Sisters of the Incarnate Word
                 and Blessed Sacrament
                        Victoria, Texas

The MCSH Sisters hosted the annual celebration of Consecrated Life Day at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Victoria at the 10:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, February 3, 2019. Pictured above with Bishop Brandan and Father Albert, Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, are members of the Missionary Catechists, the Incarnation Consecration Mission Vietamese Sisters, and the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Sisters. Among us in spirit were the cloistered Carmelites of the Virgin Mary and the Vietamese Dominicans who were celebrating in Houston.
In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II had instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd which is also know as Candlemas Day, the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday, February 3 this year, in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church.

We enjoy the briskit and sausage dinner at the Fundraiser supporting the Missionary Catechists' Fundraiser. Last Year's event had been cancelled because of Hurricane Harvey.

Summoned by Love –Theme of The Twenty-third Incarnate Word International Reunion
 The Twenty-third International Reunion of the Order of the Incarnate Word bearing the theme “Summoned by Love” (Convocados por el Amor) was hosted by the Mexico City (Tlalpan) Generalate on July 23-27, 2018. It was held at the Oblates’ Villa Maria Immaculata Retreat Center about an hour’s drive from Mexico City. The beautiful center is situated in a valley completely surrounded by mountains with moderate afternoon temperatures which made the Reunion most delightful. 
Participants from Victoria included Sisters Kathleen Goike, Clare Underbrink, Leonita Barron, Stephanie Marie Martinez, Emiliana Grafe, Mary Beth Cernoch, Mildred Truchard, Frances Cabrini Janvier, Digna Vela, and Associates TIBO and Janie Robles, Sharon Pratka, and Janet Adamek.

Topics of the presentations included various aspects of the LOVE which is so much a component of the Incarnate Word spirituality. There was excellent simultaneous translation of the Spanish talks so there was complete understanding of the discourses. Thursday, the last full day of the reunion included an “Outing to the Gardens of Mexico” which everyone enjoyed. Afterward there were presentations from the Reunification Committee, an update on the status of the Cause of Beatification of Jeanne Chezard de Matel, and an update of the Male Branch of the Incarnate Word by the four seminarians who are preparing to become “Fathers of the Incarnate Word” along with their Peruvian priest director.

 The spirit of unity prevailed throughout the Reunion. Praised be the Incarnate Word!
 

On Sunday, July 8, four Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament celebrated Jubilees (Anniversaries of their First Profession of Vows) at Incarnate Word Convent in Victoria with a special Mass followed by a Reception. Pictured at right are: Sister Liliane Janda, 25 years; Sister Valerie Janecka, 50 years, Sister Alberta Novosad, 75 years, and Sister Mary Beth Cernoch, 50 years. Congratulations, Sisters!

The Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Sisters of Victoria, Texas, held their 2018 Chapter of Elections on March 21-23, 2018.
Pictured above (back row, left to right) are Sister Andrea Hubnik, General Treasurer; Sister Clare Underbrink, Second Councilor; and Sister Stephana Marbach, First General Councilor and General Superior Assistant. Also elected were (front row) Sister Leonata Barron, Third Councilor; Sister Kathleen Goike, General Superior; and Sister Stephanie Marie Martinez, Fourth Councilor.They were inducted into office on June 15, 2018

The Sisters at Incarnate Word Convent often have "parties" when there is a big task awaiting them. Here you see the Sisters shucking and cleaning fresh corn. It's amazing how much can be accomplished when we work together.
It's even more fun eating all that fresh corn. Yum-m-m!

 
         A group of IWBS Sisters prays at the cemetery for those who have gone before us.

  We, Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, are called to be authentic, contemplative women and stewards of the earth, who bring a compassionate listening presence to our world by standing in solidarity with the voiceless, the vulnerable, those affected by violence, and those hungering for spiritual and moral witness.
 

 There will be different schedules on Sisters' meetings, retreats, celebrations, funerals, etc.

Main Chapel
Sun: 8:30 a.m. (unless special event) 
Mon: Communion Service 6:20 a.m.   
Tue-Fri: 6:20 a.m. 
Sat: 8:30 a.m.

Health Care Chapel (Upstairs)    
Sun: 10:00 a.m. 
Mon: Communion Service 10:00 a.m.   
Tue-Sat: 10:00 a.m. Most days  
 

Thirteen persons made their consecration as Associates of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament made their Consecration at Incarnate Word Convent in Victoria, Texas. Five Associates made their perpetual Consecration at the same time. There are currently 142 Associates who strive to bring knowledge and love of Jesus, the Incarnate Word, to those whose lives they touch.

The Sisters at Incarnate Word Convent in Victoria, along with many folks in the area, were happy to wake up to see a winter wonderland in the area on December 8, 2017, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. By noon the snow had all melted; however, we have many memories and pictures of this beautiful display of God's handiwork.

Sister Callista Mares has lived one hundred years and has been a professed Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament of Victoria, Texas for 80 years. On Sunday, February 4, she had a party worthy of the occasion with family and friends at Incarnate Word Convent where she lives. The celebration began with Mass in the Convent Chapel. Bishop David Fellhauer presided at the Liturgy with concelebrants Msgr. John Peters and Phi Nguyen, Incarnate Word Convent chaplain. Now, Sister Callista is waiting to celebrate her 80th anniversary as a professed Sister this summer! As of May 5, Sister Callista is continuing to celebrate in Heaven.
Pictured at left: Sister Callista Mares, seated, leaves the Convent Chapel where the Mass was held. At right is Sister Paschaline, Incarnate Word Convent Health Care Director.At left is her niece, Karen. Sister Callista has since gone to join the Incarnate Word in heaven where she is celebrating God's infinite love!