Religious life was a sisterly way

Sister Maria Elizabeth Brehony attributes vocation to the grace of God and her family.

“Religion was always part of the rhythm of our home,” Sister Maria Elizabeth Brehony, said as she entered her 60th year in consecrated life on April 18.

Sister Maria Elizabeth was born in County Sligo, Ireland, on April 16, 1935 to John Brehony and Catherine Anne Mc Donagh Brehony. As a supplement to her basic education and training at home, she attended elementary and secondary school staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. She was also involved in apostolic work with the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary.

One of four Brehony sisters to embrace religious life, Sister Maria Elizabeth entered the Incarnate Word Congregation, traveling by ship to the United States on July 18, 1951. She made first profession of vows on April 18, 1953, and perpetual profession on June 4, 1956.

Her mother often spoke of religious vocation in conversations with her children. Sister Maria Elizabeth’s aunts, who were Incarnate Word sisters, and her siblings, Sisters Catherine and Rita, were also instrumental in her decision to seek admission to the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Congregation. Her younger sister, Sister Colette, followed her one-year later to Corpus Christi.

Having completed the initial stages of religious life, Sister Maria Elizabeth earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Edward’s University in Austin, a master’s degree in Latin American History from Texas A&I University in Kingsville and a second master’s degree from Corpus Christi State University in counseling. She is certified in administration, and she studied theology courses at St. Mary’s and Incarnate Word Universities in San Antonio.

For a number of years, Sister Maria Elizabeth taught in parochial and private schools, her ministry included work at Incarnate Word Academy, Sacred Heart, Christ the King and St. Theresa Schools in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. In Brownsville, she taught at Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Incarnate Word Academy and Villa Maria High School. She served also in Port Isabel, Goliad and Sinton. Sister Maria Elizabeth served as principal for 23 years in various schools.

From 1994-97, Sister Maria Elizabeth conducted religious education classes and shared administrative duties at Xavier High School in Kenya, East Africa. “The country and people are so beautiful, yet they are surrounded by poverty; they live so simply,” Sister Maria Elizabeth said. “They are always willing to wait–for transportation, food or medical help. They are such giving people, always ready to share their talents, their time and their resources, no matter what little they possess.”

More recently Sister Maria Elizabeth’s ministry led her to Sacred Heart School in Rockport for four years. When she came to Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, she first served as assistant librarian, and presently, she assists with religious instruction at the Incarnate Word Academy Atrium, directing elementary and Montessori students in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Other ministerial experiences in which Sister Maria Elizabeth has engaged include the Pax Christi Peace Movement, home visiting, jail ministry, mediation at the Dispute Resolution Center and participation in the Diocesan Synod. In the Incarnate Word Congregation, Sister Maria Elizabeth is a member of the Initial Formation Team; she has been local councilor and sister-in-charge in houses of the congregation, a member of commissions and committees and a delegate during general chapters.

Each phase of ministry offered its own challenges and left its particular mark for Sister Maria Elizabeth.

“I have been enriched and blessed abundantly during my years in religious life. I feel that I have always received much more than I have given,” she said.