+ Sister Joan Michele Rake, CDP,

Sister Joan Michele Rake, CDP, entered eternal life Dec. 19 at the age of 87.  She labored 65 years in ministry, including nearly 25 years in the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

“Teaching, formation ministry, giving retreats and 24 years of counseling and spiritual direction have allowed me to try to help others experience God’s Providential love and care,” Sister Joan Michelle said about her 65 years of ministry.

She came to Corpus Christi in 1980, where she offered retreats, spiritual direction and pastoral counseling primarily at the Diocesan Center for Spiritual Direction. She also taught in the Corpus Christi Diocesan Diaconate Program. During 2002-03, she ministered at the Delos Mind-Body Institute.

Born in Beaumont, Texas to Mary M. Sperier and Edwin Richard Rake on July 2, 1925, she was named Gloria Ann at baptism. As a graduate of Fannett High School, she won a scholarship to Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio.  

On Sept. 8, 1945, she entered the Congregation of Divine Providence and professed first vows as a sister on June 21, 1947.

Earning degrees from Our Lady of the Lake College and Indiana’s Notre Dame and Pennsylvania’s Duquesne Universities, she taught at St. Genevieve School in Lafayette, Louisiana, and at St. Mary’s Parochial and Providence High Schools in San Antonio.  She also taught at Duquesne University.

From 1953 through 1965, Sister Joan Michele served in the formation ministry of her Congregation as Directress of Aspirants and later of Novices. She returned to Our Lady of the Lake Convent Center in 2003 where she continued to counsel and offer other community service.

Two nieces and three grandnephews survive Sister Joan Michele.  Preceding her in death were her parents; her sister, Mary Melva Rake; and her brothers, Adam Frederick and Edwin Leon Rake.  

A Rosary was recited Dec. 20, 2012.  A Mass of Resurrection was offered Dec. 21, 2012.  All services were held in Annunciation Chapel at Our Lady of the Lake Convent Center.