The Valley Catholic February 21, 2017 | Page 6

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February 21 , 2017 | The Valley Catholic

On a Firm Foundation : Legacy – Continuation of a Life Well-Lived

By Mary Quilici Aumack

Executive Director The Catholic Community Foundation

Recently I attended the Memorial Mass for Sister Mary Claude Power , PBVM . Those of you who knew her need no reminder of her strength , will and grace . For those of you who did not have the blessing of knowing her , she was the founding Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of San Jose . She served in that position from 1981- 1999 . In his homily , Bishop McGrath referred to her as one of the Foundresses of our Diocese . He remarked that with Catholic institutions we are very familiar with the term Founder , not so much with FOUNDRESS . She was a mother of our Catholic Community , a stalwart supporter of principals , teachers and students .

The Mass included reflections on Sister Claude ’ s life from her nephew Tim Healy . Also , Tim Brosnan , the principal of Mitty who was hired by

her as the principal at Saint Martin of Tours in 1983 ; and Mary Miller , the principal of Presentation High School and a long time dear friend of Sister Claude .

This is how Tim Brosnan described Sister Claude : A take-charge leader ,

a passionate and brilliant educator , a faith-filled sister who could look death straight in the eye and proclaim with absolute certainty that death is not the end , resurrection is real .

Although it was not without sadness , it was an uplifting liturgy , a tribute not only to Sister Claude , but also to the faith and commitment of all of us . After Mass I commented to Sister Joan Panella who sat next to me ( and taught me English at Notre Dame High School ): I wish some of my friends who are leaning a little away from faith , could have been with us to experience this beautiful and deeply faith-affirming celebration .

My own friendship with Sister

This is how Tim Brosnan described Sister Claude : A take-charge leader , a passionate and brilliant educator , a faithfilled sister who could look death straight in the eye and proclaim with absolute certainty that death is not the end , resurrection is real .

Claude blossomed only in the last year , as we embarked together on a project that was very dear to her . Although I did not have the gift of a multi-decade relationship with her , I am grateful for my glimpse into the wonder of this woman . Tim spoke of her commitment to technology , and how she had taken to texting as her preferred form of communication . When I knew she was ill , I sent a “ snail mail ” note to her . According to Mary Miller , many of you did that was well , and she was moved and grateful . In response to my note , I received a text saying that she was praying for me . SHE was praying for ME . I ’ m not sure I ’ ll ever erase that text .

I talk a lot about legacy . I know that it comes from the Latin for “ ambassador .” More literally , it means carrying a message and set of values into the future .

Saint Peter wrote : “ I shall also make every effort to enable you always to remember these things after my departure .” ( 2 Peter 1:15 )

Sister Claude ’ s legacy will be deep and far reaching . She leaves with us her imprint of education , community , leadership , and love .

May we all strive to create our own legacy , harkening to Sister Claude . May we always remember .

SATURDAY , FEB 25

The Bible Blueprint for the Eucharist

7:30 - 8:30 PM Our Lady of Peace Parish Gym 2800 Mission College Blvd Santa Clara , CA

SUNDAY , FEB 26

Living Life to the Fullest : A Compass for Human Happiness

6:15 - 8:00 PM Queen of Apostles 4911 Moorpark Ave San Jose , CA

Special Presentations by Catholic Answers ’ Apologist Karlo Broussard

FREE ADMISSION ALL ARE WELCOME

Join us for coffee & bagels after the 9am Mass

SUNDAY , FEB 26

Defending Right & Wrong in a Relativistic Culture

10:30 - 11:40 AM Sacred Heart Parish School Gym 13716 Saratoga Ave Saratoga , CA

MONDAY , FEB 27

Science : A Believer ’ s Friend or Foe ?

Reception : 6pm , Event : 6:30-8PM St . William Church 611 S . El Monte Ave Los Altos Hills , CA RSVP : stnicholasandstwilliam . org

For More Information Contact p . delorenzo @ sacredheartsaratoga . org

Rest in peace Sister Sylvia Hamilton , pBVM

Sister Sylvia Hamilton , PBVM , ( baptismal name Antoinette La Verne Hamilton ) died on January 28 at the Presentation Motherhouse in San Francisco . A native of San Francisco , Sister Sylvia was born in 1922 and was a Sister of the Presentation for 77 years .

Sister Sylvia was predeceased by her parents , Sylvia Vallerga and Ralph Anthony Hamilton , her brother Robert , as well as a brother and sister who died in infancy . She now leaves many loving relatives including her sisterin-law , nieces , nephews , cousins and their families , as well as her devoted Presentation Sisters and Associates .

She earned a B . S . from the University of San Francisco ; from 1942 to 1958 she taught in Presentation elementary schools in San Francisco , Berkeley and Gilroy . In 1958 she began nearly 25 years of dedicated and loving ministry at Presentation High School , in San Francisco as a teacher and building manager . As one of her past students recalled , “ Sister Sylvia was an amazing gift to so many of us as shown in her smile , looking after and genuinely loving each of us .”

From 1958 to 1970 she also served as Treasurer for the Sisters of the Presentation , during which time she was

Sister Sylvia Hamilton , pBVM

instrumental in forming the group that would become the National Association of Treasurers of Religious Institutes ( NATRI ). In 1981 Sister Sylvia became the first Director of Development for the Sisters of the Presentation and in 1991 she became the Director of the Presentation Alumnae Association . As such , she was the moderator and guiding spirit of that organization until her retirement in 2003 .

After retirement , Sister Sylvia maintained an active interest in her former students and continued to volunteer her services at the Presentation Motherhouse .

Memorial contributions to the Sisters of the Presentation are preferred . Contributions can be sent to Sisters of the Presentation , Development Office , 281 Masonic Avenue , San Francisco , CA , 94118 .