2008 - 2009 Jubilees   [Back to Jubilees & Professions]

SISTER BERNADETTE STANG
A Golden Jubilee Story ~ August 16, 2008

LOOK AT photos from this event.
 

"In reflecting on these fifty Golden years, my heart is overflowing with gratitude."
~ Sister Bernadette Stang

I entered the Monastery of St. Gertrude from St. Martin, a small parish in central Minnesota. There I grew up in a family of 13, with the Church very much in the center of our lives. I went to a little two classroom school in St. Martin, which, although not Catholic, included Mass every morning, and religion classes once a week. I would say the desire for religious life was nurtured in this Catholic home, so that already during high school, there was that persistent nudging. I received a teaching certificate and taught for two years. My cousin and I visited our aunts, Sister Josephine, Mary Bernard and Josephine, at St. Gertrude’s. I loved the Sisters, the surroundings and the monastic prayer, so back I came.
 

SLIDESHOW ~ Sister Bernadette Stang Please enjoy the images and recollections below. (There are 20 slides in the show.)

On June 11, 1958, the day of my Profession, I received the name Sister Mary Grace. For me, Grace meant being touched by God, being gifted. So I began my ministry in the Church of Idaho through teaching in our Catholic schools in Boise, Lewiston, Ferdinand, Pocatello and Genesee. In 1968 I was asked to be in religious education as the diocese opened the Catholic Education Office. My ministry in Religious Education coordination took me to all the parishes in Idaho, a ministry close to my heart because of the dedication and service of catechists throughout the state. After the years in the Catholic Education Office I moved into pastoral ministry in the parishes of Burley and Blackfoot. Again the call came from the Sisters in Bogota, Colombia to join them at the school of Santa Maria. This tremendous experience widened my world view, and prepared me for the next step in my life. On returning to the States I was asked to be part of our Formation and Vocation ministry at St. Gertrude’s. My next ministry involved setting up an after-school tutoring program at Farmway Village migrant camp near Caldwell. After eleven years with beautiful Hispanic children and their parents, I was called back to the Monastery to be part of the Spirituality and Retreat Ministry team at Spirit Center.

Vatican II and its aftermath was a highpoint in my life. A number of heroes entered my life. Pope John XXIII was the first of these. He called the bishops together to “open the windows of the Church to let in the Spirit.” Another figure that emerged was Bishop Treinen. He was our bishop during those years. A holier man you could not find, and a more supportive Bishop there wasn’t. He listened, but challenged, as he asked for clarifications. At the same time in community, Sister Regina was our leader. Those were hard days for her, as she said "farewell" to many Sisters who no longer walked with us, and continued to challenge the rest of us to understand who we are and really live what we promised.

In reflecting on these fifty Golden years, my heart is overflowing with gratitude: gratitude for the call to walk with the Sisters of the Monastery of St. Gertrude, gratitude for the faith-filled people of Idaho, who were examples of living faith, and who were a support in my journey. An example was the near-death experience I had while studying in Louisiana. The support from Idaho through letters, flowers and prayers was unbelievable, and there is no doubt in my mind that, because of their support, I am here today to celebrate fifty years of religious life.