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Sister Margaret Therese
Hebert, OP

Sister Margaret Therese's Services

Private burial at Roselawn Cemetery, Friday, October 9. A memorial mass will be held at Sacred Heart Convent at a later date.

In lieu of flowers or visits, donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704.The Dominican Sisters and family of Sister Margaret Therese are served by Butler Funeral Homes.

Springfield Dominican Sister Margaret Therese Hebert, OP, died October 6, 2020, at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield, Ill. She was born in Pana, Ill., in 1952, to Noel and Mary Louis (Fullerton) Hebert, and baptized Margaret Louise at St. Patrick Church, Pana.

She joined the Dominicans in 1973 and professed her vows in 1976 at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield.

Primary school teaching, pastoral ministry, spiritual direction, and the craft of woodworking were, each in turn, central to her life. Early in her religious life she taught primary grades at Catholic schools in Springfield, Hampshire, Chicago, Aurora, Philo, and Rantoul, Ill. After completing studies in spirituality and spiritual direction, she ministered as a spiritual director at Benincasa Dominican Renewal Center, Riverton, Ill., then became pastoral associate for a cluster of parishes in Auburn, Divernon, and Waverly, Ill. From 2000-2007 she was pastoral associate and then parish director for three rural parishes in the diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin: Holy Family-St. William, Wittenberg; St. Anthony, Tigerton; and St. Mary, Marion.

From 2011-2016 she assisted her Dominican Sisters at Sacred Heart Convent and cared for her parents. In 2017 she furthered her ministry as woodworker at the Creative Arts Center, Jubilee Farm, New Berlin, Ill. She remained active as a spiritual director and was pleased to serve as a sponsor for several Springfield Dominican associates.

Sister Margaret Therese was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Therese Hebert. She is survived by her brothers Philip (Mary Jo), Mark, Paul, John (Patsy) and Joseph (Marci) Hebert, many loving nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

25 thoughts on “Sister Margaret Therese<br> Hebert, OP”

  1. Dear Dominican Sisters,

    I share your sorrow as I see a friend and fellow spiritual director leave us by way of bodily death and onto the blessed “next” in God. Sister Margaret Therese Hebert, OP was a faithful member of our group, the Spiritual Directors of Central Illinois, who shared in making presentations and always offering her thoughts. Her deep sense of knowing was matched by her somewhat mischievous smile and spirit that revealed a truly joyful soul. Thank you for all your love that you gave her in her living, serving, growing and ultimately, her letting it all go. Peace and all good to you this day.

    Dan Frachey

    1. Sister Elizabeth Murphy
      Sister Beth Murphy, OP

      Dan, thank you so much for your kind words. Your support meant a lot to Sister Margaret Therese, and to us.

    2. Dan,

      You captured her essence perfectly! Deep knowing – yes. Mischievous smile – yes ;). Joyful spirit – absolutely yes.

  2. I have not known Sr. Margaret Therese long but enjoyed her out at Jubilee Farm as she began teaching me woodworking.
    My condolences to her natural sibling as well as you, her religious Sisters. May God bless you all!

    LIsa Palazzolo

  3. I have known Sister Margaret Therese practically my whole life. She taught me to print and color in the lines really well. I was sooooo mad she moved before I got to first grade, because I wanted her as my first grade teacher. She was a part of my family during her time in Hampshire and for the rest of her life. She was my confirmation sponsor, read the first reading at my wedding, attended my graduations. She was the single biggest spiritual influence in my life. For years, I put down I wanted to be a nun when I grew up because of her. I didn’t, but her impact on me remains. I am heartbroken that I can’t properly say goodbye. I wanted to sing her funeral mass as a gift to her. I love her so much, and know her place in heaven is waiting.

    1. Sister Elizabeth Murphy
      Sister Beth Murphy, OP

      Julie, what precious memories of your friend! At some point when we are able to do so, we’ll have a memorial mass for the many people who were touched by Sister Margaret Therese’s life. We’ll keep you informed! If you’d like to stay in touch with us, please use this link to subscribe to our newsletter: https://springfieldop.org/newsletter-sign-up/. Then you won’t miss any of our news.

  4. Sr Margaret Therese was a really special teacher to my children at St Charles Borromeo School in Hampshire. We have so many fond memories of her. One year she built a beaver dam in the classroom! Im sure she will be truly missed. My condolences to her family and Sisters.

  5. Margaret Lindsay

    I had the pleasure of meeting Sister Margaret Therese back in 1973 when we became postulants at Sacred Heart Convent. The years that we were in formation together were blessed with stories of her life on the farm and wonderful family. Sister was always close to God and now she can rest in His loving presence.

  6. Margaret Lindsay

    I had the pleasure of meeting Sister Margaret Therese back in 1973, when we became postulants at Sacred Heart Convent. There were so many times that she shared stories of her life on the farm and of her wonderful family. I still can remember having wonderful conversations with her dear parents on visiting Sundays. Sister was always close to God and now she can rest in His presence, for she is home.

  7. I had the pleasure of being her student in 1st/2nd grades in Hampshire. Sr. Margaret Therese was phenomenal in every way. As an educator, she always made learning an adventure and brought the world into the classroom on a regular basis. Much of my own teaching career was modeled after the experiences she provided me at St. Charles Borromeo. I enjoyed staying in contact with her over the years. My prayers continue for her family and friends ~ knowing that she is rejoicing in Glory with her Savior.

    1. Sister Elizabeth Murphy
      Sister Beth Murphy, OP

      Thanks for sharing that Kendra. How wonderful to hear the impact Sister Margaret Therese had on your life!

  8. Sister Margaret Therese was one of the most powerful ways I encountered God. Speaking to her in spiritual direction often felt like hearing God speak directly to me. I am the woman I am today and possess the spirituality I have today because of her patient, tender, wise, and loving influence. There are many things I have learned from her that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I have cherished our sessions together, and over the course of four years, am grateful to say that she has become a dear friend as well as spiritual director. I mourn the gift of who she was that I won’t get to encounter on this earth anymore. I mourn that I will not get to talk to her again or attend spiritual direction. I AM elated to have a saint in heaven that I know will pray hard for me, and perhaps pester the big man on my behalf with my intentions. Sister, you know what I’m asking for! 😉 I love her very much.

  9. Sister Margaret Therese was one of the most powerful ways I encountered God. Speaking to her in spiritual direction often felt like hearing God speak directly to me. I am the woman I am today and possess the spirituality I have today because of her patient, tender, wise, and loving influence. There are many things I have learned from her that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

  10. I have cherished our sessions together, and over the course of four years, am grateful to say that she has become a dear friend as well as spiritual director. I mourn the gift of who she was that I won’t get to encounter on this earth anymore. I mourn that I will not get to talk to her again or attend spiritual direction. I AM elated to have a saint in heaven that I know will pray hard for me, and perhaps pester the big man on my behalf with my intentions. Sister, you know what I’m asking for! 😉 I love her very much.

  11. Bill & Peg Freeman

    We are blessed to have known Sister Margaret Therese as a dear friend for 40 years. Our farm backgrounds and love of nature started a journey at SCB Hampshire that I really can’t hardly list all the fun experiences we shared. Not only was she an inspiring teacher, but in every other ministry she served, she gave her whole heart always wanting to bring others to Christ. What a talented woman of faith she was! She amazed us as she continued to live life with all the pain she endured and said, even in her last 6 months of life here, how much she still wanted to be able to serve her community of Sisters, never giving up. How joyful we are for her that she now lives in the peace and love of Our Lord with her parents and sister, Therese. Our deepest condolences to each of the Sisters who loved her so dearly and our gratitude for the love you have shown her. We too, will miss her alot and are deeply grateful for her love and our spiritual walk together.

  12. Sister’s younger sister, Therese, was my friend from first grade until her passing. I had several occasions to interact with Sister Margaret. She was a sweet and kind soul. I hope she is enjoying the heavenly reunion with her parents and Therese.

  13. I would like to share my memories of this wonderful lady. She helped shepherd our Church while we were awaiting a replacement Padre. She was instrumental in guiding me to an annulment to be back in full Communion with the Church, and I enjoyed her wisdom, pastoral care, and humor while she was at St. Benedict’s in Auburn. She was a blessing to me, and may her friends and family know that many of us were sad to see her go when her assignment was over at St. Benedict’s.
    Thank you for being part of our spiritual life.
    Vince

  14. Jayne and Jim Radtke

    We were blessed to have Sister Margaret Therese and Sister Mary Gael as our cherished friends. When they were assigned to our parishes in Wisconsin, we found them a home for their Convent. It was surrounded by horses, cows and farm fields. The nearest neighbors were very quiet, as it was a home across from a cemetery. SMT was strong willed and a gentle spirit. She helped our parishes through some trying times, and was the greatest Spiritual Director to us. She always had great knowledge to share. Her love of the Holy Spirit was exceptional! Jim and I had the pleasure of visiting SMT and SMG a few times in Springfield. She always had a project for Jim to help her with. He is tall and strong, and NO was not an answer to her requests. Even as she became weaker, together they accomplished her goals, both at her family farm and at Jubilee Farm. Both were cherished places to her. We had a chance to talk to her just a few days before her passing. She called to tell us she loved us, and would be going to Jesus soon. We shared our love with her also. We will truly miss our dear sister, Sister Margaret Therese. Our prayers are with Sister Mary Gael, and all our dear Dominican Sister friends.

  15. Sister Kathy Benham, IHM

    I met Sister Margaret Therese in a class at Creighton University the summer of 1990.
    We have shared a friendship since that very first class. Yesterday I took a long walk near
    a running stream remembering her and praying the rosary that she had gifted me with
    on a trip to St. Walburga’s in Colorado. I didn’t see any deer on this particular day, however, whenever I do see a deer I can’t help but think of Margaret Therese.
    I am so deeply grateful for the gift of friendship that I have shared with Margaret Therese over these 30 years. We could share so many things about prayer, religious life, spiritual direction and just life in general. I will certainly miss our chats. (I already do!) She knew me well and could give me the perspective and honest feedback that I needed. I am also deeply grateful that Margaret Therese is at peace with God where there is no more pain or suffering. Special prayers for her dearest friend, Sister Mary Gael. Peace! Sister Kathy Benham, IHM

  16. I was blessed to have Sr. Margaret Therese as a friend, mentor, and for a while spiritual director. I first met her in Koinonia, and she was the person I talked with first when I ventured enough to “consider” religious life. Though the Dominican charism was not my calling, she continued to be supportive, interested, and encouraging.
    Later, she accepted the challenge of being my spiritual director and as before, her spirituality fed my spirit and encouraged me to persevere in it. In more recent years, we didn’t connect often, but she was always most gracious when I’d call to stop by and visit a bit. MT holds a special place in my heart, and I will remember her fondly for the gift that she was for me. I know that she rests in God’s presence now. Well done, good and faithful servant!
    My prayers are with each of you as you celebrate her life and mourn her death.
    Peace and All Good,
    Sr. Anna Flanigan, O.S.F.

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