Sister Virginia Pearl, CSJ, continues Deacon Rondeau’s ministry in Larned

When speaking to Sister Virginia Pearl, CSJ, one can’t help but be lifted spiritually and emotionally a notch or two; her words, her smile, the gleam in her eyes tell you immediately that she loves being in service of the Lord.

This is the message she takes with her each and every time she enters the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility, where she recently took over the ministry of Deacon Richard Rondeau, and his wife, Marge. Deacon Rondeau retired Sept. 1 after 16 years of ministry (see the story above).

The ministry is nothing new for Sister Virginia, who has served as a volunteer at the facility for the past 15 years.

“It’s a continuation of the volunteering I’ve been doing, but with the responsibility of the Eucharistic services,” she said

Her primary ministry has been to serve at Larned State Hospital, located adjacent to the Correctional Mental Health Facility, as well as at the Larned Juvenile Correctional Facility. Because many occupants will transfer from one facility to another, Sister Virginia found that when she followed Deacon Rondeau on his rounds last month, she already knew many of the inmates.

“Our clients are some of the very same people who transfer back and forth depending upon their level of need,” she said. “Many of them had been at our hospital these last 15 years. A lot of them knew me. I didn’t realize they were there.

“I felt very much at home,” she added. “In fact, the ones who came to Dick Rondeau’s celebration when I went the first time, I knew all of them. It’s been a very simple transition.”

Deacon Rondeau, she said, was “a natural. It was just so edifying to follow Marge and Dick around the last month. I could see him look into the eyes of these men, and those eyes would be so gentle. It was because of Dick’s genuine love in what he was doing, and the genuine love that he had for those men. It was just a powerful experience. He could explain things so well to them when they would ask a question about their faith. I just can’t say enough about what I found both Dick and Marge doing.”

Also serving all three facilities – which include six chapels among them – is Larned pastor Father Bernard Felix, who celebrates Mass once a month at each facility and offers reconciliation services.

“I feel like it’s the work of Jesus,” Sister Virginia said. “Jesus went out and sought out those who were most in need of healing. It’s that simple.”