Fran was an RNDM, a sister, an aunt, a mentor, and friend to so many. Underneath all these relationships, which she so valued and nurtured, there was a fierce tenderness towards the other. She had a big smile, a big hug, and a big heart! Friendship seemed to be the basis for all her ways of loving.

Frances Mary Theresa Bonokoski died at Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home in Regina, Saskatchewan (SK) on December 31, 2020 at the age of 93 years.

Early Life

Frances was born in Marienthal (Mary’s Valley) SK, in 1927, the tenth child of Anton Bonokoski, originally from Russia, and Zita Schnell, originally from Romania. In all there were fifteen children in the Bonokoski family and throughout her life Frances enjoyed rich and loving relationships with her siblings as well as with a number of nieces and nephews.

Joining the RNDMs

She joined the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions as a postulant in 1946 at Sacred Heart College in Regina and made her first profession of vows there in 1949. Final vows followed in 1955. Fran had a passionate love for God, for the spiritual journey, and for the life of service which that love engendered. The life of contemplation, communion, and mission grew in her, shaped her, calling her outward and onward for 71 years as an RNDM.

Visits to Peru

Frances was predeceased by her sister, Loretta Bonokoski Schnell, also a member of the congregation. Loretta served in Peru from 1968 until her death. On two occasions (1981 and 1994), Fran was able to enjoy extended visits with Loretta and the other RNDMs in Peru.

Teaching Ministry

Fran originally trained as a teacher, and served first at St. Joseph’s in Saskatoon from 1950-51, and later she took her BA in Mathematics and Science at the University of Saskatoon in 1961.

Her teaching ministry spanned both high school and grade school levels. Fran taught in Regina at the RNDM schools of Sacred Heart Academy (1951-53, 1961-64) and Sacred Heart College (1955-60) as well as at the elementary school in Lebret, SK (1953-1955).

Leadership Roles

She served the RNDM community in a number of leadership roles. She was novice mistress (1964-69) and a trusted member of formation communities in both Ottawa (1985-87) and Winnipeg (1994-99). Other positions included local superior, provincial councilor, and elected delegate to two congregation chapters (1969, 1972).

The Special General Chapter of 1969

The Special General Chapter of 1969 was an extraordinary chapter required of all religious orders by the Vatican. Religious congregations were mandated to return to their sources, re-examine their life and mission, and re-write their constitutions in light of the crucial changes happening in the church and world, as reflected in the documents of Vatican II (1962-1965).

Embracing the Spirit of Change

For RNDMs this “special” chapter focused on rewriting the Constitutions, which were eventually approved on Dec. 8, 1969. The decade as a whole became a watershed moment in the life of the community as the winds of change forged ahead. We modified outer symbols such as the habit and veil, and reassessing ministry priorities. Frances embraced this spirit of change alive in the church and in religious life with openness, courage, and excitement.

Marriage Tribunals and New Beginnings

As well Fran gave her hand and heart to other ministerial works throughout her RNDM life. She had a special love for her ministry as auditor in the Marriage Tribunals in both Regina and Ottawa, and also in facilitating New Beginnings – retreats for widowed, separated, or divorced people.

The Gift of Aging and Volunteer Service

Having taken a gerontology program at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana in the early 90s, Fran explored the gift of aging, both personally and with others in the community. She served at a soup kitchen and was a volunteer reader at the Canadian Institute for the Blind (CNIB).

A Life Long Love of Learning

Fran’s service was grounded in her love of learning and sharing that learning through a teacher’s heart. It can easily be said that Fran was a life-long learner! Whether it was trying her hand at the flute or cello, exploring a new relationship, enjoying a new recipe (she loved good food!), or deepening her self-knowledge through spiritual direction, enneagram or spiritual reading, she knew that to learn was to change, and to change was to grow.

Empathetic and Compassionate Connections 

Fran easily entered the heart of so many friends: if something or someone broke your heart, she empathized; if your body ached, she commiserated; if the moment evoked hilarity she had a big laugh; if you needed forgiveness, she forgave, and she could ask for forgiveness too.

Fran was no stranger to struggle—physical, emotional or spiritual. She had a way of connecting with people so they knew they were not alone in their sufferings. It is said that such attunement is the real language of love. And Fran had this capacity to tune into people’s emotional terrain in a way that let them feel understood, accepted and mirrored. She greatly valued friendship in its many expressions.

Fran’s Reflection

In reflecting on a favorite scripture quote from the Book of Lamentations (3: 21-23), Frances writes:

I believe that God is creating something new in me now—moment by moment—and sometimes, in the mystery of it all, waves of fear, emptiness, uselessness, regret and guilt wash over me. In those moments, I cling tenaciously to my ever faithful God whose “favours are not all past,” and whose “kindnesses are not exhausted.” And somehow, again in the mystery of it all, the “morning” dawns through a smile, a friend, a touch, a memory and my hope is renewed. Life is precious. Alleluia!

Frances embodied these words in her earthly life, and now leaves them for us as memory, hope and instruction: the favours of God are not all past. God’s kindnesses are not exhausted; every morning they are renewed: great is God’s faithfulness! Yes, her life was precious amongst us. And with her, who is now in the Fullness of Love, we too sing Alleluia with much gratitude!