Sister Bernice is one of eight children. She grew up in a loving and devout Indian Catholic family, and became a nurse/midwife. "In 1968, the sudden death of my cousin who drowned while saving his friend, changed my life," she recalls. "This started my search and missionary adventure with God and in God." She joined the Medical Mission Sisters in 1970, at the age of 28.

"I enjoyed the freeing experience of religious life and of mission," she says. "Living out my commitment was a journey with God and so many others ... I felt a great sense of joy and belonging to the larger family of Medical Mission Sisters spread out across the globe."

Sister Bernice spent nine-and-a-half years in mission in the Philippines -- at Holy Family Hospital, Bongao, and in Kabasalan, in the southern islands. "I consider these the best years of my life in terms of my own growth and formation, as well as my ministry which took me into the homes and lives of people - Christian, Muslim, young, old, friend, and foe," she explains.

Moving on to positions as formation coordinator and district coordinator, Sister Bernice "experienced leadership as a call to loving service." She currently serves as the Sector Coordinator in Asia. "My vision for leadership calls me to follow Jesus in and through the 'servanthood' model," she shares. "He exemplified kindness, service, humility, compassion, and love for others to a degree beyond imagination."