Sister Jeannine Bernier
Roger-Marie
entered Eternal Life on September 20, 2010
at age 75 years
in religious life 55 years
+ 2796
1891
“What I learned diligently, I shall pass on liberally.”
(Wis. 7:13)
Upon the publication of the death of Sr. Jeannine Bernier, several testimonies arrived from former students who sought to express one more time their gratitude to this teacher who, though strict and demanding, was also a woman with heart and understanding of these young people. Thirty years teaching secondary school mathematics and science, that is quite an exploit!
Who was this woman? The third born of the eight children of Roland Bernier and Leonie Massicotte and the eldest girl, Sister Jeannine was a native of Rouyn, Quebec Province, Canada. In spite of her 54 years in the United States, she never forgot her roots in Canadian soil. One need only observe her fierce loyalty to the Montreal Canadian Hockey team for proof!
Sister Jeannine received the sacraments of Christian initiation at her parish church Saint Michael the Archangel of Rouyn. She knew the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa early in life since they were her teachers at St. Louis primary school and again at Mother Bruyère secondary school. Her father, a miner in the copper and gold industry, suffered a paralytic stroke at the age of 41. For twelve years, until his death, the mother cared for him at home. Sister Jeannine notes: “I was my mother’s right hand. I would care for the household while continuing my schooling.” It would seem that at this time, Jeannine was still in primary school, probably in Grade 7. Her younger brothers remember that their big sister would supervise their homework very closely. That may have been her first feeling that perhaps she was called to become a teacher.
Sister Jeannine acknowledges that, as a child, she was quite timid and did not speak much, having inherited these traits from her father. Her students in secondary school would probably testify that she became much more self-confident over the years!
Her attraction for religious life seems to have resulted from her special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, since she loved to stop by the church to pray. The presence of the Sisters for the parish devotions left its mark on her. She entered the Ottawa Novitiate in 1953. She found the trip quite long never having left her native town. However, once she adapted to the formation program, she felt very much at ease. As a novice, she received the name Roger-Marie, her eldest brother’s name.
After twelve years as a teacher at the primary level in the Lowell and Haverhill schools, all the while pursuing a Bachelor’s degree with a major in biology at Rivier College, Sister Jeannine found her place of choice as a mathematics and physics teacher at the secondary level.
According to her students, Sister Jeannine was known for her sense of fairness. She was not afraid to show her concern for the academic success of her students. In spite of a stern exterior, she held a special place in the heart of her students who knew how much she cared for them. It is quite a testimony that, upon her retirement, Lowell Catholic High School instituted a university level scholarship in Sister Jeannine’s name for the student who, at the time of graduation, had received the highest grades in mathematics and science.
From 1983 to 1989, Sister Jeannine added the role of local superior at Ste. Jeanne d’Arc Convent to her work in education. She also served her province as a Provincial Councilor from 1973 to 1989, and again from 1994 to 1997. Then, while still a teacher at the secondary school, she was named Provincial Secretary from 1997 to 2001.
As early as 1995, the first indications of rheumatoid arthritis began to be manifest and the replacement of the left knee became a necessity. Her health began to fail. By the year 2000, the replacement of both a hip and the right knee slowed her down even more. At the end of her mandate as secretary, she requested to remain at St. Joseph Residence where nursing services were more readily available. In spite of her constant pain, she found ways to be of service in a thousand and one ways, either as sacristan, dining room aide, receptionist, or leading the recitation of the rosary for her older companions.
In addition, she would go to D’Youville Senior Care Center, on the same campus as the Residence, three times a week, to visit the residents in the special care dementia unit. She shared the following regarding this experience: “Communication is often difficult with these persons who are so loved by the Lord. Yet, seeing their reaction when I speak with them, I know that God is present. I always return home with a joyful and peaceful heart. I never would have thought that one day I would have been able to fulfill such a ministry. Our charism of compassion is always at work. I am so grateful to the Lord.”
With the arthritis worsening, Sister Jeannine had to accept the use of a wheelchair to get around. Further complications in the summer of 2010 led her to the hospital, then to the rehabilitation unit at D’Youville Senior Care Center. Faced with the evidence that the doctors had exhausted their medical expertise and could no longer bring her the needed relief, she accepted to be transferred to hospice care and returned home to her companions in order to prepare herself to meet her Lord.
Throughout her life, but most especially in the last weeks, her great devotion to Mary brought her much support and comfort. Although she could no longer speak, it was obvious from her responses that she understood the companions who visited her or the nurses who spoke to her during her care. The visit from two of her brothers who traveled from Rouyn by automobile to bid their last farewells, as well as bring her those of her other siblings, brought her much consolation if one judged from the smiles with which she greeted them.
Sister Jeannine went very peacefully to meet her God in the late afternoon of September 20, 2010. May she rest in peace!
Obituary Notice