Sister Margaret Rourke — on her 70th Jubilee
PARENTS: John and Margaret Anne Halbleib Rourke
HOMETOWN: Brownell, Kan.
RECEIVED INTO CONGREGATION: March 19, 1947
EDUCATION:
Marymount College, Salina (bachelor’s degree in science and math); University of Montevallo, Va. (master’s in science-math); University of St. Thomas, Houston (master’s in religious education); certificate in pastoral counseling from Mental Health Institute in Independence, Iowa.
MISSIONS:
1948-1980 Teacher in Kansas cities of Tipton, Leoville, Cawker City, Salina, Beloit, Concordia and Clyde
1981 Parish ministry in Council Bluffs, Iowa
1987-1999 Parish ministry at Queen of Holy Rosary Church in Overland Park, Kan.
1999-2011 Mission Coordinator for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brazil, living in Salina, Kan.
2012-2015 Retired to Nazareth Motherhouse, Concordia
2015-present Mount Joseph Senior Village, Concordia
With assistance from Sisters Janet LeDuc & Judy Stephens
Sister Margaret Rourke is a person with a joyful, apostolic spirit! This spirit has been evident throughout her life as a teacher, principal, a pastoral minister in a variety of parishes and as Mission Coordinator promoting our mission in Brazil. Her zeal and creative energy kept her active and “on the road” until she retired.
Following the inspiration of Vatican II, Margaret earned her master’s degree in Religious Studies. She then served for over 25 years as a pastoral minister in parishes in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Kansas City, Kan., and the Clyde-Clay Center area. She loved working with adults in their faith formation and came to know many people along the way.
Margaret also valued her seven years as Mission Coordinator, speaking on behalf of the needs of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brazil and their ministries. Margaret traveled to many parishes to speak when called upon.
On the occasion of her 50th Jubilee in 1997, Margaret was invited to give the homily.
She spoke of the Eucharist as the center and framework for our lives as Chris-
tians and religious women.
She concluded with “… all of creation is dancing the cosmic dance of God. It is the task of Christians to help renew the face of the earth by allowing God to use us to teach the world her dance.”
And her final line: “This type of worship is possible only when we are dancing to the rhythms that the Spirit of God herself dances and hopes that each of us will follow.”
Today Margaret’s presence at Mount Joseph conveys a spirit of inner peace and serenity.