On September 11 Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and School in Bethesda, Maryland, held a special celebration honoring our sisters who had taught at the school. The congregation received an invitation to attend the celebration and the parish graciously offered to provide transportation and even hotel accommodations to those who might need them.
Seven of our sisters traveled to Bethesda to be part of the festivities: Srs. Corda Marie Bergbauer, Anne McFadden, Constance Davis, and Christopher Marie Wagner had all taught at Our Lady of Lourdes School. Srs. Mary Farrell and Colette Gerry represented the leadership team and Sr. Helen Jacobson attended in her role as archivist.
Seven of our sisters traveled to Bethesda to be part of the festivities: Srs. Corda Marie Bergbauer, Anne McFadden, Constance Davis, and Christopher Marie Wagner had all taught at Our Lady of Lourdes School. Srs. Mary Farrell and Colette Gerry represented the leadership team and Sr. Helen Jacobson attended in her role as archivist.
(l-r) Srs. Christopher Marie Wagner, Helen Jacobson, Corda Marie Bergbauer, Mary Farrell, Anne McFadden, and Constance Davis, Colette Gerry. Behind the sculpture is the plaque bearing the names of the 92 sisters who ministered at Our Lady of Lourdes School.
The celebration began with Eucharistic liturgy in the parish church. One of the highlights of the day was the blessing and dedication of a beautiful bronze figure representing the Franciscan sisters and a plaque listing the names of the 92 Sisters of St. Francis who taught at the school. The current students of Our Lady of Lourdes School, accompanied by their dedicated faculty, process to church. The school was recently named as one the country’s Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.
Sister Corda Marie was missioned at Our Lady of Lourdes right after profession and shared both her memories of her days Bethesda and her thoughts on the celebration. When I went to Our Lady of Lourdes in 1949 to teach in the primary grades, I was mentored by Sr. Alma Francis who became my friend thereafter. When I was transferred to Bradshaw two years later, I truly left part of my heart at Our Lady of Lourdes—my first mission. When I went back for this celebration, I saw that our faith continues to grow there these 66 years later with the dedicated pastor and the beloved principal as well as with the parents and students. It was wonderful to be invited to the dedication of the bronze statue of a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia donated by a former student. It is placed outside between the church and the school. What a wonderful gift for this Year of Consecrated Life!
Sr. Cord Marie talks about her years at Our Lady of Lourdes School.
During the program John Ford, a former student of Our Lady of Lourdes School and more recently a member of Neumann University’s board, did an enjoyable presentation called “A Room Full of Memories” recalling some of the sisters who had taught him
John Ford recalls his years as a student at Our Lady of Lourdes School.
