Sister Barbara Bader

Concordia, Kan.

It was a beautiful Nebraska spring morning on May 9, 1942 that I said goodbye to by dear parents and wonderful family to travel to Concordia from Grand Island, Neb.

I am the seventh child in a family of nine. I grew up on a farm, and attended all church activities at St. Vincent Catholic Church in Seward, Neb.

My experiences have been many and varied to answer God’s call to serve as a teacher, principal, director of religious education and involvement in diocesan and community projects. Many wonderful adventures have come as a spiritual director, counselor and retreat director.

What has been my driving force, my passion, my Guiding Light through all these years? It can be nothing more than a close relationship with God and excellent spiritual direction. My earliest remembrance of how God touched me
intimately was at the time of my First Communion. I was 6 years old and it was on June 16, 1929, when I really realized that God was alive in me. As my journey continued on I joyfully went with my family to all church services
and listened to our Pastor and missionaries that came. At home I prayed the Rosary with my family and watched my Mother as she sprinkled Holy water and lighted candles during the time of storms. My Father read aloud to us the
Scriptures from our Sacred Family Bible. As I grew into a teenager, I was faithful to my Catholic duties. When I moved to Grand Island, I often made visits after work to St. Mary’s Cathedral. After high school, I joined the young peoples club sponsored by Father Leo Keating. He inspired and encouraged me to become a Religious Sister.

I am deeply grateful for the many wonderful relationships with so many Sisters and laypeople who have crossed my path and have been so loving and so supportive. Throughout all my life I know that it is not me but that God has chosen me as His instrument whose power, working in me and through me can do infinitely more than I could ever ask or imagine.