With sadness but profound gratitude to God our Good Shepherd and Master, we announce the passing of Sr. Mary Carmelita Cruz, RGS yesterday in Maria Droste Infirmary community in Quezon City after 51 years in religious life. She was 82 years old.
Sr. Carm was still talking to her doctor when she closed her eyes and went into coma. Her CT scan showed that she had a stroke. Her wish was to die in the convent.
She has been in the administration of the province for many years and later was appointed as Province Leader. But in 1992, she responded to a call within her call - to minister to the indigenous community of Aetas in San Felipe, Zambales who were displaced during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. She has been supporting their education ever since. "There were scholars that are now teaching in the elementary school there. I can’t give that up, as long as I have the strength."
In an interview in 2016, she recalled:
I remember before I entered, I wanted to do so many things. I have a degree in statistics from University of the Philippines, I have a fantastic work in the Department of Labor, I was happy with my family, my work. And I did not want to leave that kind of life because that meant stepping out of my comfort zone. But I was restless.
My friends asked, "Why the Good Shepherd sisters?" I told them I don’t know why I chose the Good Shepherd sisters. I also asked God the same question! On the day of our entrance, we were led to the parlor of the present Provincialate. We were given each our postulant's dress together with our shoes and stockings. These were all placed on a chair. As soon as I sat down to put on my stockings, all my hesitancy disappeared and suddenly, I felt peace within me. A sense of belonging to the Good Shepherd congregation overwhelmed me. From that moment on, through good times and bad times, I never had any doubt about my vocation.
Jesus, Good Shepherd, thank you for calling Sr. Carm to share her life as she did. Your love brought her to us, in love we offer her back to Your loving arms.
Evening Prayer (vespers) according to the Office for the Dead today at 5PM. Votive Masses will be held on October 26 (1PM and 8PM) and October 27 (6:30AM). Mass of the Resurrection will be on October 27 at 3PM in the Good Shepherd Chapel, 1043 Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City followed by inurnment of her cremains at the columbary.