Meet A Sister!

See How She
Responded to the Call!

Sister Paschaline Kutac
I spent my childhood on a farm between Yoakum, Texas, my home parish, and Shiner, where I first attended public school because there was no transportation to a Catholic school. My father had tried to get a bus to come from the Catholic School, staffed by the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament (IWBS) Sisters, in Shiner; he had been told that if he could get twenty-five students in the area to attend, the school would send a bus. When I was in the seventh grade there were nearly thirty of us -eager students waiting for the busline which would continue for some thirty years.

I was impressed by my IWBS teachers, but felt more attracted to the Divine Providence Sisters who were working at the Catholic school in Yoakum. However, when I was 17, I had a dream which influenced my decision. In my dream I saw a holy lady, whom I have since identified as the IWBS foundress, crowning many IWBS Sisters with a veil. I saw myself among those waiting to be crowned!

After graduation, I was invited by a friend to apply for a job that the friend was vacating at Burns Hospital in Cuero. At that time the hospital was staffed by IWBS Sisters and by the end of a year, I had begun studying to be an IWBS Sister in Victoria! I have served many years in health care, the most recent of which was the School of Nursing in Yoakum in which I taught for 13 years. I am currently director of health care at Incarnate Word Convent.
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Sr. Frances Cabrini Janvier
I was born in a little town, Elsa, in the Rio Grande Valley. In my freshman, junior, and senior years of high school my parents sent me to board and study at Nazareth Academy in Victoria, Texas. At the end of my senior year I discerned that the Congregation of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament was where God wanted me. I wrote home to ask my parents’ permission to enter the convent. My Daddy was very philosophical, He wrote me a beautiful, challenging letter in reply. He asked me to remember when I was six years old. We were boating on the clear waters in Garner State Park. Daddy had taught me to swim before I could walk. He held my bathing suit straps as I dog-paddled along. When he let go and left me on my own, I did not even notice and swam.

When I was in the boat at Garner State Park, the water was so clear that the bottom seemed very near. I dove off the end of the boat and went down, down, down. I paddled to the top again to find my Daddy frightened when he missed me. He was reaching to pull me from the water, whose depths I had miscalculated.

In his permission letter to me, he said that I was taking another jump. The future was uncertain and perhaps I miscalculated again. However, he was willing to let me go because he knew that I knew how to swim in any waters.
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Sister Rose Stewart
I am the sixth child in a family of eight. After High School prior to entering the IWBS Sisters in 1951, I was working and helping my family with my paycheck. At this time the majority of those going to the Convent were in their teens. I had thought about becoming a Sister during High School, especially during the retreats given to the Juniors and Senior, but I decided that decision could wait until I was older.

When I was 21, I decided it was time. I was dating one young man consistently and he wanted a commitment from me but I knew that my heart was elsewhere. I went to the Convent to make arrangements to enter. Even though I knew this was my Call I still felt some reluctance. My brother had just entered the Navy and it would be some time before his check would be helping the family. So my Mother asked me if I could wait until his check began coming in. I readily agree and have never regretted that decision. I feel God knew I was not ready that year. The next year when I was 22 years old I had one fear that something would keep me from entering. I had only one desire - that was to become a Sister. During my life God has always directed me and led me through circumstances to follow His Will.
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Sister Charlene Machala
How did I respond to God's Call? A very often-asked question indeed. I believe my parents prayed me in. There were 9 of us (4 girls and 5 boys) from a small town near Houston, namely, Crosby, and my parents prayed that at least one of us would join religious life. I entered Nazareth Convent in Victoria, Texas, on August 17, 1957, and my sister entered 5 years later and remained for 17 years. Having shared this life together all those years, we have so much in common and she's always there for me as are my other siblings. One of my brothers introduced me to his friends as "a nun for all seasons." In fact, I will celebrate my golden jubilee next summer and if I had that choice to make over to be a religious sister, I'd do it again.

For 47 years I was sharing my love for Jesus through teaching and music. I've also done some traveling over the years; my favorite place to be is by the water. I plan quality time for that every summer.
In conclusion, I'd like to share a little excerpt a friend sent me recently which could be applied to ALL WALKS OF LIFE. It's called, "The 4 Blessed Looks' and it goes like this: Look back and thank God. Look forward and trust God. Look around and serve God. Look within and find God.
Life is short, so forgive quickly, love truly, and have a WONDERFUL JOURNEY! E-mail me!
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Sister Rebecca Janacek
My vocation story began over 40 years ago when I first felt the stirrings of a call from God to step out in faith to be a peace-warrior – a true child of the 1960’s! The first step of joining the religious congregation of the Incarnate Word Sisters of Victoria, Texas began a journey that now finds me doing health ministry among a poor, under-developed group of non-Christian nomads in the bushland of north western Kenya in East Africa.

Each step of this journey has prepared me for the next. Both the good and painful experiences of life have produced fruit that has given me the opportunity to grow in knowing myself and God more intimately. For it is from this knowledge that I am able to share the God-love that Jesus asks us to extend to our neighbors. It is only in relationship that we become fully Christ-like. My relationship with my sisters-in-Christ is a major stepping stone for my ministry, for it is they who support me when the demands of working in God’s fields gets too heavy. Our support of each other in word, action and prayer binds us as we work together to incarnate God’s Word to the little bit of world we are asked to care for. E-mail me!
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Sister Geraldine Pavlik
I was born in rural Weimar, Texas, the second oldest of nine children. My family, poor but loving, admired the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Sisters at St. Michael School and also the parish priests who always had time for the children of the area. Father even rented movies to show in the church basement on Saturday afternoons. What a treat-a movie and a soda for a nickel!

From the time I can remember, I admired the gentle, jovial sisters and wanted to be one of them. My mother approved. However, my dad wanted me to attend the public high school first. After one year of high school dad give permission and I entered the convent in Victoria where I found many more kind, gentle loving people who welcomed me with open arms. High school passed quickly at Nazareth and soon I became a postulant, novice and junior sister. Once I received the black veil a new ad venture began--teaching God's little ones during the year, and going to college in the summer, on Saturdays and even some evenings.

Surprises and thrills met me at every parish school and suddenly 50+ years of teaching and principalship flew by. My latest area of service is administering to my own sisters at Incarnate Word Convent. I would not wish to change my life story in any way. Praised be the Incarnate Word! E-mail me!
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Sister Gregoria Berger
I attended St. Mary's School in Nada, Texas, and was taught by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. From early on I wanted to be like them. I was inspired by their kindness and friendliness. Or course, my parents made sure that we were always respectful of them. When I was in eighth grade my decision was made firm. I would enter the convent for my freshman year. With my parents we visited the motherhouse in Victoria and learned what was required. I really had no idea what the Sisters did other than teach, but I knew that the Lord was calling me to be a Sister.

I made my profession of vows on August 6, 1961, and from that day on have not looked back. I am happy serving the Lord in whatever assignment He has given to me. E-mail me!
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Sister Lucilla Donnelly
I became interested in the religious life the last few years of high school. During the summer prior to my Junior year I worked with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament who were in charge of the hospital in Yoakum, Texas.

I was very sure that this was what I wanted to do with my life. I asked my mother how she would feel if I told her I was interested in becoming a sister. She responded,"I would love it." It was then that I began inquiring about possibilities. All went well! I entered the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament of Victoria, Tesas, on June 6, 1944. I have never regretted my choice.
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Sister Adelaide Popp
My call to the Religious Life was loud and clear- but deep within... I hesitated a long, long time. But I feared to disappoint my God - so, at the age of 21 - because of an agreement with Him, I answered that call and oh what a joy I experience today after a fruitful 70 years and more - a peaceful life within with Him.

If you hear His wisperings fo a "Religious Call" deep within your soul have no fears, for He is here, always near where I live! If you would like more information, please write to me and I can answer you.
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Sister Clementine Henke
Hi, my name is Sister Clementine Henke but it was not always Sister. I grew up in a family pretty much like the average family. My Dad was a farmer and he worked the soil. My Mom besides being a homemaker and taking care of the children helped in the field when the crops were harvested. Even thought we didn’t have much of what the world thought was important, we were rich because my parents were people of deep, simple faith and passed that on to each of us. As I said, my name was not always Sister Clementine, as a child I was known as Sylvia Ann. And at the very tender age of four I remember saying to my dad that I wanted to be a sister. Did I know for sure? “No!” However my parents invited all of the children to pray the rosary every night and one of the intentions was for vocations and if God drained to call one of their children they would be very happy. So the journey to the convent continues. At my 1st Communion at 6 year of age, again I told my pastor that I wanted to be a sister. As I grew in wisdom, grace and age, I continued to feel the nudging of the Incarnate Word. I kept praying and at l2 years of age, and in the eighth grade began communicating with the sisters in Victoria, also visiting them on several occasions along with a friend. At this time my mother was encouraging me to wait till I graduated from High School since we did have a Catholic one in my town. Back to my friend who also wanted me to enter after the 8th grade. I thought she was onto something so, shy, scared, little me went to seek advice from my pastor. My pastor most have seen something that I didn’t because without hesitation, he said, “Enter now or you will never enter”.

I followed my Pastor’s advice and entered after my graduation from 8th grade. Did I know now that this was it? “No,” because there were 4 years of candidacy, one year of postulancy, one year of novitiate and five years of Temporary Vows after which you make Profession for life. During these years we had time to learn about this life and live with the other sisters to see if this is what I wanted. As I stated earlier that at the age of 4 I started thinking of being a sister but I didn’t make my final vows till I was twenty two. Next year I will be celebrating 50 years as a Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. What a happy journey it has and continues to be for me. PRAISE BE THE INCARNATE WORD. (The Holy Spirit has been with me all the way.)
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Sister Theresa Marie Miller
I must give credit to my dear Mother and Daddy and my good sisters and brothers. Their good example was very important as I was the youngest member of the family.

As I went through elementary and high school, the Pastor of St. Agnes Church in Edna and a cousin of mine from Victoria loaned me some good books to read. These included Written In Heaven, the Story of a Soul and other books about St. Theresa of the Child Jesus. Other books included The Song of Bernadette and The Story of Fatima. There were very influential in my life.

While I was attending high school, three Sisters from Nazareth Convent came to Edna to teach Religious Vacation School for two weeks. This topped my decision to follow a religious vocation. After my junior year in high school I entered Nazareth Convent in Victoria, Texas, to become a Sister.

I have never had any reason to regret my decision. This is where God wants me to be and I am grateful that my answer has always been "yes"!
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Sister Esther Gerbermann
I was born and grew up in Nada, Texas. At the age of six I began my education in the public school in Nada just across the street form St. Mary Church, the parish church. It was not a public school like those of today. The principal was Mr. Hrncir and the teachers were seven Sisters from the Incarnate Word Convent in Victoria, Texas. We attended Mass almost everyday before we began school. Each first Thursday of the month we were taken to Church for Confession.

My family lived on a farm where my dad farmed cotton, corn and rice. We also raised cattle, hogs, chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys and we had a large garden in which we grew many kinds of vegetables. We also had some fruit trees. Therefore we had plenty of our own food. Our family shared some of this food with the Sisters. Bringing this food to the Sisters gave us chances to wisit with them and and get to know them outside the classroom.

Also some older girls from Nada, two of these being my cousins, had already gone to enter the convent. With these happenings came my ideas that I wanted to be a Sister. I entered the convent after I graduated from the eighth grade. I then completed my high school education at Nazareth Academy in Victoria. During my senior year, I became a postulant along with six other seniors to begin my first step to becoming a Sister. In the summer of 1955 we became Novices. The next summer we made our profession as Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament.
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Sister Evelyn Korenek
I don't remember a time I did not want to be a Sister, since I was taught by the Incarnate Word Sisters in Grades 1-8. They were so joyful, prayerful and had an air of mystery about them. The three of us who finally entered after 8th grade used to ask so many questions about their lives, which Sister Theresa Marie graciously answered. Missionaries used to come to school to talk about their lives and how they "saved souls" for God. I wanted to do that, not realizing then that my soul needed saving also. I came to realize I could be a missionary in this country.

Even after 43 years in religious life, today is still the first day of the rest of my life.
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Sister Kathleen Gioke
Hi! Like many of the Sisters’ stories, Jesus used different avenues to call me - my parents, relatives, and the Sisters who I encountered at Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio. The call was a quiet call, a nudging in my young life of wanting something more than what was my life at that time. I entered initial formation at the age of 16 and was professed in August of 1973. Since that time I have spent about thirty-four years in the Catholic School system. It has been a wonderful experience as I grew in wisdom, faith, and knowledge of the One I love and shared in my ministry and with my Sisters.

God is a God of surprises and wonder! With this attitude I never cease to be amazed at the many doors God has opened in my life. I have had the privilege of working with many people (religious and lay) throughout my years that have graced me and blessed me in my faith journey.

Currently, my life has changed from teacher and administrator in Catholic Schools to formation work as Novice Directress for our community. This is a new challenge and experience for me – one that requires openness and trust in the God of surprises. Is God nudging at your heart? Please feel free to contact me at srkathleeng@yahoo.com.
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Sister Odilia Korenek
Mary of Nazareth was visited by an Angel and said yes before her heart was fully grown, or so it seems. She knew that she trusted God and she grew into the very being God said she would become.

Paul of Tarsus was struck by a bright light on the open road, heard the voice of Jesus the Christ and his heart was changed forever.

Mary of Magdala was smitten by an itinerant preacher whom she eventually experience as her Rabboni!

Evelyn Ann Catherine Korenek had no sudden events which sparked her life and her heart in the direction followed by the three lives in the examples above. However, her home and church life expressed the belief that a vocation to the religious life was of great value.

There was meandering and dawling along the way. However, when she did become Sister Mary Odilia Korenek of the Blessed Trinity, she would probably have enjoyed the journeys with Jesus and Mary of Magdala, with a possible detour to accompany the fiery St. Paul, now and then. However, I believe that she would always return to the One who finally took hold of her heart even as he did the heart of the two Marys.

Sr. Odilia continues, I was and continue to be visited by life in ways which shape me for the work I am doing, as I continue to daily respond to the call to religious life. To frequently return to the One who made the call is crucial. I like to think of it in the manner of a response which came to me when at our recent Community Days, the presenter asked us to think about what our foundress, Jeanne Chezard de Matel, would advise us/me to do. Into my mind flew a wonderful response to that thought: “Hang around the Trinity, a lot”. I find that beautifully and simply expresses the daily answer to the Call which summoned me a half century ago and am grateful for the life I was given. Hanging around with the Trinity is really a blessed thing. Give it a try.
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Sister Emiliana Grafe
God has been SO GOOD to me! Everyone has their story and each one is different, but I will tell mine, one among many. If mine doesn’t resonate with yours, Read another one. From the very beginning God gave me the best of parents, ones with strong faith, terrific siblings and their spouses and the following generations who make up a wonderful family. I had the privilege of 13 years of Catholic Education at Sacred Heart School in Hallettsville where my future models and mentors, Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, taught me from age five till graduation.

Then He called me to be His spouse! Having given me the grace to say ‘yes’ to His call, He led me on a wondrous journey: opportunities I never dreamed of and exciting and challenging ministries I would never have dared to undertake on my own! Along the way, He provided all that I would need to carry out His will, plus family and friends to support me through it all. One of the best has been the privilege to initiate and direct the Associates of the Incarnate Word, first begun in 17th century France by our Foundress, Jeanne Chezard de Matel. What a blessing!

When I celebrated my Silver Jubilee of Profession, I asked my sixth grade Religion class, “How do you think I knew God was calling me?” A new, non-Catholic student was the only one to venture an answer and it is one that has stuck with me ever since. It went something like this, “I reckon you were already following the Lord and so you could hear Him.” How true! That is the best advice I could give to anyone. Try to follow the Lord each day, do what you think He wants and you will be able to hear His next invitation. Sr. Bernardine, my sixth grade teacher had given us similar advice. She would tell us that if we saw trash on the floor or outside, we should pick it up, otherwise soon we wouldn’t even notice it. Now, on my Golden Jubilee all I can do is thank God and all those who have helped me along the way. Praised be the Incarnate Word!
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Sister Mary Juroske
Praised be the Incarnate Word! Living in Vanderbilt, Texas, my parents were faithful to God, Church and family. Prayere were in our home. We prayed as a family for vocations. I had the desire to dedicate my life to Jesus in some way ever since I was in grade school. Being in a public school, the only contact with the Sisters was summer religion classes.

Praying one day in St. John Bosco Church with my mother after cleaning the church, we found a broken rosary and hung it on the Blessed Mother statue. Later we tried to take the rosary off but we couldn't. It was stuck between her fingers. My mother said, "That is a sign." So I entered the Convent on August 17, 1957. Now the statue with the rosary is at Nazareth Convent where I reside. I invite you to come and see for yourself and consider being a bride of Christ. It is a life of sacrifice, peace and love in the Incarnate Word.
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Sister Mildred Truchard
Some my earliest memories center around hearing bible stories and learning to pray. My grandmother taught us formal prayers and my dad taught us to speak to Mary and Jesus from our heart. The latter form of prayer got me into trouble in our catechism class when we were supposed to pray as the prayers were written in the catechism. Besides, my left-handed sign of the cross convinced my teacher that I really didn't know how to pray. So I tried to run away from class; however my dad would stay in back of the room and catch me whenever I tried to escape. I did eventually learn to enjoy my catechism classes and even became a teacher to the little ones when I got into high school. I had no contact with Sisters when I was little but my parents spoke so respectfully about them that I was intrigued with the idea of women spending their lives in service of the Church.

Then it happened! Two traveling Sisters stopped to attend Mass at our little Church in Mentz, Texas. My dad introduced me to them; it was love at first sight. That's what I wanted to be when I grew up! My dad did not encourage me, because he did not think that I would be happy as a Sister. Finally when I was sixteen and thinking about post high-school plans, he told me that it was my life and I could do what I wanted. However, if I would not be happy, he would come with my five brothers and rescue me from the convent! Finally, I had his permission! So I entered the convent at seventeen and began my studies to become a Sister, and never had occasion to regret my decision; I believed that I was where God wanted to be! And I believe that to this day -over fifty years later!
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