Sr. Msc

Opelousas -Sr. Madeleine Sophie Hebert, MSC was born Fay Wilhelmina on August 29, 1912 in Morgan City, Louisiana to Katherine Beatrice Vinson and Julius Peter Hebert.

Deceased at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home on October 3, 2015 at 9:15 AM.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Connie Lee and Billie Krauss , and her brother, Julius Hebert.

Sr. Madeleine attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Morgan City and was taught by the Marianites of Holy Cross. Early on, she was impressed by the dedication of the Sisters and felt a call to become a Marianite. In a recent conversation with her, she shared that the call to enter religious life faded for a while, but it returned and grew in its sincerity and intensity. Under the direction of one of the Sisters, she taught the kindergarten class the year following high school graduation. At 18 years of age, she entered the Marianites on September 8, 1930. She made her first vows on August 9, 1932, her final profession on August 9, 1935 and embarked on what would become a lifetime of remarkable experiences.

While completing a degree in education at Loyola University in New Orleans, her early years were spent in elementary education as teacher and principal in several Catholic schools in New Orleans, Franklin, Morgan City, and Ville Platte. What she described as very surprising was the call from the Marianite Provincial in early 1955 to begin studying hospital administration at St. Louis University. After successfully completing the course of studies, she became the first administrator of Opelousas General Hospital in Opelousas, Louisiana. Sister Madeleine remained for seven years in that role, guiding the hospital from its earliest beginnings and initial struggles to becoming a growing and developing major health care institution in this region.

In 1964, she was elected Superior General or Mother Superior of the Marianites to lead the world-wide Congregation. From the Mother House of the Congregation in Le Mans, France, she served in this position for 13 years, learning to converse and carry out business affairs in French while overseeing the implementation of the changes demanded by the Second Vatican Council for all religious congregations.

In 1977, she returned to New Orleans and was again called into leadership service by the Marianites. This time she was named to a two-fold role of provincial councillor for the Louisiana Province and as the President of Our Lady of Holy Cross College. It seems that one of these positions would have been challenge enough for one person yet she was able to faithfully fulfill both, due to her generosity of service and dedication to the Congregation.

Always ready and eager to serve, she left New Orleans and went to the Diocese of Alexandria-Shreveport in 1982. There she ministered as co-director of the Permanent Diaconate Program and also assisted with the archives of the Diocese and rendered service at Maryhill Retreat Center in Pineville, LA in the Book Store.


Being well aware of her many gifts, the Marianite leadership asked her to use these skills between 1991-1994, to write the Annals of the Congregation. She spent time between Louisiana and France to organize and write this history. Following the completion of the Marianite Annals in 1994, she assisted in the Development Office for the Congregation and in 1996, she began to work as Congregational Historian and Assistant Archivist and continued in this work until she retired.

She held degrees in education from Loyola University in New Orleans, in Theology from St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana; in Education from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas; and an Honorary Doctorate in Education from Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans.

Some notable firsts in her life include:
-First Marianite to serve as principal at St. Mary of the Angels Elementary School, New Orleans.
-First Marianite to earn a masters degree in Theology from St. Mary's College in Indiana.
-First Marianite to give a presentation at the convention of the National Catholic Education Association.
-First Marianite to study and earn a degree in Hospital Administration.
-First administrator of Opelousas General Hospital.
-First religious elected President of the Louisiana Hospital Association.
-First Marianite to be re-elected to three terms as Superior General since Mother Mary of the Seven Dolors, first Superior General of the Marianites in the 1800s.
While these facts are remarkable, what is exceptional is the heart permeating these experiences. Sr. Madeleine's heart was the classroom for countless students, parents, Marianites, family members and friends who have listened to her instruction and been molded by her example.
Recently, she shared some reflections on her life and she explained that each day was a day of gratitude because in each step along her journey she has held fast to trust in God's Divine Providence. While she remained in awe at the responsibilities entrusted to her over the years, she recalled that she "never doubted that good would result" because of her devotion to the Sacred Heart stemming from her earliest years at Sacred Heart School. She stated: "He has always been and continues to be there with outstretched arms listening to me, waiting to assist me." Through very keen and wise blue eyes, she explained that she was now waiting to let go more completely into those waiting arms.
With deep gratitude in our own hearts for having shared life with her, we say: Thank you, Sr. Madeleine!

To celebrate her life, a wake service will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2015, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM at Our Lady Prompt Succor Nursing Home Chapel.

Following the wake service, the Mass of the Resurrection will be held at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home Chapel at 10:00 AM with burial in St. Landry Cemetery, Opelousas, LA.

In lieu of flowers, the Marianites of Holy Cross request that donations be made to the Marianite Retirement Fund at 1011 Gallier St., New Orleans, LA 70117.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.

Visitation

Prompt Succor Nursing Facility Chapel
954 E. Prudhomme Lane
Opelousas, LA  70570
Thursday, October 8, 2015
8am-10am

Service

Prompt Succor Nursing Facility Chapel
954 E. Prudhomme Lane
Opelousas, LA  70570
Thursday, October 8, 2015
10 am

Cemetery

St. Landry Cemetery
1020 North Main Street
Opelousas, LA  70570