1101 32nd Avenue South * Fargo, North Dakota 58103
(701)237-4857 * FAX: (701)237-9822
My first mission was at St.
Joseph’s Hospital, Grafton, North Dakota. I was a Nurse Aide. From 1959 to 1962, I was in the School of Nursing in Aberdeen, South Dakota. After schooling, I returned to Grafton and joined the nursing staff.
In those days, prior to the hiring of Social Workers and Pastoral Ministry personnel, we on the nursing staff took care of those duties by being a liaison between the patients, physicians, pastors, and families.
From Grafton, I went to St. Mary’s Hospital in Langdon where I served for about two years. I also spent some years at Carrington Hospital, Carrington, North Dakota. St. Ansgar’s Hospital in Park River, North Dakota was the facility where I spent the most years. There I was appointed Coordinator of Christian Effectiveness--the forerunner of the present Pastoral Ministry position. At St. Ansgar’s I made many close friends among coworkers and others.
My experience in the rural hospitals made me aware of problems of many in the farming and business community as I seemed close to the people in the area. I was always grateful for their generosity and thoughfulness. People made me feel part of the local community.
After a number of years working in Park River, it became evident that my MS no longer permitted me to stay in active nursing. I returned to our Mother House and became the full-time receptionist at Presentation Center. As my health declined, I continued on a part-time basis until it became necessary for me to retire completely.
Now my ministry is one of needing help and accepting it graciously. In turn, I pray for the needs of the world. I do keep up correspondence with many friends that I have made over the years and use a speaker phone to keep in contact with others.
~ S. Consilia
