Sister Bernadette Pabon

(Deceased)

For most of us, childhood memories bring a smile to our face. We recall ice cream on hot days, hours spent with friends, trips to zoos and parks, and much laughter. That was not, unfortunately, what life was like for young Bernadette. Much of her childhood was spent bouncing from one foster home to another, suffering much abuse along the way. She lived in the Caribbean, Washington D.C., and, for much of her life, in Chicago and its suburbs. It was a childhood spent constantly having to adjust to new homes, new rules, new schools, and new surroundings. Then one day shortly after her 8th grade graduation from our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Chicago, it was decided that she would go to a boarding school and live with the Sisters there. A social worker drove her to a far-away place called Beaverville. There she would meet the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary and settle into her new home, Holy Family Academy.

Religious Sisters were nothing new for Bernadette. She knew them from Chicago. She had met them as a 3rd grader in catechism class at St. Francis of Assisi Parish and had been taught by them at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. From the time she was very young, she was drawn to them. Sisters were not like other people she knew. At Holy Family Academy, she saw the love and care that the Sisters showed toward everyone. It was that and the Sisters’ faith – their total love of God – that attracted Bernadette to religious life.

Sometimes life takes us on a detour. This is what happened to Bernadette. She met someone, fell in love, married, and had four sons. As time went on, her family would, of course, grow to include daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

Bernadette’s faith was always a large part of her life. For over thirty years, Bernadette served as a catechist in various parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago. She served as the Director of Religious Education at Holy Rosary Church, also in Chicago, and was honored with an award presented by Francis Cardinal George.

When Bernadette’s husband died, she realized that, as a widow whose children were all grown, she was free to return to the dream of becoming a Sister. She is now a Servant of the Holy Heart of Mary. Sister Bernadette claims as her mentor Sister Mary Beth Clements, whom she admires for her kindness, patience, and great faith.

As an SSCM, Sister Bernadette has served in a variety of ministries, including elder care at Holmstad Retirement Community in Batavia and running Vacation Bible School at Sacred Heart Church in Hopkins Park. The ministry which she has found most fulfilling, though, is working with Our Daily Bread in Champaign. There, she helped in the soup kitchen and with seniors who are in need. Sister Bernadette is currently working with a group of women who want to learn English, but saying that she teaches English as a Second Language wouldn’t begin to cover it. She also mixes in some catechesis, sewing, crochet, and knitting.

It is the charism of self-giving that is the theme in Sister Bernadette’s life. She derives joy from doing things for others and making them happy. She wants others to feel loved and appreciated. If you have ever had the pleasure of dining at a table that she has set for a holiday celebration, you know how well she succeeds in making others feel loved, even in little ways.

Sister Bernadette learned on May 18, 2022 that she had an aggressive form of cancer.  She died on June 22, 2022.  Until the end of her life, she reached out to others and kept her sense of humor.

With special permission of the General Council, Sister pronounced her perpetual vows on May 28, 2022.  Her letter of request read, “I am ready. I’ve tried my best. I love God.”

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