M E E T O U R A ssociates in M ission —
Viola Elizondo
H
aving attended Catholic school, Texas Associate Viola Elizondo was familiar with the lives of the saints. As a young girl, she remembers reading the story of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and feeling connected to the first American-born saint. Like Elizabeth, Viola was a convert to Catholicism. With S. Anne Darlene Wojtowicz and Associate Mary Ann Perez, Viola recently attended the June Caritas Convocation and was invited to give the reflection at the Saturday Mass. We asked Viola to share with us a brief history of her connection with the Sisters of Charity Community. Approximately 28 years ago, I was working at my parish, St. Pius X in Weslaco, Texas, on a youth retreat. One of the team leaders told me that she had invited a Sister from Holy Family Birth Center. In came S. Anne Darlene Wojtowicz; that was my first introduction to the Sisters of Charity. What drew you to say ‘yes’ to becoming a Sister of Charity Associate? I found S. Anne Darlene to be spiritual, intelligent and open. She was very much connected to the world around us. I found this to be refreshing. I was attracted to the Charities vision of building up God’s kingdom here on Earth. Soon after our initial meeting, I became S. Anne Darlene’s spiritual director. This allowed me to become familiar with the charism of the Sisters of Charity. The lifestyle attracted me. When I found out that the Sisters had a program for lay people, I inquired about it and made my own commitment. In September 2011, I celebrated 25 years as an Associate – something that makes me proud to be a part of the Sisters and their mission. What does it mean to you to be a Sister of Charity Associate? My way of life was already patterned after Elizabeth. When I met S. Anne Darlene, we became strong supporters and prayer partners of a lifestyle I was already living. The Community of Sisters is a powerful and positive influence that offers a solid Christ-like life that we, Sisters and Associates, walk together as daughters of Elizabeth. At our Caritas Convocation, I experienced something that is unique and wonderful. The Sisters and Associates came together as ONE. I had not experienced this before. I honestly think that God calls us to be one body. We are all in different parts of the country (and beyond) and at different stages of our lives; yet, we know the strength that the whole community, Sisters and Associates, has for each other. S ummer 2 0 1 2
Associate Viola Elizondo (left) with S. Mary Bookser at the June Caritas Convocation.
We work in common with the one purpose of sharing God’s love wherever we are. After all, Elizabeth was a married woman with children. She, too, was the founder of the Sisters of Charity! The duality of our group would so honor Elizabeth’s dual roles that she lived in her own lifetime. You recently attended the Caritas Convocation, what did it mean to you to be a part of that gathering, to be with so many Sisters and other Associates? The time we spent together at the Caritas Convocation was a window into the possibilities that await. It was a time of sharing, learning and appreciating the individual gifts of each Sister and Associate. It was a celebratory event. My vocation as a single laywoman is a lifelong calling. It is very strong, committed, and well grounded in the Lord. Furthermore, my vocation is well fed – for my education, most of which is religious studies, is symbolic of my commitment to God and God’s people. My association with Elizabeth and her “clan” is a wealth of strength that offers stimulation, information, energy and a joy that can only come from God herself. 23