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Bismarck proclaims Dec. 10, 2025 as Sister Kathleen Atkinson Day, honors ministry leader
Summary
Mayor Michael Schmitz presented a surprise certificate and proclamation recognizing Sister Kathleen Atkinson’s leadership of Ministry on the Margins; Sister Kathleen thanked the community and said she will retire at year end.
The Bismarck Board of City Commissioners recognized Sister Kathleen Atkinson on Nov. 25 with a certificate of achievement and a mayoral proclamation naming Dec. 10, 2025 as Sister Kathleen Atkinson Day.
Mayor Michael Schmitz described Sister Kathleen’s work with Ministry on the Margins, which grew a coffee‑house pilot in January 2022 from about 10 people a night to an evening program that now averages about 62 guests, and expanded a food pantry that reported distributing more than 25,000 pounds of food in the most recent October to nearly 1,792 households and 4,846 individuals. "We're recognizing you for your extraordinary leadership and unwavering compassion through your work with Ministry on the Margins," the mayor said.
Sister Kathleen (identified in the proclamation as Sister Kathleen Atkinson of the Annunciation Monastery) thanked commissioners and described Bismarck as home, reflecting on her work with people experiencing housing instability and the volunteers and community partners who supported the ministry. She announced she will retire at the end of the year and expressed confidence in the ministry’s future.
The commission presented the proclamation, asked for a photo, and moved on to the regular agenda.
