Sister Margaret Schreck – on her 60th Jubilee
HOMETOWN: Marienthal, Kan.
RECEIVED INTO CONGREGATION: March 19, 1956
RELIGIOUS NAME: Sister Marguerite Cecile
EDUCATION: Marymount College, Salina (bachelor’s degree); Kansas State University, Manhattan (master’s degree)
MISSIONS:
- 1957-1967 Grand Island, Neb.; teaching
- 1967-1971 Sacred Heart High School, Salina; teaching
- 1971-1972 Grand Island, Neb.; teaching
- 1972-1974 Junction City, Kan.; teaching
- 1974-1977 Manhattan, Kan.; adult education
- 1977 Junction City, Kan.; volunteering
- 1982 Lawton, Okla.; volunteering with refugees
- 1985 San Antonio, Texas; working with Mexican, Haitan and Honduran students
- 1986 Tunica, Miss.; working with the elderly
- 1987-1992 Yarnell, Ariz.; teaching English-as-a-second language
- 1992 Searcy, Ark.; Morris School for Boys
- 1993-2012 Tour guide at the Nazareth Motherhouse
- 2013-present Mount Joseph Senior Village, Concordia
Being a Sister of St. Joseph has meant to me freedom — to do God’s will and God’s work wherever the Spirit led me.
With the spiritual, emotional and financial support of the congregation, I have taught English-as-a-second language to the foreign wives of servicemen.
I also taught refugees who had come directly from the refugee camps to settle in Oklahoma, and I taught English to Mexican, Haitian and Honduran orphans in an enrichment program in Arizona.
All in these groups were especially needy in their own way and also very appreciative of any help I gave them by my presence, advice or teaching.
Another unusual Spirit-led endeavor was assisting elderly black people in their homes in Mississippi.
Later, there was another Spirit-led surprise: I was given the role of tour guide at the Nazareth Motherhouse, where
the visitors were limited in their knowledge about the Motherhouse, Catholicism and religious life.
Like other “clients,” they were appreciative of my presence and expertise.
These unique paths were always interesting and challenging to follow, and they wouldn’t have been possible to experience with both faith and certainty had I not had the security of being a Sister of St. Joseph of Concordia.
I am grateful.
An amazing woman and full of grace—I think about her often. She was an inspiration and mentor to me and countless others. She was never judgmental and always sought to help those who needed help the most. There were so many kind and good things that she did that were never noticed—and that is how she liked it. She never kept score with her kindness and good deeds, but if she had she would have been at the very top of her class. She is an all star! I feel very fortunate to have been her student and friend. Congratulations Sister
Marguerite Cecile!
Thank you for listing Sister Margie’s service history so thoroughly. I am one of her nieces, the daughter of her sister Adalia Schreck-Morin. This gives the family a timeline of her extensive background. Besides all of her accomplishments, she has a unique and lively personality to go with it! She is a ‘prayer warrior’ for many peoplel’s needs, from the small to the great in their requests. We appreciate all that she has done for the communities she has been involved with, as well as her friends and family.