MISSION Advancing the
SEVEN INSTITUTES OF THE INCARNATE WORD UNITE AS ONE ORDER
On July 2, 2023, a Eucharistic Celebration was held in Lyon, France to give thanks to God for the approval given by the Holy See for the reunification of seven institutes of the Incarnate Word. The Decree establishes the Sisters as the Order of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. The Order of the Incarnate Word, founded on July 2, 1625 by Venerable Jeanne Chézard de Matel, was violently suppressed during the French Revolution, causing the houses of the Order to disperse. Today, Corpus Christi, Victoria, Guadalajara, Mixcoac, Tlalpan, Teziutlán and Gómez Palacio come together to become one Order with a global presence in 12 countries.
All Incarnate Word Sisters understand their call includes bringing the presence of the Incarnate Word (Jesus Christ) to those who do not yet know or experience Him through their own effort to love and nurture full life in those they encounter.
Below is a question and answer provided by Sr. Annette Wagner, previously serving as Superior General of the Corpus Christi congregation.
1. What would change for our current congregation (since we are becoming one Order)?
Our canonical/legal status for the last 150+ years has been “congregation.” An Order has a much broader scope of possible relationships. For example, it can include both laity (women and men—Sisters and Brothers) and ordained (priests, etc.). For us in terms of our more personal view, our heart has moved us in this direction for several reasons.
a. We are moving from identifying ourselves in a more limited geographical focus to a global awareness of and effort for the Incarnate Word presence—presently in 12 countries.
b. We have always been in relationship with these other Incarnate Word congregations; now we will be “legally” free to interact in support of all in fulfilling our call together in a more intimate way.
c. We recognize that historical events have frustrated the original purpose of our Foundress, Venerable Jeanne Chézard de Matel. She initiated the founding of the Order in 1625. So, we see ourselves as completing or returning to our original status and this step as a reunification of the 17th century Order.
d. We are aware that as members of a global community, legal structures and practical arrangements will be a new reality. We are ready for this experience!
e. This move is definitely appropriate because part of our foundress’ original plan was for Incarnate Word priests— which is beginning to happen with the first steps for the present seminarians of the “Society of the Incarnate Word” in Mexico and Kenya. She also planned a special relationship with those living the other two vocations— married and single. Her original thought has blossomed into our Associates established in 1985.
2. During the Revolution, how did they separate and how did they arrive in the U.S. and expand?
Our website (iwbscc.org/Our Story/Our History) gives a very simple yet complete explanation. I will try to summarize.
a. After the original foundation, many other houses grew up in France.
b. During the French Revolution, a twisted type of rejection of all things Catholic Church eventually led to the Decree of 1790, the total legal dissolution of any religious establishment or structure. Our annals from this period indicate that sometimes violent invasion of convents and monasteries included physical attacks and even deaths of some of the members. I am sure you remember that in addition, priests and religious were even executed by the guillotine. Sisters who survived either went into individual exile so they could continue living their religious consecration or they returned to their homes.
c. In 1817, the first convent (or monastery as they were
called at that time) marked the Restoration of an Incarnate Word foundation. From that one foundation, other houses sprang up. I think that the story of this Restoration is as impressive as the original foundation.
d. In 1851, Bishop Odin, Bishop of Texas visited France and requested that IW Sisters join him in Texas to assist in evangelization. In 1853, four IW Sisters established the first IW foundation in Brownsville, TX—which we refer to as “the cradle of the Order in the New World.” They opened our first school within weeks of their arrival.
e. To Brownsville more Sisters arrived from France; from Brownsville, in response to requests from various bishops, Sisters were sent to other areas in Texas and dioceses in Mexico. Since at that time all religious women communities were cloistered, each new house/foundation became independent. However, in the spirit of our Foundress, leaderships consistently kept in communication to offer support—sometimes financially or with personnel; always in prayer.
3. Why were the Sisters not in France for this announcement?
Actually, they were. Two representatives from each of the seven congregations were present for this announcement. We were blessed that the rest could share in this historic event through technology, inviting all friends and partners in mission to join us in this witnessing.
4. Why are the other two congregations not joining?
Our process that brought us to this point has taken 20 years. During that time, much work was done to prepare documentation required by the Holy See to verify the credibility of our purpose and the practicality of our preparation. Interspersed with this legal work were opportunities (also required by the Holy See) to assure that all involved continued to recognize the will of God for them. Through that ongoing process, two of the nine congregations that had originally voiced interest discerned through prayer and shared reflection that God is calling them to another manner of living the Incarnate Word presence. Even though they will not be members of the Order, they are still part of the Incarnate Word family. We maintain the same warm and loving relationship with them as they follow the path the Incarnate Word is walking with them.
5. Explanation of the IWBS/OVISS?
Since we are now a global community, our reach is beyond one country, one language. Therefore, we have turned to the use of Latin in claiming our identity together: Ordo Verbi Incarnati et Sanctissimi Sacramenti. Thus the change to Latin initials: OVISS. Admittedly, it is a change that will take time to become familiar and—I hope—equally loved.
During this historic time of apparent change in the surface elements of religious life, our essential elements remain healthy and strong. We Incarnate Word Sisters look forward to a richer sense of community, living a vibrant unity with the diversity of our multiple cultures and languages; and a larger vineyard of the Lord in which to serve. Like Jesus the Incarnate Word Himself, we pledge our presence and service to feed the deepest hungers of humanity so that—in His words—”they may have life, and have it to the full.” (Jn. 10:10)
ANNUAL REPORT - 2022-2023
The Incarnate Word Academy Foundation was established in 1989 by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament to provide adequate funding for scholarships and educational development solely for Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, Texas. It serves as a stable ongoing way of assuring tuition assistance for years to come by providing an entity for receiving and managing the contributions of donors according to their intent. The IWA Foundation is committed to scholarships and tuition assistance grants, faculty professional growth, and quality Catholic education into the future. Inviting the school community, past parents, friends, and benefactors to partner with the Sisters through the Foundation in providing a quality education in a Catholic school environment has been a blessing to all concerned — the Sisters, the IWA family, and the larger community.
The 2022-2023 Incarnate Word Academy Foundation Report is presented by the Trustees of the Foundation to express appreciation to donors and to practice good stewardship of the resources entrusted to our care. This report is published separately to recognize the distinction between Incarnate Word Academy and the Incarnate Word Academy Foundation, a funding source separate from the annual financial management of the school.
We are grateful to those who have contributed to the Incarnate Word Academy Foundation through scholarships, memorials, and bequests. We ask God’s blessings on you and your families.
Trustees and Officers of the Incarnate Word Academy Foundation
Sister Annette Wagner ’64, President
Sister Barbara Netek ’65, Trustee
Sister Rosa Maria Ortiz, Trustee
Sister Anna Marie Espinosa ‘66, Trustee
Sister Theresa Nguyen, Trustee
Sister Irma Gonzalez, Finance Director
The Incarnate Word Academy Scholarship Program began in 1978. Scholarships are a powerful way to make a difference in the lives of others and help keep Incarnate Word Academy accessible to as many students as possible.
A permanent scholarship is established with a minimum of $10,000 as an endowed fund within the Incarnate Word Academy Foundation. The principal of the fund is invested and a portion of the earned interest is distributed to qualifying students, preserving the principal to generate future awards.
Scholarships enrich student life at Incarnate Word Academy and support the school in perpetuity, helping to build ongoing funds to sustain IWA in the years to come. Donors are encouraged to make additional contributions to current permanent scholarship funds in order to increase the fund and earnings amounts over time.
Names following the individual scholarships are the donors for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
Sister Dorothy Anhaiser Scholarship
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Sister Noreen Begley Scholarship
Aloysia Mae LeMaire ‘71
Jonelle LeMaire ‘62
Annette Deanne (Dee Dee) Berry Scholarship
Wilber Dean Berry Scholarship
Joe and Geraldine Kuntscher and Family Scholarship
Kuntscher 50th Celebrants Scholarship
James, Eloise, and Wilma Weisman Scholarship
Jim and Betty Nemec Petru Scholarship
Chris Riedel Scholarship
Scott and Josephine Temple Scholarship
Barry and Janell Petru Kimbal ‘64
Sister Michelle Marie Kuntscher, IWBS ‘60
Mr. Victor A. Kuntscher
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Mutchler
Mr. and Mrs. W. James Petru
Mr. and Mrs. Woody Riedel
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Terry and Judy Kuntscher Temple ‘64
Dolores Petru Vesely ‘56
Jimmy and Jeannine Kuntscher Weisman ‘59
Frederick and Elizabeth Petru Yaklin ‘61
Sarah Elizabeth Gough‑Bordenet Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Darrell J. Atkins
Mr. Robert P. Bordenet
Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Gough
The Bradley Sisters Scholarship
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
The Brehony Sisters Scholarship
Sister Maria Elizabeth Brehony, IWBS ‘52
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Galvan
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Connie and Luis Cadena Family Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Luis M. Cadena
The John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation
Incarnate Word Academy
Incarnate Word Academy Foundation
St. Jude Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Samuel L. Canterbury, III
Mrs. Clare P. Canterbury
Sister Denise Cassidy Scholarship
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Rev. Monsignor Mark Chamberlin Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Arlon Boatman
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Chamberlin
Mr. Stephen Chamberlin
Diane Chamberlin Deckard ‘65
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick L. Flanigan
Sister Elizabeth Close Scholarship Fund
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Sister William Francis Garcia Scholarship
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Robert M. “Bob” and Neva Lee Knight Gough ‘44 Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Darrell J. Atkins
Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Gough
Reverend William Gough Scholarship
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Mother M. Patricia Gunning Scholarship
Aloysia Mae LeMaire ‘71
Bonnie O. and John R. Haas Scholarship
Mr. Arthur B. Haas
Richard J. Hatch, Sr. Scholarship
Ms. Elizabeth Padon
Mr. and Mrs. David Webster
Sister Camelia Herlihy Scholarship
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Sister Xavier Holworthy Scholarship
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Keri ‘95, Kacy ‘89, and Rus ‘93 Richards Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus F. Richards, III
Catherine “Tad” ‘32 and Buck Kelly Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. William B. Boyd, Jr.
Dorothy Hetherington Diaz ‘62
Raymond and Margaret Mary Kelly Dreyer ‘62
Chell and Damian Golla, CCCA ‘50
Mrs. June Kelly
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Mitchell
Mary Jo ’62 and Tony Norrell, CCA ‘59
Diane Peck Peters ‘58
Ms. Muriel Place
Mr. and Mrs. George Pollakis
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Marjorie A. Shearer Whelan ‘55
Amy Laudadio ‘89 Scholarship
Daphne and Paul D. Laudadio ‘65
Luis R. Lopez Scholarship
Linda Lopez-George ‘78
Jovita Lopez Smith ‘76
Lourdes Lopez Storey ‘77
McComb Family Memorial Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Schultz
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Carl Elter and Maxwell & Patricia Brown Meyers’51 Scholarship
Patricia Brown Meyers ‘51
Kenneth D. and Elizabeth Morgan Scholarship
Dorothy Hetherington Diaz ‘62
Raymond and Margaret Mary Kelly Dreyer ‘62
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Mitchell
Diane Peck Peters ‘58
Susan Upshaw Thomas, Louise Upshaw-McClenny and Evelyn Upshaw
Mark Muckleroy Scholarship
George Anne Hubert Muckleroy ‘55
Patty and Joe Mueller Scholarship
Mrs. Patty P. Mueller
Agnes E. and Patrick W. Nicholas Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Bret N. Morgan
Richard and Mary Nicholas Morgan ‘70
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Sister Martha O’Gara ‘51 Scholarship
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
V. J. and Mary Lou Pesek Scholarship
Donald and Cecile Hendricks Pesek ‘76
Patrick “Pat” Rivers ‘55, CCCA Scholarship
Joe and Mary Catherine Rivers Pennington ‘50
Sister Mary Anne Roddy ‘36 Scholarship
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Crit and Margaret Anderson Sciantarelli ‘37 Scholarship
Cynthia Sciantarelli Renfro ‘74
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Schultz
Gerald Robert and Willie Mae Shirley Scholarship
R. C. and Helen Ford Allen ‘62
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Benesh
Dr. Gerard W. Boynton
Mr. Stephen Chamberlin
Margaret Whitworth Cunningham ‘74
Dorothy Hetherington Diaz ‘62
Rev. Donald D. Downey, J. C. L.
Raymond and Margaret Mary Kelly Dreyer ‘62
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hall
Mr. and Mrs. Joe W. Hazlewood
Mrs. Lucille Prado Lira ‘57
Charles and Elizabeth Whitworth Menard ‘57
Charles Mireur, CCCA ‘66
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Mollema
Mr. and Mrs. Gerry C. Morrow
Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Shirley, PA ‘59
Donald and Susan Milloy Taft ‘62
Mr. and Mrs. Casper Wenzel
Incarnate Word Sisters Scholarship
Diane Peck Peters ‘58
Rev. Monsignor Roger R. Smith Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Bonilla
Raymond and Margaret Mary Kelly Dreyer ‘62
Ms. Nancy Fairchild
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick L. Flanigan
Mr. Arthur B. Haas
Aloysia Mae LeMaire ‘71
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Muzyczyn
Louise Cline O’Callahan ‘58
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Rimar
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund J. Rotter
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Schultz
Rev. Monsignor Roger R. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Casper Wenzel
