October 2007: SISTER MARYANN BERARD For nearly 20 years, Dr. Bette Gebrian-Magloire, Haitian Health Foundation’s Director of Public Health, has worked with Sister Maryann Berard and stated that “she has buried many, celebrated new life, walked in the mud with the poor, and has never lost hope in the future generation.” Bette added that “she has worked through coups, political protests, tire burnings, and never flinched. I also recall the year when she calmly drove up to a protest, which included burning tires, and said in Haitian Creole, ‘Excuse me, I have to go to church.’ The entire crowd moved to let her pass by. This is quite a testament to the respect that the Haitians have for this wonderfully-tough, yet gentle Sister, who constantly shows her faith and quietly strengthens those around her.” The story begins in Missouri Sister Maryann was born on January 30, 1945 in St. Louis, MO, as the first of seven children of Celse and Marjorie (Nelson) Berard. She lived there until she was six years old, at which time they moved to Washington, MO. “From a very young age, I always wanted to be a Sister and wanted to dedicate my life to the service of others,” Sister Maryann said. “Every Congregation I wrote had schools, and I knew I didn’t want to be a teacher.” She worked through high school at Patke’s Dairy making ice cream and also at her father’s dental office. But she knew that religious life was where she would ultimately be. “During my senior year of high school, my father introduced me to the congregation sponsoring the local hospital. (The Hospital Sisters sponsored St. Francis Hospital, Washington, MO from 1926-1969.) After visiting the Motherhouse she admitted that she “didn’t have a single question for the Sisters because I knew this was where I belonged. Best of all we didn’t have to make our clothes,” she laughed. She entered the Community of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on September 8, 1962, and began her ministry. A healthcare ministry Originally, medical and laboratory work was appealing, but nursing never crossed her mind. “I also liked the thought of doing missionary work.” Her first assignment was at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (Belleville, IL) as a nurse aide where she “worked every floor and every shift and loved it,” she admitted. She then earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marillac College, St. Louis, MO, followed by assignments back at St. Elizabeth’s and later at St. John’s Hospital (Springfield, IL), and St. Francis Convent (Springfield). The other side of the world In 1979, the Sisters needed nurses at their clinic in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, and Sister Maryann accepted the invitation; arriving in January 1980. “We cared for the patients in the clinic but also visited many people in their home.” Two years later, she returned to Springfield and then served three years at St. Joseph’s Hospital (Chippewa Falls, WI). And then a question came before her: Had she ever thought about going to India? “I said, ‘no, actually, I had not.’ All I knew of India were snakes and elephants!” She accepted the invitation and was pleased when the VISA arrived for her entry. I knew this was God’s will because entry VISA’s were difficult to obtain,” she admitted. In November 1985, she arrived in India. “I knew that I would be in India forever and found great satisfaction in my work. We had an outpatient clinic, were caring for the lepers, and providing physical therapy – especially to polio patients,” she said. But on February 14, 1989 a policeman informed her that she was being deported. “The government insisted that I leave the country and the only reason given was because I represented the Church,” she explained. So she returned to Springfield and again cared for the Sisters - praying that somehow God would return her to India. But God had another plan. The next chapter in her life of service Sister Paula Lause was recuperating at the Motherhouse and asked Sister Maryann to accompany her to Haiti. “While Sister Paula was stationed in Highland, she had visited Haiti and hoped to return to care for the Haitian people. During her visit, she had been given the name of Dr. Jeremiah Lowney, an American who was planning to bring healthcare services to Jeremie, Haiti. She shared this with the Provincial Council at the Motherhouse who accepted Dr. Lowney’s invitation to provide Sisters in his missionary work.” Sister Paula was not able to return to Haiti, but Sister Maryann accepted the opportunity to serve. “Haiti could have been on the other side of Highland for all I knew! I didn’t know if it was hot or cold, hilly or flat,” she added. In September 1989, she arrived in Jeremie along with Sister Joan Jordan. Since that time, Sister Maryann has done exactly what she dreamed of for her life: to serve God and others. Through the Haitian Health Foundation (HHF) and the other Hospital Sisters who have served and continue to serve, they have made a difference in improving the health and well being of the poor, sick, and the infirmed in the Jeremie area. With a focus on women and children, they have established outpatient clinics, a public health outreach program, residential and outpatient nutritional rehabilitation services, maternal waiting home, and community development programs. Sister Maryann works closely with the poorest Haitian families in providing education for the children, shelter for the families, and organizing small projects for the family's income generation. Since 1989, several buildings, a church, a school, homes, and latrines have been built. Most of all, lives have been saved. In tribute Dr. Jeremiah J. Lowney, Jr., founding president of HHF, says "The Haitian Health Foundation owes much of our success over the past 25 years because of the excellent administrative skills and intense love of the poor of Sister Maryann. It's hard to conceive of HHF without Sister Maryann because she is such an integral part of the outreach. To the poor living in southwest Haiti, HHF IS Sister Maryann Berard.” Final thoughts Every day Sister Maryann reads her favorite quote from Proverbs: “Have confidence in the Lord with all your heart; in all your ways think of Him and He will direct your steps.” She concluded by sharing “I have had a most interesting life! I am grateful for my daily opportunities to be with the poor, build them houses and offer them food, and provide care for the sick. I truly never had big ambitions for myself and was always happy wherever I was. I can only say that when you’re being of service to others, you can make a difference!"

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