Article updated May 30, 2025 with a CORRECTION: The museum that Sr. Feist helped to operate was at the “Lebret mission” and not at the “Lebret Indian Residential School” as was originally reported.
By Sr. Teresita Kambeitz, OSU
Sr. Bernadette Feist, OSU (Ursulines of Prelate), was this year’s recipient of the St. Philip Neri Award presented by Catholic Missions in Canada in recognition of long time service in Canada’s missions.
The presentation was made May 8 at the “Tastes of Heaven” CMIC fund-raising gala in Toronto.
Her 54 years of ministry with Indigenous people began by her teaching in the Chipewyan community at LaLoche, SK and was followed by 45 years of pastoral ministry in the Qu’Appelle Valley in the Archdiocese of Regina.
She immersed herself in First Nations spirituality by making an eight-day sweat and fast ,and by learning their culture, symbols and rituals.
Having received the simple direction to respond to requests, she engaged in the ministry of listening – “Qu’Appelle” (Who calls?) – and building on the work of previous church leaders by creating the environment to reinforce the Indigenous experience of faith.
In 1985 she was appointed Archdiocesan Director of the Valley Native Ministry Program and was responsible for pastoral ministry on 27 reserves among the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakoda, Dakota and other First Nations.
Supported by funds from Catholic Missions in Canada, she conducted formation programs, did sacramental preparation, led weekend liturgies and funerals and tended to many other pastoral concerns including the rebuilding of six churches that had fallen into ruins.
She formed the Archdiocesan Native Pastoral Council and along with First Nations people set up a weekly lunch program in 1993 as well as a second-hand store called “Too Good to be Threw.”
She helped to operate the museum of the Lebret mission and mapped the graves in three parish cemeteries. In a 20 year period, she participated in over 800 wakes and funerals, including cultural rituals and ceremonies led by elders.
In 1993 she began printing a monthly newsletter with a circulation to 120 subscribers.
For 12 years, she coordinated the “twinning” of Native Ministry with 18 CWL groups that donated clothing, funds and other goods.
She has worked with four Archbishops and numerous Oblate, Jesuit and diocesan priests, local and international, in the challenges of integrating their cultures with the varying cultures of First Nations people.
Now living in Saskatoon, she is writing a book about her pastoral ministry amongst First Nations People.
About Catholic Missions in Canada:
Founded in 1908 as the Catholic Church Extension Society, Catholic Missions in Canada is a registered non-profit charity that works to advance and sustain the Catholic faith in Canada “from sea to sea to sea.” CMIC has a mandate to serve Roman Catholic and Ukrainian Catholic bishops and their dioceses, supporting missionary outreach, education of seminarians, formation programs for lay leaders, repair and maintenance of mission services and supporting religious education programs. Learn more and/or donate to CMIC at cmic.info/donate
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Diocesan Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa .