Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary return to Riverview 40 years later

The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM) are establishing a new home at Riverview Place, a retirement community, in Fargo. They once called Riverview home from 1960 to 1981 before relocating to the building on 32nd Street South, Fargo and establishing a retreat ministry there. Within the last few months, most of the sisters moved to Riverview and some elsewhere in Fargo.

“This time we’re not moving as a community,” said Sister Paula Ringuette. “We’re kind of spread out now, without easy access to each other. It’s a new experience, but Riverview is making it easy for us. People are so welcoming and friendly. We couldn’t ask for more.”

When the convent on 32nd Street was built, there were 40 sisters living there. There are now 19, which meant many empty rooms and more space than they needed.

“We are mission led,” said Sister Paula. “There are many times in our history when we’ve moved from the familiar to the new. Religious life is always a time of change, so it’s not strange we would find ourselves in a position like this again. Through all the changes—even the ones that are hard—we can find joy in them.”

The PBVM sisters moved from Ireland to Fargo in the early 1880s when they opened a school and established a religious order. The sisters also built many health care facilities in rural North Dakota including in Carrington, Grafton, Langdon, Park River, and New Rockford (closed), which are now community-run operations. Their mission grew to include retreats, social work, and housing.

Without the retreat space, Sister Paula said it will take time to reestablish the focus of their mission moving forward.

“Since we aren’t living in the same place, we don’t have the easy access to the community that we had before. We’ll miss that very much. It was a place where many people found peace. Now we just need to find a new way of sharing our lives with others, inside and outside of Riverview.”

While the transition is difficult, the sisters in Fargo move with hope for what the future holds.

“The marvel of it is that nothing happens that doesn’t have some connection to where God is leading us. We have a wonderful place here, and there are great possibilities that could happen here.”

“We’re so pleased to welcome these Sisters to Riverview,” said Executive Director of Riverview, Kari Dew. “Every resident deserves the very best care we can possibly provide. I have to admit there’s a special place in our hearts though for religious women who have dedicated their lives to following God’s calling in order to serve others. We’re honored they have become part of our Riverview community again.”