In Loving Memory...

Sister M. Rita Bernard, CSC
(Maria Adelle Brady)
Birth: June 5, 1911
Profession: August 15, 1932
Death: November 4, 2006

Sister Rita loved dogs and coaches, maybe not in that order. 

The coaches called Rita, “R.B.,” and they loved her. Rita could tell you about every Notre Dame team and player in the current year and from when she was growing up in Sacramento, California. She also kept current on baseball, football and basketball across the country. Sister R.B. was the first to get the sport pages.

I met Sister Rita Bernard at Mountain View, California, when she was in charge of the bookstore at Holy Cross High School. I was amazed at how she could talk the “problem” girls into helping in the bookstore and, through their love of R.B., remove the problems and have them follow her anywhere.

Holy Cross merged with Saint Francis High School, a Holy Cross Brothers school, and again I witnessed her magic touch with the tough boys’ coaches and, of course, the outstanding women coaches. R.B. was at every game and practice. Students looked for her enthusiastic presence. R.B. was very real and she cared about all sports and those who played.

Rita was generous at home as well as at work. Rita helped the retired Sisters Augustina and Patricianne keep their rooms spotless and did their laundry. She rounded up a young sister named Patricia Roland to be a partner in cleaning sisters’ rooms and spending time with these great women.

Rita never tired of helping students, faculty and her sisters. She loved people and was interested in what they were about. Rita loved her family and kept up a constant correspondence with all her nieces and nephews. Her correspondence also included many former students and coaches.

As I struggle to capture the person I love so much, these are the words that come: close to God and so much fun to be with whether cleaning or enjoying a break at Aptos, California, or the chalet in the canyons surrounding Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Rita was such a gift to students who needed someone to care about them. It was her energy for living that drew all of us to her, not just for the moment but also into lifetimes of friendship and love.

Written by Pat Roland, a friend and former member of the Sisters of the Holy Cross

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry With the Poor Fund, Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556.