents, Bob and Marivonne Wentzlaff, and collect clown figurines.  Even though she is short, standing only 4’11”, she is not short on the love that flows through her ministry as a Benedictine sister of Sacred Heart Monastery.