July 27, 2024
Sister Lucille Kern, ASC, of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, died peacefully at 2:09 p.m. on July 24, 2024, at Dammert Skilled Care, Belleville, IL. She was 94 years old and had been professed for 77 years. Born on July 5, 1930, and baptized Elizabeth, she was the last of eight children born to the late Christian and Ellen (Kelly) Kern of Red Bud, IL. Two of her sisters were also members of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Srs. Wilfreda Kern and Teresita Kern.
Sister Lucille received her Certification from the Institute of Child Care at St. Louis University in 1963. She received additional certification through the University of Illinois in Monticello, IL, in 1967. She was also certified in Clinical/Pastoral Care and Hospice Care from Heartland Hospice in Fairview Heights, IL. She attended courses in psychology and childcare at St. Louis University. She continued to stay up to date with developments in her ministry by attending conferences, workshops, and networking.
Sister Lucille’s ministry in Child Care at Catholic Children’s Home in Alton, IL, included serving more than 20 years as Houseparent, then as Assistant Administrator. Other positions of leadership were Assistant Administrator of DeMattias Hall, the ASC House of Studies on the campus of St. Louis University, and Administrator and Religious Leader of the Ruma Center.
Her ministry in the Dietary Division of several large institutions included service at St. Vincent (now Taylorville) Memorial Hospital in Taylorville, IL, King’s House Retreat Center in Belleville, IL, and Our Lady House of Studies on the campus of St. Louis University. She also ministered in convents at St. Cecilia in Bartelso and St. Libory in St. Libory, both in Illinois.
Following a brief sabbatical in 1990, Sr. Lucille began Pastoral Care Ministry, where she served for almost 20 years. Her places of service included O’Fallon Healthcare in O’Fallon, IL, and Heartland Hospice in Fairview Heights, IL. She then continued her Pastoral Care ministry at the Ruma Center for several years.
Sister Lucille would be the first to admit that her life has had its challenges. She felt confident, however, that with the help of prayer, community, a good mind and a healthy body, she could meet those opportunities.
She recognized that the changes of Vatican II have “placed a greater responsibility on me as a person” and that “I have grown spiritually with the renewed changes in the liturgies.” These changes have actually “helped me to be more flexible and willing to try new things.”
As a member of her local community, Sr. Lucille knew how to laugh, to pray, to play, and to enjoy that special cup of coffee with a friend. As genuine as the smile that lit up her face was her greeting “So good to see you!”
Sister Lucille is survived by nieces, nephews, several great nieces and great nephews, cousins, and members of the ASC community.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sisters: James who died three days after his birth, Leo and Edna (Braun) Kern, Helen (Clement) Schlotmann, Joseph and Cora (Boyd) Kern, Simon and Mary Ellen (Vogt) Kern, Sr. Wilfreda Kern, and Sr. Teresita Kern.
Visitation with the cremains will begin at 12:00 p.m. in the chapel of Benedictine Living Community in Belleville, IL, on Friday, August 2, 2024. The Mass of the Resurrection will begin at 1:30 in the chapel. The funeral procession to the Ruma Convent Cemetery for burial will begin immediately after Mass.
Adorers of the Blood of Christ
United States Region