Obituaries

We will talk about what it means to see the face of God. Do we really know the face of God? We will talk about the importance of knowing God and His teachings through study and prayer, as well as how our words and actions can help or hurt Him. Also, we will talk about some of the deaf experiences of the face of God.

Born deaf, Fr. Christopher Klusman currently serves as a diocesan priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in southeast Wisconsin. Before his ordination in 2011, he

Rest in Peace

graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and served as a Sign Communication Specialist for the Department of Public Instruction in the state of Wisconsin before entering into the seminary. He now serves as Director of the Deaf Apostolate and Chaplain at St. Thomas More High School.

The retreat is February 14 from 6-9 p.m. and February 15 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday Mass will be celebrated.

Please call 505.831.8174 or email jwar@archdiosf.org for more information.

Sr. Amata Dawson, OP

Dominican Sister of Peace Amata Dawson (Marie Anna Ida) (96) died at the Mohun Health Care Center in Columbus, Ohio on December 16, 2019.

The only daughter of Carolina Reed and Henry Dawson, Sr. Amata was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She worked as a billing clerk before entering the congregation in 1948, and was faithful to her calling to God and God’s people for more than 68 years.

Sr. Amata was devoted to her long and varied ministry throughout her religious life. She served her community at congregational retreat houses in New Mexico, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico, serving on the retreat staff of the Dominican Retreat House in Albuquerque for 16 years.

She was named Local Superior of the Media, PA, Motherhouse, served as Vocation Director and Candidate Director, and was elected President from 1972 to 1978 and 1986 to 1990.

Sr. Amata was also part of the Dominican Sisters Urban Activity in Washington, where she helped learners earn their GED and acted as a substitute teacher in the public school system. She continued her work with young people serving in campus ministry at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Sr. Amata was always open to wherever the Holy Spirit would take her. She found centering prayer to be a deeply contemplative and fulfilling experience, and often prayed with her arms raised and hands open as though waiting for the blessings of God to come to her. Even when she lost the power of speech, Sr. Amata continued to preach peace through her loving ways and kind smiles.

Deacon Gene Tuma

Deacon Gene Tuma, age 89, was called from this life to his new life on Saturday, January 11, 2020, with his family by his side. Deacon Gene was the youngest of 13 children. He was born in 1930 to Charles and Eva Tuma, in a small town in Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife, Arlyne, of 64 years; children, James and wife, Anna Marie, Christine and husband, Victor, Paula and husband, Kerry. He was also a loving grandpa to numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Deacon Gene will always be remembered for his fatherly concern and love for all of his family. Deacon Gene was ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe on June 7, 1981. His diaconal ministry enabled him to serve on the chaplain staff at the former St. Joseph West Mesa Hospital as well as the chaplain for Bernalillo County Fire Dept. District 7. He also served as the Associate Director of the Permanent Diaconate from 1996 to 2002 and served as deacon in a number of parishes including, St. Jude Thaddeus, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Community. Deacon Gene officially retired from active ministry on June 7, 2002 but remained on the Holy Rosary staff, part-time, until October 31, 2017, at which time he and his wife, Arlyne, once again became members of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church.