NEWS :: Red Cloud Indian School

Parish News: Sr. Jean Marie Tognotti, OSB
by Shannon Grooms, Our Lady of the Sioux Church
posted on July 19, 2010

Sacred Heart Parish, Pine Ridge, South Dakota lost friend and long time youth minister; Sr Jean Marie Tognotti, OSB who passed away on Saturday, May 22nd, 2010.

Sister Jean Marie was the second of four children born June 19, 1957 in Rapid City, South Dakota to parents Raymond and Mary (Pourier) Tognotti.

She graduated from St. Martin’s High School, Rapid City, SD. She joined the Benedictine Sisters in 1980 making her first profession and her perpetual profession in 1985. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministry in 1983. In 2005, she went on to receive her Master’s in pastoral ministry from Boston College.

In her formation years she was sent to Jacksonville, Texas to work in the Spanish Community there. Sister Jean Marie served as a youth minister at St. Isaac Jogues and Blessed Sacrament parishes in Rapid City, SD, St. Catherine of Siena parish, Laguna Beach, CA, and Sacred Heart Parish, Pine Ridge, SD.

In her spare time, Sr. Jean Marie enjoyed reading, writing poetry, and listening to music. According to friend and fellow Sister, Sr. Edna Marie Stephenson; “She loved anything interesting. She loved being outside, in the midst of nature, and when she was able; hiking in the mountains.” Sr. Edna went on to say, “I first met Sister when I came to visit St. Martins in the summer of 1994. She was given the task of entertaining me. First she took me for ice cream and then to my first Pow Wow. We hit it off instantly and our friendship blossomed from there. She was more than just a friend to me. We became sisters in every sense of the word. I love her and miss her.”

If you are interested in learning more about Sacred Heart Parish, call 605-867-5551.

Shannon Grooms is a member of Our Lady of the Sioux Church. She taught Religion at Red Cloud Elementary School for four years until the birth of their oldest daughter. Shannon, her husband, and her two daughters live on a ranch nine miles north of Oglala, SD.

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