PEOPLE
14
of
GOD
AUGUST 2016
JUBILEES
Sr. Bernice Garcia, OP
I have been blessed to have had the opportunity of being part of my Garcia family, my Mom and Dad five brothers and one sister. I am further blessed to be part of my Dominican family of sisters who have made my life so fulfilling. All of this brought me to the opportunity to serve so many people in so many different ways with wonderful results. My Dominican vocation brought me first to teaching and being principal in Michigan Catholic Schools ranging in size from nine sister teachers to only two sisters, in interesting places as Beaver Island in the middle of Lake Michigan to schools in large cities. Then I came to New Mexico. Again I was teacher and principal in places like Peñasco, Santa Cruz, Albuquerque, and Belen. I was also privileged to serve as Assistant Superintendent for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Then my life changed. I went from serving in schools to serving in parishes. The beautiful blessing of serving in parishes is the needs one serves is bigger and more diverse, and so there is a need to be creative as one responds to the people you are asked to serve. I was fortunate to begin at Risen Savior, and from there I went to San Jose Parish. There, the needs were different and therefore came the need to develop programs in Spanish, The last parish I served was St. Francis Xavier, which had been my home parish where I grew up and went to school. It was both a privilege and a challenge to serve as the parish life coordinator, responsible for the spiritual needs of my parishioners. Here again I was blessed to have retired priests willing to assist with daily Mass and two Masses on Sundays. Finances were also a challenge, but again we were blessed with a school building, in need of some repairs, and willing parishioners who were willing
Sr. Nancy Kazik, OSF
Prior to my first day in high school at St. Mary’s Academy in Milwaukee WI, I had never met a Sister of St. Francis of Assisi. I quickly learned they were women who cared, who listened, who were wonderful role models, who challenged and had great expectations of their students. As I celebrate my diamond jubilee as a Sister of St. Francis of Assisi, I am full of gratitude for the many gifts that have been given to me. My family who selected the Academy, the women who challenged me, friends and family who supported me when I could no longer resist the call, and finally said YES. I entered the congregation with the blessing of my family, but as I look back there were times of tears for my mother and dad. I have no brothers or sisters, so my Dad said painfully, “I will never be a grandfather”. On the day of my first profession, that all changed when he asked, “are you happy?” My YES, was all he needed to hear! The years have been full of challenges, surprises, frustrations, opportunities, changes and blessings. It has been an exciting life! I could never have imagined my life as I have lived it and experienced it when I made my first profession of vows 60 years ago. I am grateful for the call and the opportunity to be of service as teacher, principal, and to serve in archdiocesan ministry, first as Director of Religious Education, later in multiple roles, and in congregational leadership. I have ministered in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and California, as midschool teacher and principal, in congregational leadership in Wisconsin, and as a Religious Educator in Colorado. Here in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe I have ministered as Director of Pastoral Ministries, Editor of the People of God, and Vicar for Religious, Vice-Chancellor and Case Manager. This is indeed a time of thanksgiving for many blessings, first the call from a generous God, and the many opportunities given me to share the Gospel message and Franciscan values. Times have changed, yet I look to the past with smiles and a great “Amen!” for what has been, and continues Continued on page 18 to be open to the surprises of the future.
Sr. Dolorita Martinez, OP
I believe God continues to extend an invitation to young women and men to follow Him by embracing a call to serve the church as a sister, a brother or a priest. I want to share my story as a Grand Rapids Dominican Sister as a means of encouraging our youth and young adults to listen and respond to God’s invitation. Maria Elvira Martinez, was my baptismal name. I was born in a small mountain village, here in New Mexico, named Truchas. I was born into a loving family, and can now look back and see my vocation was born and nurtured from the beginning within this family. My parents and siblings never dreamt I would choose religious life, and were as surprised as I was of my calling. My parents, did, however, teach me how to pray and listen to God’s voice within. When I was 19, after a year of college, I felt the call. At first, I responded to an invitation to “Come and See”. I wasn’t immediately sure that this was the vocation that God wanted for me or more honestly, that it was what I wanted. My discernment has been an ongoing journey of faith, I continue to seek, to discover and rediscover who Jesus is and who I am, so as deepen our relationship. As I celebrate my 60th Jubilee as a vowed Religious I continue my journey of faith. I hope that through the years I have learned to live my life with greater love, simplicity and integrity. As I reflect in gratitude on the many blessings in my life as a sister, I have come to discover God’s loving mercy and an unfolding plan for my life. I am especially grateful for the many opportunities for ministry that have allowed me to share my personal gifts in many diverse communities and locations. I started first as a school teacher, but early on I was called into Hispanic ministry. I served on a parish and diocesan level as, Religious Education Director, Pastoral Life Coordinator, evangelizer, catechist, and spiritual director. I have served primarily in immigrant, marginalized Spanish speaking communities, and I have been greatly enriched by these experiences. I praise God for these blessings.