Sister Rosemary (Rosie) Bonk, SSND

Professed in 1963

Current Ministry: Pastoral Minister at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Milwaukee

What fun these 43 years as an SSND have been! Where has the time gone? How marvelous to have been a part of so many people's lives. I think of experiences I never would have had if I hadn't entered this community.

At my first missions of St. Elizabeth in Milwaukee and Messmer High School I experienced the wonderful African American community. Their ability to speak so easily of God and to give praise was and is so spiritually refreshing for me.

Then, to live at Our Lady of Guadalupe and experience the richness of the Hispanic culture broadened my horizons again. Most of my ministry days have been teaching teenagers. I am very grateful that God gave me a good sense of humor to connect with them so well.

Besides my years of teaching, I have done freelance sessions for adults at the various colleges in Milwaukee focusing on topics that touch on psychology, theology, or both. What marvelous graces have come to me as I walk with others in this way.

Because of my teaching World Religions, I developed an interest in Buddhism, especially to the mindfulness found in Buddhism. The last nine years, I have been working in a parish of 5000 persons, and once again God has taken me to "places" and "persons" I would never go to on my own.

God has brought a number of persons into my life from Africa. I've had the opportunity of working with a parishioner who is a political refugee from Sierra Leone. Through our SSND alms committee and the help of my parish's table of sharing we have helped him open a beauty shop for young women and a tailoring shop for young men who would otherwise find their life on the streets. I also had the privilege of meeting someone from the Ivory Coast who came to me wanting to be baptized. His lovely daughter has since become my godchild. What wondrous things God does right in my own backyard.

Another delight is the gift of playing my accordion for various age levels.children as well as the elderly at nursing homes. There is nothing like music to relax and have fun!

So with gratitude I have lived as an SSND these years!