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JUN 08 LBW
Sister Margaret
Bebb, OSB, grew up in Wichita Falls, TX. She was the youngest,
and only girl, in a family of three children. She began her
musical education at the age of six with piano lessons. She
would later study the cello, as well.
Sister
Margaret received a Masters Degree in Musicology from Texas
State College for Women and for two years was on the faculty of
the music department at Austin College in Sherman, TX. While
teaching there she met Mlle. Lelia Gousseau, a renowned pianist,
who invited Sister Margaret to join her at the Conservatoire
National Superieur in Paris. This two-year sojourn in Paris
brought great changes to her life – she was inspired to turn to
teaching piano to young children, and she converted to
Catholicism. Upon her return to Texas, she became involved with
the Benedictine Sisters from Sacred Heart Monastery, who were
serving at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish. In 1962 she entered
the Monastery and began teaching at Sacred Heart Academy.
While chairman
of the music department at the Academy, she introduced the use
of guitars, drums and bass violins to liturgical music “…it is
to be used when teen-agers gather together to worship God.
There is no reason why they should not be allowed and even
encouraged to express themselves naturally when they speak to
God.”
Sister
Margaret returned to Texas to care for her elderly father for
several years. She returned to the Monastery in 1988, and made
her temporary profession in February of 1989. Her final
profession came in August of 1992. She was on the faculty at
Illinois Benedictine College (now Benedictine University) until
her retirement in 1999.
In 1992, she
received a Masters in Religious Studies from Mundelein College
(now part of Loyola University). As a student, she was awarded
a graduate assistantship to work on the development of the
Center for Women and Peace. She took this knowledge to the
Monastery, where she was involved in the formation of the peace
and justice ministry of the Sisters. She was in charge of the
PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) program that was hosted
by the Sisters until the renovation of the Monastery began. She
said of her work for PADS, “The volunteers see these people as
Jesus. Jesus walked the streets. Jesus depended on the people
to feed Him. He didn’t have a job. They are compelled to reach
out and help those in need.”
Sister
Margaret was often invited to travel around the country judging
young people’s piano accomplishments at tests and competitions.
She enjoyed working with them at these events, and saw their
work on their musical skills as a part of their character
formation. During her years at the Monastery, she also served
as the Guest Directress, supervised the Dining Room, and
directed the Sisters’ choir while playing the piano and organ.
In her retirement, she assists with the community laundry, and
enjoys jigsaw puzzles.
Sister
Margaret says, “I have been here for many years, and there
hasn’t been anything I haven’t enjoyed.”
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