Perpetually Professed Sisters
M. Mary Rosario Vega, Regional Superior
Perpetually Professed Sister
M. Mary Rosario Vega, Regional Superior
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
M. Rosario was born in a beautiful colonial city called San Luis Potosi in Mexico. She is number 4 of 5 siblings and attended Catholic Schools since Kindergarten. She attended the Instituto Renacimiento, an Elementary and Preparatory school staffed by the Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Mexico City where she learned about the Mercedarians’ life, felt strongly attracted to their way of living and responded to God's call.
Joined the community: July 1, 1972,
First Profession: August 14, 1975
Perpetual Vows: 1981
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Sr. Rosario enjoys her ministry as Principal and administrator because it gives her the opportunity to touch the hearts of the children and parents and lead the school to spiritual and academic excellence. The best part of each day is her time spent in front of the Blessed Sacrament to bring in front of Him all the needs of the school.
What Inspires Her:
She enjoys the time spent in community, sharing her life and apostolate with the 3 younger sisters in temporary vows who are under her guidance and care.
M. Teresa Gomez, Vicar Regional
Perpetually Professed Sister
M. Teresa Gomez, Vicar Regional
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Marilupe Mier y Teran, Council Member
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Marilupe Mier y Teran, Council Member
Perpetually Professed Sister
M. Maria Isabel Rodriguez, Council Member
Perpetually Professed Sister
M. Maria Isabel Rodriguez, Council Member
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
I was born in Tijuana, Baja California Norte, México, the border with San Diego, California. I have four siblings, two brothers and two sisters. I received my first education in one of our Mercedarian schools and from there I felt Jesus calling me to Religious life.
I entered in the Community on August 8, 1986 when I was 17 years old. I celebrated my silver anniversary from my first profession on August 15, 2015.
Highlight of Daily Life:
What I enjoy the most is sharing my daily life with my community as I was doing with my family when I was with them and putting my gifts at Jesus’ service.
What Inspires Her:
I am really enjoying reading In Sinu Jesu. It is helping me to enter more deeply into adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and increases my desire to surrender my life to Jesus.
M. Dulce Maria Flores, Council Member
Perpetually Professed Sister
M. Dulce Maria Flores, Council Member
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
I was sent to the Mojave Desert in California immediately after entering the community in Corpus Christi. I was sent to teach in the school and worked with the military personnel in catechesis. My final vows were November 1, 1963
Highlight Of Daily Life:
What I like about my daily life with the Sisters in my community is their deep spirituality that is shared in community along with the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. There is a joy living and working with them.
What Inspires Her:
My greatest inspiration is a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
M. Jeanette Marie Estrada, Vocation Director & Mother Mistress
Perpetually Professed Sister
M. Jeanette Marie Estrada, Vocation Director & Mother Mistress
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
I was born in Mexico City, Mexico, the youngest of 3 children. I studied 11 years in one of our Mercedarian Schools in Mexico where I enjoyed playing games with the sisters during our recess time. I joined the community in my junior year when I was 16 years old. Mother General allowed me to do my postulancy as I finished high school.
Highlight Of Daily Life:
I have the honor of accompanying my sisters in their beginning of religious life as Mother Mistress. It is incredible how much Jesus has enlarged my heart by loving these young women who desire with all their mind, heart and strength to surrender their lives to Christ. I commend them daily to Jesus during my adoration time in front of the Blessed Sacrament exposed in our chapel.
What Inspires Her:
I read the book In Sinu Jesu, which has reaffirmed me so much in the value of our adoration time and the power of intercession. God is really a Father to us, a Father that loves us to the end.
M. Guadalupe Rosales
Perpetually Professed Sister
M. Guadalupe Rosales
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
My father died when I was eight years old, and my mother placed us in boarding school in order for her to be able to go to work. I lived very happy with our Religious Sisters. When I graduated from grammar school in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, the principal of the school told my mother she could put me in a boarding school run by the same congregation in Corpus Christi, Texas. After I graduated from High School, I joined the sisters in San Antonio, Texas where they had the house of formation and I entered the congregation June 20, 1953.
Highlight Of Daily Life:
I love teaching and also Adults and CCD school.
What Inspires Her:
I thank my congregation for sending me to college to get my degree in Education.
Sr. Patricia Rodriguez
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Patricia Rodriguez
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
I was born in Pleasanton, TX. I worked for a doctor and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. I was engaged. A priest asked me if I wanted to be a nun. I told him I had never thought about it before. I joined the Legion of Mary and we would pray the rosary, visit families and hospitals and I loved it. I spoke to the same priest that had asked me if I wanted to be a nun and he told me: “you need to make a decision.” He said, “do you want to spend the rest of your life with one man and have a family? Or would you like to consecrate yourself to God and serve many people? I knew I wanted to give myself to God.
Joined the community: July 26, 1965 when I was 24 years old.
Date of First Profession: September 24, 1968
Date of Perpetual Vows: September 24, 1971
Highlight Of Daily Life:
I love my adoration time. I love that. I love being with Jesus.
What Inspires Her:
M. Dolores inspires me. She was already a professed sister when I entered. She’s very intelligent. She was always willing to help us and especially the other sisters who had recently arrived from Mexico. She sacrificed her own studies to help the sisters.
Sr. Gloria de Maria Medina
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Gloria de Maria Medina
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
I was born in Michoacan, MX and I have 6 siblings.
I entered in the Community 1947 when I was 16 years old.
Highlight Of Daily Life:
What I enjoy the most is serving my community.
What Inspires Her:
Congregation in my community.
Sr. Lucy Sánchez
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Lucy Sánchez
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
I was born in Jalisco, MX and I have 13 siblings. Some of my sisters are even Sisters too!
I entered in the Community in 1961 when I was 17 years old.
Highlight Of Daily Life:
What I enjoy the most is praying the rosary.
What Inspires Her:
Having the opportunity to take care of one of the elderly sisters in my community.
Sr. Mary Rodriguez
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Mary Rodriguez
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
I was born in Detroit, Michigan Jan 16, 1931. I have 6 siblings and I used to play piano.
I entered in the Community on April 4, 1944, when I was 14 years old.
Highlight Of Daily Life:
What I enjoy the most is praying throughout the day and watching the Spurs’ games.
What Inspires Her:
To be visited by my Sisters in Formation.
Sr. Mary of the Angels Correa Reyes
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Mary of the Angels Correa Reyes
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
I was born in Mexico City and I have 5 siblings. I was a very happy girl, kind of outgoing, and I liked to dance and sing. I also used to study Medicine.
First Profession: September 24, 1963
Final Profession: December 25, 1968.
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Well, God. He’s my all.
What Inspires Her:
God always inspires in one way or another.
Sr. Martha Mendoza
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Martha Mendoza
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Rosa Erlinda Pocasangre
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Rosa Erlinda Pocasangre
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Demetria Castro
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Demetria Castro
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
My father brought me to the community after he had been informed of what community life is and what convent they would be sending me to. I entered the congregation April 8, 1964 in San Luis, Potosi
Highlight Of Daily Life:
My greatest joy has always been to celebrate the Eucharist with my Mercedarian family.
What Inspires Her:
Dulce’s ministry, how God uses us human beings to get closer to His people.
Sr. Stella Contreras
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Stella Contreras
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
Anything going on at the Church, I was there. I was all the time at the Church. One time, I was going home and my sister met me at the door with a luggage so I could stay there because I was always there! One night, I was praying and I said, ‘Lord, I give you three days so you can tell me if I really want to follow you.’ But the next day I said, if I get married, I’m not going to be able to go to Church everyday. So
the next day, I was ready. I didn’t need the three days. I told my family that friday night. Saturday, I got everything ready, and I went to the convent on that Monday.
Final Profession: September 24, 1966
Highlight Of Daily Life:
I love the prayer. That really called my heart when I first visited the sisters.
What Inspires Her:
Community prayer has been inspiring me lately!
Sr. Teresita Paz
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Teresita Paz
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Rita Pinedo
Perpetually Professed Sister
Sr. Rita Pinedo
Perpetually Professed Sister
Background:
After a beautiful experience with the Lord during my First Communion, I felt called to give my life to God. Seven years after, at 14 years old, I entered with our sisters. I knew them because we went to their school. Two of my sisters are also Sisters in our Congregation!
Highlight Of Daily Life:
My communion with Christ during Mass and silent Adoration with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
What Inspires Her:
My community that is full of love and charity!
Temporary Professed Sisters
Sr. Katherine Marie Chiara McCloskey
Temporary Professed
Sr. Katherine Marie Chiara McCloskey
Temporary Professed
Background:
I could never shake this insatiable desire for "something more," though I was living a life that most people would see as "successful"...everything changed when I had a profound encounter with God on Pentecost 2012.
Joined Community: July 29, 2014
Entrance to Postulancy: September 24, 2014
Entrance to Novitiate: September 29, 2015
First Profession of Vows: August 14, 2017
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Growing in and living from my true identity as a beloved daughter of the Father and a spouse of Jesus Christ.
What Inspires Her:
When people have the courage to be their vulnerable, true selves.
Sr. April Marie Josefina Candelaria
Temporary Professed
Sr. April Marie Josefina Candelaria
Temporary Professed
Background:
Sr. Josefina is originally from Appleton, Wisconsin, is the middle in a family of five children, and grew up mostly in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
Joined Community: July 29, 2014
Entrance to Postulancy: September 24, 2014
Entrance to Novitiate: September 29, 2015
First Profession of Vows: August 14, 2017
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Sr. Josefina loves to laugh with her beloved Sisters and to make them laugh! She also enjoys times of silence and solitude with her Beloved.
What Inspires Her:
The idea of denying one's self in order to put others first has been very helpful to Sr. Josefina as of late as she discovers more about the Mercedarian charism, which is to lay down one's life for those in danger of losing their faith.
Sr. Inés de Jesús Soto
Temporary Professed
Sr. Inés de Jesús Soto
Temporary Professed
Background:
Sr. Ines was born in a little town in Mexico to a big family, and always liked to be involved in church. She joined the community on January 30, 2014, and made her first vows on April 17, 2018.
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Sr. Ines de Jesus enjoys her ministry because it gives her the opportunity to share God's love with the little ones and bring back their needs to our Lord during her adoration hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
What Inspires Her:
One thing that has been inspiring her lately is reading the book, "Roses Among Thorns" by St. Frances de Sales. It is truly revitalizing her spirit.
Sr. Yvelyne Marie Bernard
Temporary Professed
Sr. Yvelyne Marie Bernard
Temporary Professed
Background:
Sr. Yvelyne Marie Bernard, HMSS was born into a Haitian family and was therefore brought up in a very religious and faith filled home. She moved with her parents to Florida by way of New York when she was 15. She finished high school in Florida and attended the University of Florida. After graduating in 2011 she moved to South Louisiana. From there she met the Mercedarians and attended their discernment retreat in Baton Rouge, and the rest is history!
Joined Community: January 10, 2015
Entrance to Postulancy: August 15, 2015
Entrance to Novitiate: September 24, 2016
First Profession of Vows: August 15, 2018
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Sr. Yvelyne Marie, HMSS loves the sharing of Lectio reflections on Saturday within community and enjoys watching The Chosen with community on Sundays. But above all, she cherishes those moments of one-on-one time with Jesus exposed in Eucharistic adoration.
What Inspires Her:
The example of her sisters striving for holiness; the example of Saints who have won their eternal reward and are rooting for us until we win the same; the teachings of JPII, especially Theology of the Body and the teachings of Encounter Ministries.
Sr. Kathryne of the Holy Trinity Cornista Lopez
Temporary Professed
Sr. Kathryne of the Holy Trinity Cornista Lopez
Temporary Professed
Background:
Sr. Trinity grew up moving around a lot being in a Navy family. She had a significant encounter with the Lord in college and resolved to give her life to Him before she knew that this would lead her to become a sister, a bride of Jesus Christ.
Joined Community: August 5, 2015
Entrance to Postulancy: August 15, 2015
Entrance to Novitiate: September 24, 2016
First Profession of Vows: August 15, 2018
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Sr. Trinity loves that the community's daily life is centered around the Eucharist and follows a Eucharistic rhythm that involves essentially the celebration of the Holy Mass and Eucharistic adoration where they encounter Jesus so they may see Him in the apostolate and bring all those entrusted to them directly to His Heart in the Blessed Sacrament.
What Inspires Her:
Lately, Sr. Trinity has been inspired by how the Holy Spirit is stirring in her life and in the lives of others, and she is excited to see how it all unfolds for the greater community.
Sr. Lourdes of the Holy Eucharist Rebecca Furnells
Temporary Professed
Sr. Lourdes of the Holy Eucharist Rebecca Furnells
Temporary Professed
Background:
Sr. Lourdes of the Holy Eucharist, HMSS grew up in Florida to a Puerto Rican family where faith was the constant that would guide her decisions and lead her to answer a call to love as Christ in the deepest way she could.
Joined Community: August 2, 2016
Entrance to Postulancy: August 15, 2016
Entrance to Novitiate: September 24, 2017
First Profession of Vows: August 15, 2019
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Sr. Lourdes of the Holy Eucharist loves spending long hours in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and silent meditation while majestically staring off in the distance. She also enjoys spending time with her sisters discussing the wonders of God.
What Inspires Her:
Seeing the way the Lord speaks through each of her Sisters.
Sr. Raquel of the Holy Spirit Gutierrez
Temporary Professed
Sr. Raquel of the Holy Spirit Gutierrez
Temporary Professed
Background:
Sr. Raquel of the Holy Spirit, HMSS was born in Modesto, California and was raised in Riverbank, California where she lived her whole life. Her parents are originally from Mexico and she is the youngest of six siblings. A total love for God and a desire to be completely His, an attraction to religious life, a love for the Church, and the perduring pursuit of the Holy Spirit nudging on her heart all led to her resounding "yes" to God and to the vocation she was made for.
Joined Community: July 27, 2017
Entrance to Postulancy: August 15, 2017
Entrance to Novitiate: September 24, 2018
First Profession of Vows: August 15, 2020
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Every time she is reminded of the gift of her vocation, she can't help but praise God and say, "I love you, Jesus."
What Inspires Her:
Growing deeper in love with God's Word and discovering its potency to lift the heart in praise, strengthen, edify, and banish the enemy.
Sr. Tonia of the Heart of Jesus Borsellino
Temporary Professed
Sr. Tonia of the Heart of Jesus Borsellino
Temporary Professed
Background:
Sr. Tonia of the Heart of Jesus, HMSS was born into a classic Italian home and was always driven by a passion to search for the truth in all things, which eventually moved her to choose religious life over a career in Broadcast Journalism.
Joined Community: July 28, 2017
Entrance to Postulancy: August 15, 2017
Entrance to Novitiate: September 24, 2018
First Profession of Vows: August 15, 2020
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Sr. Tonia of the Heart of Jesus, HMSS loves asking Jesus to give her a new awareness of His love every day and realizing how He answers her prayer every time either through the sacraments, encounters with her sisters, or one of His many other unexpected and creative ways.
What Inspires Her:
Seeing how the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of her sisters, students, and women she walks with who are discerning, and witnessing their great desire to love God in return.
Sr. Ashley Marie Refugio Santora
Temporary Professed Sister
Sr. Ashley Marie Refugio Santora
Temporary Professed Sister
Background:
Sr. Ashley Marie Refugio Santora, HMSS is the oldest of five and having gone to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the school run by the Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, she developed a strong sense of community and reverence for the faith which brought her to discover a deeper call to serve the Lord. She is the first student to enter with the Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in the United States.
Joined Community: August 13, 2018
Entrance to Postulancy: August 15, 2018
Entrance to Novitiate: September 24, 2019
First Profession of Vows: August 15, 2021
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Sr. Ashley Marie Refugio Santora, HMSS enjoys being able to spend time in Eucharistic Adoration and lay down all the worries and tasks at hand and see how he provides ways she may not have expected. Especially the surprise visits by our neighbor's Golden Retriever, Scarlett.
What Inspires Her:
Being able to live and learn from our older sisters in the community and asking Jesus for the grace to surrender my life to him. Also, in the Theology classes that I am taking, I am able to see the deep faith and love that the lay people in my classes have and I pray that I am able to be a witness of Christ's love to everyone I meet, but most importantly to my sisters in community.
Sr. Monica Hope Mercedes Waters
Temporary Professed
Sr. Monica Hope Mercedes Waters
Temporary Professed
Background:
Sr. Monica Mercedes Waters, HMSS is the second oldest of four children and was born in Cleveland, Ohio. While delving into her faith more intensely, she discerned the Lord calling her to give herself completely and enter religious life.
Joined Community: January 8, 2019
Entrance to Postulancy: January 9, 2019
Entrance to Novitiate: September 24, 2019
First Profession of Vows: August 15, 2021
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Sr. Monica Mercedes Waters, HMSS cherishes her time encountering God in the liturgy, especially Mass, deepening her relationship with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament during her hour of Adoration, and discovering all the new ways the Lord continues to reveal His love to her every day.
What Inspires Her:
Reading the lives of the saints, Scripture, nature and all the surprising ways the Lord continues to draw her closer to Him.
Novices
Sr. Chelsea Parza
First-Year Novice
Sr. Chelsea Parza
First-Year Novice
Background:
Sr. Chelsea was born and raised in Florida within a close-knit Catholic Filipino household. Through a gradual strengthening of her faith in God’s tender mercy, she was able to recognize the call that God had placed on her heart to become his bride. After participating in college ministries, becoming a registered nurse, and continuing to strive for holiness, she chose to surrender to God’s plan.
Joined Community: August 13, 2020
Entrance to Postulancy: August 14, 2020
Entrance to Novitiate: August 22, 2021
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Sr. Chelsea cherishes her daily alone time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for one hour (after her cup of coffee, of course!)
What Inspires Her:
The laughter, singing, and community of the sisters reminds her that holiness is full of abundant joy in the Lord.
Sr. Grace Kupiszewski
First-Year Novice
Sr. Grace Kupiszewski
First-Year Novice
Background:
Sr. Grace was born in Orlando, Florida as the middle child of three. She has always had a desire to serve others in whatever way she could. This desire led her closer to God, the ultimate source of help, and to go from a career in physical therapy to religious life.
Joined Community: August 13, 2020
Entrance to Postulancy: August 14, 2020
Entrance to Novitiate: August 22, 2021
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Sr. Grace enjoys watching all the sisters file into the chapel to pray the Divine Office four times a day and praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
What Inspires Her:
The daily reminder of God's mercy and love in calling not just her to this vocation, but all her religious sisters.
Sr. Katherine Allensworth
First-Year Novice
Sr. Katherine Allensworth
First-Year Novice
Background:
Sr. Katherine was born in Canton, Ohio. In college she heard the message of the Gospel and wanted to live for Christ in response to His love. After becoming a nurse, God made it clear that He had more for her life.
Entrance to Postulancy: January 6, 2021
Entrance to Novitiate: August 22, 2021
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Receiving Jesus at Mass and then being with Him in Eucharistic Adoration.
What Inspires Her:
Experiencing God's love in community!
Background:
Sr. Katherine was born in Canton, Ohio. In college she heard the message of the Gospel and wanted to live for Christ in response to His love. After becoming a nurse, God made it clear that He had more for her life.
Entrance to Postulancy: January 6, 2021
Entrance to Novitiate: August 22, 2021
Highlight of the Day:
Receiving Jesus at Mass and then being with Him in adoration.
What inspires Her:
Experiencing God's love in community
Postulants & Aspirants
Audra Hoffmeister
Postulant
Audra Hoffmeister
Postulant
Background:
Audra grew up in Ohio in a faith-filled family. A desire for 'something more' always burned in her heart and she felt God nudging her to follow Him in a deeper way. After graduating college, volunteering abroad, and starting a career as an engineer, a deep encounter with God led her to respond to her invitation.
Joined Community: August 22, 2021
Entrance to Postulancy: August 22, 2021
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Audra enjoys Rosary walks with her sisters, as encountering the beauty of creation draws her to a deeper contemplation of God's constant presence, upholding and sustaining everything.
What Inspires Her:
Reading the lives of the Teresa saints (St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Teresa of Avila) who loved God profoundly and tenaciously clung to Him in all things.
Sara Ferreira
Postulant
Sara Ferreira
Postulant
Background:
Sara grew up in Massachusetts with her parents and younger brother. In college she grew closer to Jesus and Mary through spending time in Eucharistic Adoration. After two years of teaching at an elementary school, she felt the Lord calling her to spend more time and form a deeper relationship with Him which led her to religious life..
Joined Community: August 22, 2021
Entrance to Postulancy: August 22, 2021
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Sara loves spending time singing praise and worship music, especially with her sisters as it is a way of truly feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit in our community and giving praise to our Lord.
What Inspires Her:
Sara loves watching the school children in Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. Seeing their simple and total love for Jesus, and hearing that love as they sing, gives her joy and brings her closer to Jesus.
Ashin Kalladanthyil
Postulant
Ashin Kalladanthyil
Postulant
Background:
Ashin was born in India but raised in South Florida since the age of two. She grew closer to Mother Mary who drew her to the Lord in middle school. In 9th grade, Ashin felt the call to religious life, however, decided to do so after graduating from college. After working in higher education for a few years and one year in a missionary and formation program called Amoris Christi Institute, she moved forward in making a concrete yes to the Lord.
Joined Community: August 21, 2021
Entrance to Postulancy: August 22, 2021
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Ashin loves the formation she's receiving in classes and by living in community because it has led her to a deeper reliance on Christ and trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide her in the way of Love.
What Inspires Her:
The hidden life of Mother Mary and Christ who raised the dignity of ordinary life with its struggles and joys. Also, St. Therese of Lisieux opened a ways for her to live out her call to holiness in everyday life.
Megan Henle
Aspirant
Megan Henle
Aspirant
Background:
Megan was born in the cornfields of Minnesota, and after college, adventured out into life as a Catholic missionary. Her love of God and His people brought her to this next step of entering religious life.
Joined Community: August 1, 2021
Entrance to Aspirancy: August 4, 2021
Highlight Of Daily Life:
Megan loves the daily joys of sharing life over meals with the sisters amidst her teaching in the school.
What Inspires Her:
Saints who have "done the hard thing" and given their yes to Christ with their whole hearts.
