News

Lake Michigan beach front a lot cleaner now

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

MANITOWOC -- The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity co-sponsored the Northeast Wisconsin Beach Sweep on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 12, at the Memorial Drive wayside. They were joined by the Two Rivers Park and Recreation department.

The Beach Sweep was part of the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup, the largest and most successful volunteer event of its kind. Since 1986, the International Coastal Cleanup has cleaned more than 100 million pounds of trash on more than 170,000 miles of shorelines of rivers and beaches. The collected trash is documented to determine sources of pollution and prevention.

The Manitowoc Sisters took part in the Beach Sweep, organizer Sr. Mary Ann Spanjers said, as a natural part of the community's charism.

"St. Francis saw in creation a reflection of God's own goodness," she said. "He had a special love for Sister Water, for it was a reminder of the sacrament of baptism. A Franciscan can not help but be mindful of precious marine life and reverence them, creatures also mirroring God's own goodness."

This was the first Beach Sweep the Sisters took part in. They were joined by students and teachers from Silver Lake College (sponsored by the religious community), Roncalli and Lincoln High Schools and St. Francis de Sales grade school. Judy Goodchild of Two Rivers brought students and parents from their community.

Over the two hours, the two groups of 30 people each covered a mile of beachfront and collected 490 pounds of garbage. Sr. Mary Ann said that included tires, assorted building material and 1,580 cigarette butts.

"That's a sad statement," she said.

Sr. Mary Ann tallied up the collection and forwarded the information to the Wisconsin Beach Clean-up coastal data base, which will forward it to national and international databases.

In welcoming the religious community's participation, Wisconsin Beach Sweep coordinator Kae DonLevy said "I'm glad more and more people are participating in the Beach Sweep and that the Franciscan Sisters in particular are leading the way in northeast Wisconsin. The Franciscan Sisters offer a clear appreciation of nature."

Sr. Mary Ann said she was pleased with the participation of young people.

"We are encouraged by the enthusiasm of youth to do service and their reverence for creation," she said. "There is a growing consciousness among the young that efforts like beach sweeps are not merely about our own survival. Our Sisters chose this part of Wisconsin to begin our community. Its beauty is part of our heritage, and thus it is ours to care for. This Lake Michigan shoreline bears the imprint of Christ."

(Silver Lake College contributed to this story.)