Sister Maria Goretti Beckman, OP
Jubilarian 2026 – 75 Years a Sister
Prayer Ministry
Pray for victims of domestic violence.
75th Jubilee Reflection
“Looking behind, I am filled with gratitude. Looking forward I am filled with vision. Looking upwards I am filled with strength. Looking within, I discover Peace.” ~ Querio Apache Prayer
Looking within, I discover Peace.” I will pray and work for that sense of peace for every person all the rest of my days.
I have been blessed to be a strong witness to the peace of Christ during these 75 years of vowed life. I have stood up for the voiceless and counseled many to find their voice.
We must help wherever we can, wherever we are. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25
I was moved by our 1965 Congregation Direction Statement to seek out a local need in Bay City to help women and children. I started bringing food and needed items to the Bay Area Women’s Center, founded in 1975 by a group of twelve women to provide a safe space and resources for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Later I served on the board for nearly 10 years. I continue to support their mission with financial gifts all these years later.
Once you have seen the signs, the pain of people who are victims of violence, you recognize it. The work of peacemaker never ends. We need more peacemakers. I pray each of us truly sees the human being standing right in front of us.
Additional Thoughts
“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.
