This past Wednesday, April 6th, BSM held a prayer service dedicated to beloved teacher, Sister Jeanne Marie Vanderlinde, who was recently diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer that has metastasized to her lungs and lymph nodes.

Junior High religion and APUSH teacher Sister Jeanne Marie, left BSM at the beginning of 2022, due to her recent diagnosis, and since then BSM has missed her greatly. To convey how much the community misses her presence, a prayer service was held to honor all she has done and continues to do for BSM, as well as offering up prayers to assist her in healing. “The most important thing we can do from a distance here, is let her know how much we love her and pray for her. Not only does prayer give power to the people that we’re praying for, but it brings us together and gives us purpose and meaning,” Campus Ministry Director Mike Jeremiah said.

Since leaving BSM, Sister Jeanne Marie has returned to the College of St. Benedict, where her Benedictine sisters accompany her. As the last remaining Benedictine sister at BSM, Sister Jeanne Marie remains a very important part of the community, through her spirit, teaching, and generosity. Up at St. Ben’s she is joined by a team of doctors working to help her fight cancer. “She has an oncologist that she just loves, who has got a treatment program set for her and who is working with her on things. She takes a daily chemo pill and she has an infusion every six weeks. In fact, her next one will be next week on Holy Thursday,” Jeremiah said.

As Sister Jeanne Marie is meaningful to everyone in the community, students, faculty and staff, and alumni were all affected by the news of the diagnosis. “We heard from all alumni, newer alumni, older alumni, people that she’s taught. A lot of some of our current student body actually has parents that went here. It’s like we’re all a family,” Junior High Principal Rikki Mortl said.

While Sister Jeanne Marie is trying to stay positive during these difficult times, BSM is doing everything they can to alleviate some of the stress that comes with a serious medical diagnosis. “We’ve just helped to support her as she’s been on this journey. We have faculty and staff members that have gone up and visited her. So just by staying in touch with her and communicating with her, and the seventh grade religion class and the APUSH classes sent cards,” Mortl said.

The entirety of the BSM community is cheering her on from St. Louis Park as she is on her journey to healing. “She’s just been a pillar of strength and hope in life and love. I think she has just made it a better place and made it a better place just by being here, and [also] more Christ centered,” Mortl said.