Meet Sister Bernardine Smith, CSJ Hamilton
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Sister Bernardine Smith
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Sister Bernardine is a Hamilton girl through and through. Born and raised in this fair city Sister was the oldest of 4 children. She attended local schools and after graduation went to work at the Westinghouse plant in 1955. During this time Sister Bernardine witnessed the deep faith of her parents, a loving faith filled home that influenced Sister Bernardine to seek a life of Service to God. One year later Sister had confirmed her desire to enter the convent.
After making her final vows Sister Bernardine worked in the Finance Department at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Guelph. In 1961 Sister was asked to go to the House of Providence, a facility for the aged, for a temporary 3 week placement. Sister’s task was to help the finance department catch up… 23 years later Sister Bernardine was still there. The facility had become the St. Joseph’s Villa by then with a whole new building. During this time Sister Bernardine realized that serving in a ministry of Pastoral Care was very rewarding and so she pursed this goal in a structural way and left the finance world. She returned to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Guelph but in Pastoral Ministry capacity. After 44 years in Health Care Sister retired and took some Sabbath time during the year of the Great Jubilee.
Along with her years of experience in Pastoral Care, Sister Bernardine continues to feel privileged as she is a member of a senior group of Sisters. This year is very special to Sister Bernardine as she is celebrating her 50th year as a Sister of St. Joseph of Hamilton. Also as remarkable, this year, Sister is preparing for the 70th wedding anniversary of her parents, a significant occasion within the Congregation as well as her family.
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