Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrament Province of the Immaculate Conception Blessed be God! Spring 2017 Wellness Retreat

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1 SJS News Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrament Hermanas S iervas de J esús S acramentado Province of the Immaculate Conception Blessed be God! Spring 2017 Wellness Retreat The SJS Wellness Retreat in Bonita provided our Sisters with physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being for a more complete balance in our work and lives. Lunch was provided by our dear friends the Knights of Columbus, Corpus Christi Council There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit. I Cor. 12, 4 Sr. Lilia Barba & OLGA Students Missionary Work Dear Friends, This newsletter is dedicated to those our sisters who make a difference through leadership. We came to California in 1926, bags packed with dreams to love Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and zeal to share His love with those around us; which is everything we need to continue the vision of our Father Founder Silviano Carrillo to love and serve. Sr. Eva Rodriguez SJS, Associate Director and Rev. Joseph Miller, SVD, Director for the Missions, Diocese of San Diego, attended the celebration Mass for the Missionary Childhood Association. For the last 8 years, Sr. Eva has educated our Catholic school students about missionary work and the needs of children in poverty. Supporting and promoting Children Helping Children through prayer and school-sponsored fundraising. Today, SJS serve in roles of school leadership in Bakersfield, Calexico, Chula Vista, El Centro, Paso Robles, San Ysidro, and Sun Valley in the US Province. Through prayer, hard work and dedication, our sisters are forming leaders for our Church and country and heirs of heaven. May this issue be a celebration of the gifts God has given us in our Sister-leaders, and of the many blessings we have received through your love and kindness through the years. Please pray for more holy vocations to the priesthood and religious life, especially to our Congregation, so that we may continue to love and serve for many years to come. You are in our prayers daily. In Christ, Sister Lilia M. Barba, SJS Provincial Superior usasjs.org Sr. Katia Chavez and Sr. Celina Davalos celebrating the school s Retreat Day at St. Mary School in El Centro. WE A RE N MOBI OW LE! Take t he Sis ters w every ith you wher e you go! NEW! Sign u p to rec Wee eive our kly usa flections sjs.org

2 OUR PRINCIPALS AND PRINCIPLES MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Seven out of the 10 schools supported by SJS have our Sisters as Principals. Job responsibilities include implementation of the schools Mission/Vision, development of Catholic values, academic excellence, monitoring financial operations, and the management of staff and students. Our Sisters hold Master degrees yet they only receive a stipend from their schools, no other money comes from tuition or churches. We depend on friends like you to close the gap between what is earned and what is needed to expand our ministry. Sr. Maria Elvia Gonzalez I enjoy serving and being a part of this community where I can make a positive impact. Teachers, students and parents all work together as a team to provide a sense of unity to what is most important to us all the students. As many generations come and go, we continue to build our one big family. Sr. Lupita Hernandez Vincent is a small school with a big school spirit. We encourage the students to set and achieve goals with a vision for their future. Most students transfer not only to State Universities but to Ivy League schools as well! GO SCOTS! 14 yrs. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy, Calexico SJS, 35 yrs. of service 5 yrs. at Vincent Memorial High School, Calexico SJS, 25 yrs. of service Sr. Katia A. Chavez Our students are lovely; we can breathe the happiness that God brings to their hearts. Parents and teachers work together providing students faith to strengthen them to face challenges, as well as and the skills to overcome them. We are a team that builds God s kingdom as we walk under the love and protection of St. Mary, Mother of God. 6 yrs. at St. Mary School, El Centro SJS, 16 yrs. of service Sr. Eva Lujano Our school was founded in 1933 by the SJS. Our loving and supportive team strives to stay at the vanguard of technology and instructional methodology. We challenge our students to excel and go beyond their capabilities, advancing toward higher education. 4 yrs. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, San Ysidro SJS, 28 yrs. of service Sr. Remedios Aguilar Our SJS sisters have been serving in this community since We strive to provide our students with an excellent foundation in academics and strong Christian values for growth in faith and developing a relationship with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. We are proud of our accomplishments! Sr. Rebeca Munoz St. Rose has a strong sense of community. Parents, teachers, and students are sensitive to each other s needs, we never hesitate to provide the support needed. Our school provides Art, Music, Physical Education and Technology programs that give our students the opportunity to strive and reach their greatest potential. 12 yrs. at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Sun Valley SJS, 33 yrs. of service 8 yrs. at St. Rose of Lima, Paso Robles- SJS, 41 yrs. of service Sr. Susana Del Toro At OLG we strive to provide a strong Catholic identity. Through God s grace and the teamwork of our school community, we are able to influence and witness how our children grow in their relationship with God and in knowledge. Check out our website at 5 yrs. at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bakersfield- SJS, 14 yrs. of service

3 THE NEW DIRECTOR OF THE JUAN DIEGO ADULT CENTERS Sr. Adriana Rebeca Zuro, SJS JDAC offer a total of eleven English classes and Citizenship Preparation courses at four different sites: Mater Dei Catholic High School in Chula Vista, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in San Ysidro, St. Rose of Lima in Chula Vista, and St. Charles in Imperial Beach. As Director of JDAC, Sr. Rebeca oversees all operations for all four sites; marketing, scheduling, and reporting. Sr. Rebeca observes and evaluates Instructors and she substitutes teachers when necessary. JDAC provides their students broader educational opportunities that result in better job performance and personal growth, but more than anything, the centers give peace of mind and a sense of security to those pursuing American citizenship. Supporting the Mission and Work of the SJS Your gift supports our mission to Love and Serve, TOGETHER WE ARE LEADERS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Become a Formation Sponsor The largest portion of Formation expenses are for college education and religious preparation. Your donation will ensure the Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrament are ready to continue their mission to Love and Serve! Help an Elderly or Infirm Sister Financially adopt an elderly and/or sick Sister in retirement. You can assist in easing the challenge of high medical costs. The AmazonSmile Foundation provides.5% of donations from most Amazon retailers to a nonprofit such as the Sisters. Google Amazon Smile or call us to guide you through the process. Vehicle Donation Donate a car, boat or other vehicle and receive a tax deduction! One call takes care of everything, even pick-up: (877) Donate online at usasjs.org or return the enclosed envelope. For more information contact Vicki Whitmire Director of Development at All donations will be applied as unrestricted funds unless otherwise requested. Stocks/IRA/Bequests Appreciated Stocks: If held more than a year, you can donate stocks to the Sisters and receive an income tax charitable deduction for the full market value and pay no capital gains tax. Transfer to us can be done easily electronically. Call us for instructions. IRA: The IRA charitable rollover is now permanently allowed by law! If you are 70 ½ or older you can make a direct gift of up to $100,000 to the Sisters without having to recognize the income. Contact your tax professional to learn more. Bequests: You can name the sisters for a specific amount or a percentage of your estate. Be sure to use our legal name, Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, Inc. [Tax ID ] SAVE THE DATE! SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 Join the Fun at our Western BBQ and Barn Dance

4 Sr. Maria Luisa Pelayo Student Maire Lynette Amaya Maire Lynette Amaya is a member of our Youth Ministry club. I admire her for her cheerful and friendly spirit, and most of all for being a young girl that lives her Christian values and shows love and compassion toward her classmates and whoever she comes across. It is a pleasure to be around such a sweet student. Sister Maria Luisa has been with me since I entered OLGA four years ago, I really appreciate our great friendship. It is an honor knowing such a kind, understanding and beautiful person, I really love her! Sr. Marcela Guadalupe De la Pena Student Sergio Saul Alcala Sr. Luz Maria Jimenez Students Cristina Jaramillo-Cordova and Jessica Jaramillo The Jaramillo girls were always dedicated, polite, and lovable students. Their academic accomplishments made them successful adults, both became teachers and Jessica teaches at Mater Dei Catholic High School. I am proud of those little Jaramillo girls who became committed Christian Mothers. Blessed be God! I met Sister Luz Maria 30 years ago when she was principal at OLG Academy in Calexico. She has a warm smile, infectious laugh, and a loving and kind heart. In 8th grade, I relocated to San Diego, where she was the principal at OLMC, and I found comfort and love in her at a time when I felt nervous and scared. Her love and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and our Blessed Mother has instilled in me strong Catholic faith and values. She is now an assistant where my daughter attends Catholic School. It is a blessing to continue this relationship and now share it with the next generation. I feel truly blessed having Sister Luz Maria in my life all these years. - Cristina Sergio is blessed with such a nice faithful family. He is openly sincere, helpful, polite, understanding and fun to be around. I am thankful to God for meeting this family. I pray that all families may find unity and deep faith in our always loving God, especially present in the Blessed Sacrament. I Love Sr. Marcela because she helps in preparing me for my future through practicing my faith. She is always by my side to help me and is very patient and calm everyday. Sr. Aurora Gonzalez Student Matthew Tavarez, St. Sebastian School (Top row, 2nd from the right) Although Sr. Aurora was small in stature, she was tremendous in character, with a huge heart. All this was to the benefit of her students and to all those she came in contact with parents, lay teachers, and the community. May she rest peacefully in the reward that she truly deserves, and may the members of the SJS order be blessed in their endeavors as they serve the Lord. Very Respectfully, Matthew Tavarez, Class of 1976

5 SR. LUZ GABRIELA RIVERA: 50 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE - GOLDEN JUBILEE The Lord said to me, Come and follow me, I looked for him and found him! her to Mass. The experience was beautiful unlike any other. Even though the Mass was the same, something had changed within her. Born in Santa Bárbara Chihuahua, Sr. Luz Gabriela Rivera is one of seven children. At the young age of one, she suffered severe burns on her face from hot water. With no burn specialist in the area, she was taken to another state in Mexico, where she was hospitalized for four years. Due to the long distance, she had few family visits; thus the hospital became her home. There happened to be Sisters in the village looking for new vocations. Sr. Luz Gabriela wondered what was needed to be a religious Sister. She consulted with Msgr. Amezcua, who told her she was unfit for religious life, and had no vocation. When she persisted, he suggested she go see the nuns of San Carlos Borromeo. On November 25, 1966, she professed her vows! Sr. Luz Gabriela came to the United States in 1979 and ministered at Bakersfield, El Centro, San Ysidro, Simi Valley, and El Segundo, teaching Spanish and religious education. She also instructed and supervised the SJS Lay Ecclesial Association of Apostles of the Eucharist groups in Sun Valley. She has artistic talents in music and art. She is best known for a life of courage, faith, and faithfulness to God. When it came time to leave, she suffered severe depression and lost her ability to speak; however, her loving family helped her to regain her speech. At school, she suffered when classmates made fun of her. Again, the love of family gave her strength and courage. At age 19, Sr. Luz Gabriela s life changed when she received the call of God. One morning she woke up and noticed it had snowed, houses full of snow, the street looked like a white carpet, it was beautiful! At that moment, God called me from darkness to light, said Sr. Luz Gabriela. Outside was a devout neighbor who invited greeted her as if she already knew her. Sr. Luz Gabriela was told that the Council in Guadalajara would make the final decision. Much to her surprise, eight days later she was accepted, and she left for Guadalajara the following week. She introduced herself to the Sisters, but was not able to meet their Superior General. She kept visiting them and one day, the nuns told her that the Superior General of the Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrament was in town. Once at the SJS convent, Mother Maria Emilia During my religious life, I have experienced God working in mysterious ways. I am thankful to God for my family and the many graces and blessings I have received. I pray that He may continue to bless our SJS religious family with new vocations, and I would like to tell young people not to be deaf to God s call.

6 Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrament 3173 Winnetka Drive Bonita, CA (619) usasjs.org Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Permit 751 San Diego, CA 50 Years of Superior Catholic Education Vincent Memorial Catholic High School celebrated their 50th Anniversary on April 29, Our SJS Sisters have been leaders in this community since its inception. Sr. Lupita Hernandez has been the current Principal for the last five years. VMCHS believes, as an extension of the teaching Church, it is their responsibility to educate their students so they may reach union with God through the acquisition of truth and through loving relationships in the human community. May God bless you with another 50 years and beyond! Prayer to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception O most Holy Virgin, immaculate in body and spirit, look kindly on me as I Implore your powerful intercession. O most Holy Mother of Jesus and my Mother, receive my prayers and present them to God. I implore you Virgin Mother, please bless the Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrament with many new vocations into their community, allowing them to continue their mission to love and serve. O Mary conceived without sin, Pray for us who have recourse to thee Fr. Silviano, intercede for us. We thank God for our Community Partners National Religious Retirement Office