Bishop administers sacraments to care center resident

Tenants of Sanford Health Marillac Manor were treated to a unique opportunity during Bishop Kagan’s annual visit. Dean Bear King, a resident of the adjacent St. Vincent’s Continuing Care Center, received the sacraments of First Holy Communion and confirmation on March 19.

A little more than a year ago, a visitor began appearing at the back of the Marillac Chapel each Sunday. Because many of the Marillac tenants have ties directly to St. Vincent’s, they immediately knew Dean. Soon, the tenants in Marillac Manor would greet the visiting priest and then greet Dean, as they would exit the chapel.

Sister Anna Rose Ruhland, who runs the pastoral care department of both St. Vincent’s and Marillac Manor, also noticed the visitor. When she spoke to Dean, he stated that he had been baptized Catholic, but had never received any of the other sacraments. Through some coordination with Bishop Kagan, Sister Anna Rose seized the opportunity on March 19 to bring Dean fully into the church with the Bishop administering the sacraments. As part of confirmation, each candidate is required to choose the name of a saint. Dean quickly chose the name Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native America canonized a Catholic Saint.
After the ceremony, the tenants of Marillac Manor were treated to a breakfast held in the honor of the Bishop’s visit. While breakfast was being served, tenants were tested on their knowledge of St. Louise de Marillac, the sponsoring saint for which the manor is named.

Editor’s note: After submission of this article, Dean Bear King received one final sacrament, anointing of the sick, from Fr. Robert Shea, associate pastor of St.Mary’s Parish in Bismarck. Dean passed away on April 12, Divine Mercy Sunday, at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.