Sister Dorothy counts every year of her life a blessing

Sister Dorothy Anhaiser, IWBS is always happy to be of assistance in any project and has enjoyed a full life, experienced many challenges as a teacher, cafeteria manager, librarian and archivist and counts every year of her life a blessing. But, she said the greatest gift for her was serving  as an extraordinairy minister for Holy Communion.

Sister Dorothy was born in Dubina, Texas, the daughter of Anton and Mary Nohovitza Anhaiser. She attended Ss. Cyril and Methodius School in Dubina, staffed by the sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament from Victoria. She left home at age 17 for San Marcos, Texas to learn how to be a machinist and crane operator. From there she moved to Corpus Christi to work for a chemical company. She completed her high school education at Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi. 

Recalling a specific event in her discernment regarding religious life, Sister Dorothy points to her recuperation period following an accident as having played a part. Sister Xavier Holworthy, IWBS of Corpus Christi sent her a note asking, “Why don’t you get off the fence and enter the convent?”

Later, she called Sister Xavier to ask what would it take to be accepted in the convent.  Sister Xavier’s response was, “Good health, reasonable intelligence and a small dowry.” Reflecting on this, she decided to seek admission to the convent, at that time located at Leopard and Carancahua Streets in Corpus Christi.

She entered the convent on Nov. 21, 1944.  At the time of her reception to the novitiate, she received the religious name, Sister James Marie.  She made her first profession on June 1, 1946, and professed perpetual vows June 2, 1949. Later, when given the option, sister chose to return to her baptismal name and became known as Sister Dorothy. Many former students still refer to her as Sister James Marie.

Sister Dorothy attended Del Mar College in Corpus Christi and Texas A&I University in Kingsville. She earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio and a master’s degree in education from Texas Women’s University in Denton. She did post-graduate work in theology at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.

As a teacher, Sister Dorothy worked in many different schools on various academic levels.  She taught in Sacred Heart, St. Theresa and Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi; Sacred Heart in Sinton; Santa Rosa de Lima in Benavides; Our Lady Star of the Sea in Port Isabel; and at Incarnate Word Academy and Villa Maria High School in Brownsville. Assignments in religious education programs included the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi and the parishes of St. Anthony in Violet and St. Mary’s and Christ the King in Brownsville.

She also served as a sacristan, a school librarian and a cafeteria manager. In Brownsville, she introduced computerization of library materials at Villa Maria Academy. As cafeteria manager, she developed a policy, which offered free and reduced-price meals for children in need of that service.
 
Involvement in her religious community included positions such as sister-in-charge at the convent and local councilor and membership on commissions and committees, as well as being a general chapter delegate. 

In 1998, sister received an award in the Diocese of Brownsville for exceptional service to Catholic Schools. On May 3, 2011, the Nueces County Historical Society awarded her the Daniel Kilgore Local History Award for her work as archivist for the congregation.

Sister served as a member on the executive board of the Council of Institutes of Consecrated Life in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Dear to her heart is the work of Sara Merdes Judd of Corpus Christi, who devoted much time and effort in helping the poor in Guatemala. Sister Dorothy traveled with Judd to Guatemala where missionaries worked and was deeply touched by the experience. She then devoted her energy to support this project.

“Sister Dorothy’s love for God and people, her fidelity and her joyful spirit, have touched many persons over the years,” said Sister Judith Marie Saenz, her friend, fellow community member and former co-teacher. “Reaching out to lend a helping hand in a variety of situations has animated her generosity, creativity and tireless response to be the face of Jesus for others, and her sense of hospitality continue to guide her fidelity to Jesus, the Incarnate Word, as life unfolds each day.”