From IHM School

Feast of Our Lady's Assumption, 2008 -- at Tully Reservoir

Sister Mary Bernadette, M.I.C.M., went to her reward on December 16, 2011. She was just shy of her ninety-second birthday. She had a very full life (you may read her obituary here), but she was always looking towards eternity. Her special love was for the Christ Child; so, it is particularly appropriate that she should die in the month of the Divine Infancy. I have gathered a few pictures from the last ten years of her life to give you an idea of her joy and patience.

: Sister in 2001 (from a group shot)

: Father Jarecki and Sister Mary Bernadette - All Saints' Day 2001

: Sister takes notes during one of the evening lectures - 3/23/2002

: May Procession 2002 - Sister Mary Bernadette without a walker or cane (next to Sister Maria Cordatta -- from two different angles)!

: Another close-up - 1/7/2004

: All Saints' Day Party 2004 -- Sister Mary Bernadette is one of the judges this year

: A close-up of Sister as a judge - All Saints' 2004

: July 2005 - Reading was one of Sister's favorite occupations

: July 2005

: August 14, 2005 - Sister Mary Peter gives Sister a push to the third Richmond Blueberry Fiddle Festival

: March 25, 2006 - new habits!

: Our Brothers and Sisters (3/25/2006)

: Sister Mary Bernadette, Sister Maria Philomena, Sister Marie Therese (clockwise from left) - 3/25/2006

: May Procession 2006 - Sister Mary Bernadette is on the porch with Sister Maria Perpetua (the procession is getting to be too much walking for her)

: Sister Marie Therese and Sister Mary Bernadette (7/7/2006)

: How nice it is to relax and enjoy God's beautiful creation! (7/7/2006)

: Sister Mary Bernadette surrounded by the Sisters (as of 10/14/2006)

: The computer dates this picture as 11/1/2006, but I think it must be from a little earlier that fall. We are at the Tully Reservoir outside of Athol, MA.

: Same location (the Reservoir), but now it is August 5, 2007

: Fourth of July 2008

: Special transportation at the 2008 Blueberry Fiddle Festival

: Feast of Our Lady's Assumption, 2008 -- at Tully Reservoir

: A 2008 group shot with all the Sisters

: From the Sisters' 2008 Thanksgiving Day skit -- Sister's last appearance on stage (but not her last use of her acting ability -- she loved an audience!)

: March 25, 2009

: Sister Maria Rosaria and Sister Marie Gabrielle took their first vows on this day (3/25/2009).

: A year later (3/25/2010), Sister holds a little Bosonetto baby at Brother Joseph Mary's Profession reception.

: July 2011 - Sister Marie Therese takes Sister for a little stroll at what was her last trip to the ocean (she loved the water!).

: A little polka music (or the Blue Danube) helps the feet to move more readily!

: 11/22/2011 - Back from the hospital (Sister had pneumonia) and wearing oxygen, Sister watches a skit rehearsal.

: Here is Sister with some of her relatives (12/7/2011). She is starting to be less and less alert. This was the last day that she was able to do any walking, even with assistance.

: But she can still summon a smile when asked! (12/7/2011)

: Or when looking at a baby! (12/8/2011)

: 12/9/2011 - We re-arranged the convent, moving Sister's hospital bed to the central area. Completely bedridden now, we wanted her to be in the midst of the community and able to have visitors.

: 12/10/11 - A baby can still get the most animated response!

: 12/10/2011 - The mothers of little ones were very kind about coming over for lots of short visits.

: 12/13/2011 -- Here she reached up to make the Sign of the Cross on little Madelene's forehead (to reach like that required quite a bit of effort - the last time we saw her reach up).

: Sister received the Last Rites on December 14 -- with the junior and senior high school students (plus friends and relatives) in attendance.

: Our boys are all altar servers -- here they join in the Confiteor.

: Sister was alert for the annointing of her senses.

: Sister died at 8:08 on December 16 during the Litany for the Dying. This picture was taken about thirty minutes later.

: The three sacramentals of a Slave: the Rosary, Brown Scapular, and Miraculous Medal.

: 10:02 pm that evening -- Peace at last!

: December 17 -- Sister's bed is empty, like the altar on Holy Saturday (representing the tomb).

: The little shrine Sister Maria Rosaria had set up in the central area for Sister Mary Bernadette to look at -- her statues and pictures from her room, plus some relics and flowers.