WICHITA. - More than 160 family members, former students, priests, Sisters and friends gathered to celebrate the distinguished career of Sister Cecilia Bush, CSJ, at Church of the Magdalen June 2.

The theme of the event, "A Woman for All Seasons," recognized Sister Cecilia’s varied ministries as a teacher at Cathedral High School in Wichita; principal of St. Patrick High School in Parsons; instructor, academic dean and president of St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, 1957-61, and 1961-75, respectively; and editor of the Catholic Advance, the newspaper of the Diocese of Wichita, 1984-88.

"Seeing my former students, colleagues, family and friends who have lived with me through all my seasons was an unforgettable joy," said Sister Cecilia.

Jim NcNiece, a 1971 St. Mary of the Plains College graduate, was master of ceremonies. Several attendees shared memories of their relationship with Sister Cecilia; then the microphone was passed among the crowd to share their stories. Several used the terms "model" and "icon" in describing the honoree.

A letter from Bishop Marion F. Forst was read at the banquet. He served as bishop of Dodge City when Sister Cecilia was president of SMPC. "If I were with you, I would tell of my appreciation for what you are doing for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita, as well as what you did for St. Mary of the Plains College," wrote Bishop Forst.

"A mistake the government made in the closing of St. Mary’s was its failure to realize what a contribution the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita had made to southwest Kansas. The Sisters had gone west, rather than staying in the more populated, more inviting east. They set up schools in small locations, even some public schools. When (St. Mary of the Plains) Academy was destroyed by a tornado during World War II, the Sisters rebuilt a brand new co-educational high school and college on a fine piece of property. They ran the school well, with some of the best faculty in all of Kansas. Their work is still cherished in western Kansas. May God bless you in gratitude for your treasured leadership of St. Mary of the Plains College."

Those gathered would not know until the next day that Bishop Forst died in an Olathe hospital, just hours after his letter was read.

The honoree then shared her own reflections on the seasons of her life and expressed her gratitude for God’s many blessings to her.

At the event, Bob Walterscheid, a 1951 graduate of Cathedral High School, announced the establishment of the Sister Cecilia Bush award. The annual award will recognize those who exemplify the direction of the founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, "to serve the ‘dear neighbor’ with the same devotion as Joseph had for Jesus and Mary." It was established to honor Sister Cecilia for distinguished service in education, communications, development and the church. The first recipient will be announced in the spring of 2008.

Anyone may nominate a candidate for the award. Nominees must meet one or more of the following criteria: outstanding achievement in the nominee’s work or profession; someone who has fully embraced a ministry to benefit those in need; leadership and excellence in education or the arts; promotion of the common good in personal and professional life; those who have taken risks or shown creative approaches to addressing problems in the community. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 1, 2008. To receive an application, call (316) 689-4061.

At Sister Cecilia’s request, proceeds from the buffet supper and program will benefit the Sisters of St. Joseph Dear Neighbor Ministries.