†Sister Bernice Garcia, OP

“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” ~ Mark 2:19

Sister Bernice Garcia rejoiced in the above quotation from St. Mark. That joy was evident throughout the many and varied ministries of her long life as a Dominican Sister. Bernice was born on May 21, 1937, in Menzano, New Mexico, the fifth of seven children born to Roman and Josefina Baca Garcia. Hers was a close-knit family rooted in a strong Catholic faith. She attended St. Francis Xavier School in Albuquerque for her elementary education.

When Bernice was fourteen, a visiting Dominican Sister awakened in her a desire to become a Sister. Although her parents were hesitant, arrangements were made for her to enter the Aspirancy at Marywood. Having never been away from home – even overnight – Bernice was accompanied by her mother, who purchased a return train ticket “just in case.” It was never used. Her brothers had even wagered that she would not stay; Bernice happily collected on the bet at the time of her Silver Jubilee.

After completing four years as an aspirant, Bernice entered the community as a postulant in 1955. At Reception, she received the name Sister Mary Boniface of our Lady of Guadalupe, which she retained until the changes following Vatican II. After profession and studies at Aquinas College, she began a teaching ministry in elementary and junior high schools, serving at Sacred Heart in Mt. Pleasant; St. Thomas in Grand Rapids; St. Michael in Suttons Bay; Holy Cross on Beaver Island; and St. Joseph in Bay City.

Her appointment to St. Anthony School in Peñasco brought Sister Bernice back to her native New Mexico and introduced her to new challenges. Sister Maura, administrative assistant for the Archdiocesan schools, envisioned an ungraded school. Together with two other Sisters, Sister Bernice transformed that innovative dream into a successful reality. The experience foreshadowed the creative initiatives that would characterize her ministry. Soon afterward, she received a grant from New Mexico State University to prepare as an educational leader for Native American and Spanish-speaking communities.

That preparation led to another innovative ministry at Holy Cross School in Santa Cruz. There, Sister Bernice taught seventh and eighth graders from Holy Cross, McCurdy Methodist School, and several other schools. This ecumenical program brought together students from ten different Christian denominations. Her presence and leadership helped heal longstanding divisions and foster understanding among communities that had been separated by years of misunderstanding and mistrust.

Following her term from 1972-1976 as Councilor in congregational leadership, Sister Bernice returned to New Mexico to serve as Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. At the request of the Archbishop, she later became principal of St. Francis Xavier School in Albuquerque.

Her ministry continued to evolve as she served as principal of St. Mary’s School in Belen and Our Lady of the Assumption School in Albuquerque; pastoral associate at the Church of the Risen Savior; housing coordinator for the Women’s Housing Coalition; and Director of Religious Education at San Jose Parish.

As the needs of the Church changed, so did Sister Bernice’s ministry. She moved naturally from classroom teacher and administrator to parish life coordinator. In March 2010, she received the Lumen Ecclesiae Award from the Dominican Ecclesial Institute in recognition of her outstanding service to the Catholic community, particularly in adult faith formation.

Deeply influenced by the reforms of Vatican II and practical by nature, Sister Bernice simply saw what needed to be done and did it. When a parish needed leadership and no priest was available, she willingly accepted the role of parish administrator. In that capacity, she carried out every aspect of parish life except those sacramental ministries reserved to the ordained.

Throughout her life, Sister Bernice reflected often on the ways her faith had deepened through both joy and suffering. Her ministry among the desperately poor in Juárez, Mexico, and her own experience of accompaniment of dear friends facing terminal cancer profoundly shaped her understanding of the Paschal Mystery. Reflecting on this, she wrote: “Good Friday is the path to Easter and Resurrection.”

Her remarkable combination of initiative, perseverance, practical wisdom, and deep faith in the dignity of every person fueled countless accomplishments. Among them was her role as co-founder and board member of the Southwest Creations Collaborative, an innovative and highly successful program dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty. The Collaborative provides women meaningful employment where they are treated with dignity, paid a fair wage, offered affordable childcare, and empowered to help support their families.

In this ministry, as in so many others, Sister Bernice’s joyful spirit and confidence reflected her abiding conviction that God accompanied her every step of the journey. Her last years were lived peacefully at Aquinata Hall. Here, despite her inability to speak, she expressed her joy and gratitude for life and the love surrounding her through gestures and facial expression. Indeed, her fondness for St. Mark’s Gospel about the happiness of the guests at the wedding feast were reflected in her quiet and calm acceptance as she prepared to meet her God.

Sister Bernice is survived by nieces, nephews, and members of her Dominican Community.