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On Sunday, four Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament celebrated the anniversaries of their religious professions at a 2 p.m. Eucharistic Liturgy with Bishop David Fellhauer presiding. Many clergy members, religious, family and friends were present to rejoice with the Jubilarians. Those celebrating jubilees were: 75 years – Sister Constance Kapitza, and 70 years – Sister Jeanne de Matel Hayden, Sister Annunciata Shumbera and Sister Callista Mares. These Sisters have contributed to the spiritual well-being and literacy of their brothers and sisters in Christ through faithful service to the Church in ministries of education, administration and pastoral services.

Sister Constance Kapitza is the daughter of the late Frank and Anna (Nieschwietz) Kapitza of Falls City. The family came to Texas from Borisch Germany where Sister Constance, two brothers and a sister were born. Another brother was born in the United States. Sister Constance received her grammar schooling in Germany and Holy Trinity School in Falls City. She was a graduate of Nazareth Academy. Sister Constance received the habit of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on August 17, 1932, and made her profession of vows on August 19, 1933. She received her BA degree with a major in English and a minor in Spanish from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.

During the 75 years of her religious profession, Sister Constance taught on the elementary, junior high and secondary levels at Holy Trinity School in Duquesne, P.A., St. Jerome School in Plum, Sacred Heart School in La Grange, St. Ludmila Academy in Shiner, St. Boniface School in Hobson, St. Michael School in Weimar, Holy Cross School in Bay City, Nazareth Academy in Victoria, Sacred Heart School in Floresville, Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio, Sacred Heart School in Hallettsville, St. Agnes School in San Antonio, St. Patrick School in Dallas, and St. John School in San Antonio.

When Sister Constance retired from active ministry in education in 1987, she served the Congregation as Portress, cared for visitors and participated in general household duties at Incarnate Word Convent. She also reveled in the beauty of the birds and flowers that she tended when able. Sister has resided in the Congregation’s Retirement Center/Infirmary for the last nine years participating in the apostolate of prayer and suffering.

Sister Jeanne de Matel Hayden is the daughter of the late Robert Joseph and Emma Caroline (Nocker) Hayden of San Antonio. The family had four children, three girls and one boy. Sister Jeanne de Matel completed the grammar grades at St. Leo’s Elementary School and her high school at Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio. She received the habit of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on June 10, 1937, and made her first profession of vows on June 11, 1938. Sister received her BA degree with a major in English and a minor in Spanish and her MA degree with a major in Education and a minor in history from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio.

During the 70 years of her religious profession, Sister Jeanne de Matel taught on the elementary and junior high levels at Sacred Heart School in Hallettsville, St. Leo School and Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio, St. Mary School in Praha, Holy Cross School in Bay City, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in Ganado, St. Michael School in Weimar, Sacred Heart School in Crosby, and Holy Cross School in East Bernard. Sister Jeanne de Matel also served 15 years as principal in four of the schools.

When Sister Jeanne de Matel retired from full-time classroom duty, she served the Congregation as an assistant to the Treasurer General. She also used her “green thumb” by tending the many plants and flowers used to enhance the beauty of the Chapel and the living quarters of the Sisters at Incarnate Word Convent. She also made rosaries for the missions. Sister now resides in the Congregation’s Infirmary where she participates in the apostolate of prayer and suffering.

Sister Annunciata Shumbera is the daughter of the late John and Frances (Macha) Shumbera of Weimar. She was the sixth of six children, four girls and two boys. Sister Annunciata completed her grammar grades at Bois D’Arc School and St. Michael School in Weimar and high school at Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio. She received the habit of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on June 10, 1937 and made first profession on June 11, 1938. Sister received her BA degree with a major in English and a minor in Spanish from Incarnate Word College and her M. Ed. with a major in education and a minor in library science from Our Lady of the Lake College University in San Antonio.

During the 70 years of her religious profession Sister Annunciata taught on the elementary, junior high and high school levels at Sacred Heart School in Hallettsville, St. Leo School , St. Agnes School and Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio, Nazareth Academy in Victoria, St. Michael School in Cuero, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Selma, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Houston. Sister Annunciata also served as principal and librarian in some of the schools. She assisted the Diocese of Victoria by volunteering in the library.

Sister Annunciata has remained active in school volunteer work and will continue her ministry at Holy Cross School in Bay City this coming school year.

Sister Callista Mares is the daughter of the late Cyril and Augusta (Otahal) Mares of Cistern. She was one of seven children, two girls and five boys. Sister Callista completed elementary grades at St. Wencelaus School in Cistern and high school at Nazareth Academy in Victoria. Sister Callista received the habit of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on December 18, 1937 and made first profession of vows on December 19, 1938. She received her BA degree with a major in history and a minor in philosophy from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio.

During the 70 years of her religious profession, Sister Callista taught on the primary, elementary and junior high levels at Sacred Heart School in Hallettsville, Nazareth Academy in Victoria, Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio, Ammannsville Public School in Ammannsville, Sealy Public School in Sealy, Falls City Public School in Falls City and St. Ludmila Academy in Shiner.

When Sister Callista retired from full-time classroom duty in 1985, she remained active with assisting in the infirmary, serving as sacristan for the main chapel and participating in household duties at Incarnate Word Convent. During some of these years she also visited nursing homes in the area. Sister Callista has also made items for the Arts and Crafts sales with her crocheting and needlepoint and loves to put jigsaw puzzles together. She resides in the infirmary and ministers in the apostolate of prayer and suffering.