Sister Maria Goretti Beckman, OP

“I try to make sense of life. I try to keep myself open to people, to laughter, to love, and to have faith.”

~ Sr. Thea Bowman

Marcella Rose Ann Beckman, born on July 9, 1933 in Chesaning, was the ninth of eleven children to Marcellus and Rosa Becman. Her parents prayed the rosary every night that God would choose one of them. They instilled in their children to be persons of service. Seventy years later and she is still doing service.

Marcella attended St. Michael’s School in Maple Grove. Beginning in the seventh grade she began volunteering at the convent, and she joined the community halfway through her senior year of high school.

Received as Sister Maria Goretti of My Mother of Confidence, she ministered throughout Michigan as housekeeper, student, teacher, principal, pastoral worker and director of religious education.

While helping others, Sister Goretti continued her education, earning a BA from Aquinas College and an MA in Elementary Administration and Supervision from Western Michigan University.

In the 1980s, Sister Goretti’s ministry began to focus more on peacemaking. Becoming a leader in Pax Christi of Michigan, she applied her God-given gifts to significantly increase Michigan members of this international organization. In 2010, she was the recipient of the Pax Christi Michigan 2010 Purple Ribbon for Peace award.

Sr. Marie Goretti has had many opportunities to study and travel, made possible because of her vowed life as a Grand Rapids Dominican. She was able to minister in various ministries which she never dreamed she would be able to do… cook….teacher…principal…pastoral administrator. With each ministry she was looking for ways to live out our direction statements. Most of her ministry was at St. Joseph, Bay City.

Sr. Maria Goretti’s volunteering at the Marywood Health Center was full of gratitude to be in the presence of holy women.

Her hobbies are baking, joking/puns, making rolls often, surprising the Sisters and always with laughter.