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Daughters of Charity Services of San Antonio has served the community since 1958. They have established programs that increase accessibility to primary health care and human services. Shown below are Sisters Lucretia Burns, Bonnie Hoffman, Ellen McRedmond, Constance Hummel and Mary Jo Swift.
Photos provided |
By Jordan McMorrough
Today’s Catholic
SAN ANTONIO • The Daughters of Charity marked 50 years of service in San Antonio, from 1958 to 2008, with a liturgy of thanksgiving celebrated at St. Clare Church, site of the order’s DePaul Family Center, Oct. 12.
The gathering was a “family reunion” of sorts for sisters who have served in the Alamo City over the past five decades at the DePaul Center, El Carmen Center, La Misión Family Health Care, past programs at St. Philip of Jesus and St Leo the Great parishes and others.
Several dozen women religious took part in the entrance procession at the start of Mass in a show of solidarity and respect for the afternoon’s honorees. In attendance were members of the Congregation of Divine Providence, School Sisters of Notre Dame, the Holy Spirit Sisters, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Brigidine Sisters and Mercy Sisters.
Guests of honor — Daughters of Charity — traveled from Harlingen, Edinburg, Austin, Waco, Little Rock, St. Louis and even California. The sisters filled the liturgical roles of lectors, gift bearers and extraordinary ministers of holy Communion.
Principal celebrant at the liturgy was Vincentian Father Dan Borlik, CM, of Dallas, who previously served in San Antonio. Serving as principal concelebrant was Msgr. Lambert Bily, pastor of St. Clare. In his homily, Father Borlik said that most of Jesus’ disciples did not understand his parables, especially when he described the kingdom of God as a feast. He added that too many of us do not understand the parables until something happens in our lives. “The Daughters like a good table, a good meal,” the priest said with a smile, drawing laughter from the congregation. “They always have something to celebrate, and that is a good spiritual instinct.”
Referring to the current economic crisis, Father Borlik said there are many parents and children who are frightened about what the future may bring, in that they may lose their homes or their savings. “Today we see people who set goals for themselves, achieve them and then fall into depression, asking ‘is this all there is?’ said the priest. “Our God isn’t what we would like God to be. He wants us at the table. He wants people to know they are at a celebration.”
Calling the Daughters of Charity part of the fabric of San Antonio, Father Borlik explained that the community of women religious is close to being what Jesus described as the kingdom of God, as their personal salvation is tied to people in need. “Because of God’s love it is easy to be generous. We don’t start counting our pennies. We see other people as our wealth,” he said. “Jesus gave his disciples the gift of faith to see this. We stop counting the cost. We stop worrying. It is the natural thing to do.” Father Borlik concluded his remarks by again emphasizing that salvation is tied to other people, and that listeners should grow more conscious of the kingdom of God.
“Let us celebrate God’s love, which is saving us,” he said. “Let’s celebrate with gratitude, with people we know, and with God, who has been behind it all the time.”
Following the liturgy the celebration continued with a dinner at the St. Bonaventure Activity Center. The gathering featured a video presentation and comments from Larry Mejia, president/chief executive officer of Daughters of Charity Services of San Antonio, and Sister Mary Walz, DC, provincial of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul West Central Province, based in St. Louis.