Sister Cecilia Bushnell, DLJC: 1950-2024

Prayer Town Emmanuel—Sister Cecilia Bushnell of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ passed away Nov. 21. She was 74 years old.
 
Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am, Tuesday, Nov. 26, Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Father Mieczyslaw “Mitch” Przepiora, pastor, Immaculate Conception Church, Vega, presiding, with Father Anthony C. Neusch, rector, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Amarillo, concelebrating. Interment was in Prayer Town Cemetery.
 
Born Barbara Gene Bushnell on July 22, 1950 in Santa Fe, Sister Cecilia was the daughter of Tom Gene and Lucy Bushnell. She graduated from Santa Fe High School and went on to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. After graduation, Sister Cecilia spent two years as an apprentice with the Sacred Dance Group. She also continued her education by obtaining her Long Distance Catholic University Advanced Catechist certification and Our Lady of Divine Providence School of Spiritual Direction certification.
 
In the fall of 1968, Sister Cecilia pledged to the Chi Delta Chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII) at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She served as the corresponding secretary from 1970 to 1971. From 1973 to 1876, Sister Cecilia worked as a teacher. In 1977, she served fulltime on the International Ministry with the Sacred Dance Group until 1985, evangelizing through scripture, visual and dance. Sister Cecilia ministered around the world, including the United States, Great Britain and Australia.
 
In 1985 Sister Cecilia was received into the Catholic Church and on Oct. 1, 1985, she entered the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. On Nov. 10, 1987, Sister Cecilia made her first vows and on Nov. 9, 1991, she made her perpetual profession of vows.
 
As a member of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, Sister Cecilia served as:
• Director of Novices;
• Director of Formation;
• Two terms as the Vicar General;
• Mission Advancement Assistant; and,
• Head for the production of Banners for Liturgical uses.
 
Sister Cecilia participated in numerous evangelistic ministries including:
• Women’s retreats;
• Pre-Confirmation Retreats;
• ACTS retreats;
• Kairos Retreat Ministry and Retreat Master for other retreats;
• Caravan of Jesus’ Joy;
• Music Ministry;
• Spiritual Direction;
• Ministry of Letter Writing with personally made cards; and,
• Ministry of Intercession.

Sister Cecilia also took part in a Mission trip to China. According to her Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ community, her hobbies included calligraphy, making beautiful homemade cards, training dogs and she was an avid hiker of mountains and other trails. The community said Sister Cecilia was loved by all she encountered and embraced all as family.  
 
Sister Cecilia was preceded in death by her parents; and a half-brother, Richard King Miller.
 
Survivors include six cousins, Barbara Bushnell Gay, Laura Gay Clark, Florence Gay Clark, Elizabeth Bushnell Gay, Dennis Bushnell, and Susan Bushnell Schopowitz; a stepsister, Ann Brooks; and her large extended King family on her mother’s side.