Sister Elizabeth Close celebrates golden jubilee

Sister Elizabeth Close, IWBS will observe her golden jubilee on Aug. 7. Sister Elizabeth entered the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on Aug. 7, 1961, and received the religious habit as a novice on June 2, 1962. She professed first vows on Aug. 7, 1964, and perpetual vows on August 7, 1967.

She was born in Dublin, Ireland to the late Dominic Hugh Close and Claire O’Byrne Close. Sister Elizabeth’s initial contact with Incarnate Word Sisters of Corpus Christi took place when she was a seventh grader at Iona National School in Dublin. Sister Kathleen McDonagh and Sister Barbara Cashell gave a vocation talk to the seventh grade class at the school during a visit to their homeland.

She sensed God’s call to serve as a religious sister, and continued to correspond with Sister Kathleen concerning vocation discernment. Later, Sister Rita Brehony–during a home visit to Ireland–assisted her on the last step of her discernment journey.

Sister Elizabeth earned her bachelor’s degree from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio and also received certification in special education and in the Montessori Method, a mode of which she has utilized in teaching at Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi for many years.

A great and memorable experience for Sister Elizabeth was serving in Nakuru, Africa. She says that it was an opportunity for which she had yearned all her life. Sister Elizabeth taught at St. Xavier High School, following the British system of education, ministering to students who reflected a cross-section of the city; Catholics, Protestants, Hindus and Muslims, in grade levels nine through 12, studied at the school.

Sister Elizabeth’s summer ministries included “June Joy,” a catechetical program offered in Kingsville, King Ranch and Ricardo. In the Rio Grande Valley, she conducted retreat programs for youth. She also ministered to migrant farmworkers and their families in Minnesota, facilitating participation during Sunday liturgies, visiting with families in the evening and teaching religion to the children while their parents worked in the fields.

For a period of time, Sister Elizabeth served as an elected member of the Leadership Team. She was Director of Incarnate Word Associates, and worked on numerous commissions and committees of the congregation. She has participated in General Chapters of the Congregation as an elected delegate, and she served as sister-in-charge of the Motherhouse from 1984-1988.

Sister Elizabeth was also appointed to the office of local councilor at the Motherhouse, to assist the sister-in-charge in carrying out the duties of her office. As a member of the Ongoing Formation Committee of the congregation, Sister Elizabeth shares the responsibility of providing opportunities for spiritual, communal and personal growth of the sisters. Presently, her ministry consists of working at Incarnate Word Montessori School, where she teaches children, ranging in ages three to five years.

“During this jubilee year, I reflect on the graciousness of God in blessing me with my family, my community and the parents and children who, throughout the many years as a Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, have touched my life. I cherish each day–to laugh, to love and to sing the praises of my God with my whole being,” Sister Elizabeth said.