Sister Georganne can be called a “trail blazer.” She was the first woman chaplain at St. Cloud Hospital and thirteen years later was a co-founder of the St. Therese Center for Special Ministry. Now she stands on the cusp of a new ministry of “walking with people and encouraging them to find meaning in their lives.” What is important, she says, is doing what she does best: listening.

S. Georganne listens with her heart and mind. She did this as chaplain along with Fr. John McManus, OMI and Fr. Al Stangl at the hospital. Then, with their assistance and support, she moved into a new ministry to the bereaved. For 23 years, she directed the St. Therese Center for Special Ministry. Here, with a “wonderful” group of volunteers, she provided programs and counseling for individuals and groups. “Seeing people heal and find hope,” she says, “filled me with gratitude and humility.” She also started Project Rachel in the St. Cloud area, a healing ministry for those who regret the decision to have an abortion.

The youngest of seven, S. Georganne learned at an early age to love and help others. Her family is a close and supportive one. When she was 14 years old, she chose to come to Saint Benedict’s for high school. Perhaps Sister Mary Anthony Wagner, a close friend of her mother’s, or her eighth grade teacher, S. Mary Hildebrand, helped her take this step and become a Benedictine. She taught elementary school for several years in St. Cloud and taught and served as principal at Pierz, while completing a master’s degree in counseling.