2008 Jubilarians

Mary Beck, SSND
Professed in 1958

Sister Mary Beck celebrates 50 years as a School Sister of Notre Dame. She has ministered as a teacher, administrator, pastoral minister, director of religious education and coordinator of organic gardening and husbandry.

A meaningful time in my ministry…
When living among native Eskimos of Alaska, I learned to listen to nature in order to live respectfully and sustainably on the land. During the early 1970s, our SSND community in Port Washington opted for shared responsibility instead of an appointed superior form of government for our community. This was a first or experimental way to live in community which we all (12 of us) took the initiative to take on the responsibilities an appointed superior usually did.

What drew you to the SSND Community?
At Holy Angels in West Bend, my teachers were School Sisters of Notre Dame. They were such a friendly, happy group.

What has it meant to you to be a sister through the years?
To grow in awareness of who I am, who we are and who we are called to be for the good of all.

What would you like people to know about the School Sisters of Notre Dame?
We are God’s “work in progress,” learning how to integrate success and future into a positive yes for life.

What words of encouragement would you offer to a woman exploring the possibility of religious life?
Come and dream with us to create life giving meaning to community and ministry.

What is your current ministry?
My ministry is organic gardening and husbandry coordinator for SUNSEED Eco-Education Center at Mount Calvary, WI, along with two other team members, Sister Mary Ann Srnka, director and Sister Suzanne Moynihan, education coordinator.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with people about your life?
I have always seen myself as a learner and a pioneer in SSND community and ministry. Learning while forging, shared responsibility in community life and enabling ministry to native Eskimos in Alaska to take over various church ministries. Pioneering development of Notre Dame Middle School and now pioneering an Eco-Education Center at Mount Calvary. Life long learning and pioneering is very life giving and life fulfilling.

 

 

 

 

 

       Sister Mary with twin, Sister Rose Andre    

Sister's missions:
St Elizabeth, Milwaukee, WI, 1960-1963
St Mary, DePere, WI, 1963-1965
Holy Trinity, Milwaukee, WI, 1965-1969
Holy Assumption, West Allis, WI, 1969
Holy Childhood, Harbor Springs, MI, 1970-1971
St Mary, Port Washington, WI, 1971-1974
St Mary, Burlington, WI, 1974-1977
Sacred Heart, Emmonak, AK, 1977-1991
Native Ministry Training Center,
   St. Mary, AK, 1991-1992
Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services,
   Milwaukee, WI, 1992-1993
Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, WI, 1993-1994
Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas, The Pas Manitoba, 1994-1995
Notre Dame Middle School, Milwaukee, WI, 1996-2002
Center for Earth Spirituality & Rural Ministry, Mankato, MN, 2002-2003
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mount Calvary, WI, 2003-Present