Sister Mary Bernadette ND 5963 PDF Download
Gloria Jean PENDOLA
Immaculate Conception Province, USA
Date and Place of Birth: June 22, 1945 Richmond, California
Date and Place of Profession: August 16, 1965 Los Angeles, California
Date and Place of Death: December 15, 2021 Mary Health of the Sick, Newbury Park, California
Sister Mary Bernadette was the only daughter of Charles and Mary Dilena Pendola. Gloria had a brother, Raymond, who was 17 years older than she. He died in his late fifties of Parkinson’s Disease as did their father.
Gloria attended St. Cornelius Elementary School and St. Joseph High School in Berkeley. However, at the beginning of her junior year, she became an aspirant at Notre Dame Academy in Los Angeles. She entered the community in February 1963 and professed her first vows in 1965.
Although Sister Mary Bernadette spent the next 24 years ministering in elementary and secondary education, her first love was caring for the sick. Subsequently, she became a licensed vocational nurse. At the same time, Sister continued to nurture a love for the Congregation’s missions. Her long-time dream to serve at an SND mission came true in 2000 when she was assigned to the dispensary in Jamalpur, India. Later, she ministered as the school nurse at St. Julie School in Buseesa, Uganda.
In 2007, she joined the community at Notre Dame Center because of a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. She served as receptionist and provided secretarial support services. A thrill of her life was traveling to Lourdes in 2013 under the auspices of the Knights of Malta.
Sister Mary Bernadette was a talented artist as seen through her liturgical banners and greeting cards. She designed a ceramic plaque of St. Julie Billiart for St. Andrew’s Abbey, Valyermo, which is available at the abbey’s book store. In her prayer and concerns, her deep love for the missions was always evident; she delighted in Eastern spirituality and “all that is Indian.”
Sister’s life was punctuated with much gratitude. She was extremely grateful for her family who surrounded her with love and support throughout her life; for the many sisters who taught her and encouraged her during her elementary school years; for her relatives and friends who provided fun and laughter throughout her life; and especially for all those who lovingly cared for her during her long illness with Parkinson’s Disease.
“God is my good Father, in Whom I trust, and to Whom I abandon all. God is Jesus, my Lord and companion. I love Him and His mission and am willing to risk everything for it. God is Holy Spirit, Who makes all things new, and in His light brings rebirth.”
Excerpt from Sr. M. Bernadette’s Mission Statement
by Dreamhost