Sister Emma Marie Stillman celebrates golden jubilee

As a teenager, Sister Emma Marie Stillman, a member of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, dreamt of providing for the needs of the poor as an attorney, but Father Alvin Tengler, Vocation Director for the Diocese of Corpus Christi broadened her idea when he asked, "So, what’s keeping you from being a Sister?" Fifty years later she is observing her golden jubilee in religious life.

"At a retreat at Incarnate Word Convent, I discovered a group of sisters who worked to share spiritual riches which give life forever to all in need. They not only taught God’s Word, but were striving to become extensions of the Person, the Word. I realized my calling to become an Incarnate Word Sister and I said, ‘aquí me quedo—this is my home’,” Sister Emma Marie said.

Sister Emma Marie was born in Alice, Texas to Alfredo G. and Emma Ramirez Stillman. She grew up in Corpus Christi with three siblings, Robert, Viola and Norma. Her parents made many sacrifices to send their children to Catholic schools. Sister Emma Marie received her elementary education at Corpus Christi Cathedral, Christ the King and Ss. Cyril and Methodius schools.

After graduating from Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on Sept. 7, 1962, professed first vows on June 5, 1965 and made perpetual profession on Aug. 2, 1969.

Sister Emma Marie pursued higher education, earning three university degrees, from Our Lady of the Lake University and St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, and was certified with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. She specialized in Spanish, German, counseling and spirituality.

Her first ministry assignment was to teach at St. Pius X in Corpus Christi. Other areas of ministry included teaching at Villa Maria High School in Brownsville, Incarnate Word High School in Corpus Christi and St. Gertrude School in Kingsville. She later served as coordinator of CCD in Kingsville and in Alice. Sister Emma also served as a counselor at the Texas A&I University Catholic Center.

In Brownsville, Sister Emma Marie was Pastoral Assistant at St. Luke Parish and later coordinator of retreat ministry at the Incarnate Word House of Prayer. Sister Emma Marie served for many years as consultant for Charismatic Renewal groups and conducted retreats in English and Spanish for a variety of groups.

She served as consultant to "Couples for Christ and Handmaids," and assessor for "Movimiento Familiar Cristiano."

“When there was a need for a bilingual radio and TV writer and producer of inspirational programs, I said ‘yes’ and went on to learn how,” Sister Emma said.

After Clinical Pastoral Education training in Houston and Corpus Christi, she served as a Diocesan Hospital Chaplain at Edinburg Regional Hospital, where she worked for several years.

In 2007, Sister Emma Marie assumed the office of Director of Spiritual Development at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan and now serves in Adult Spiritual Development and Pastoral Counseling at Holy Spirit Parish in McAllen, Texas. Currently, she and a colleague conduct a course, in English and Spanish, “Healing the Eight Stages of Life through the Mysteries of the Rosary.”

Sister Emma Marie has ministered to and influenced many people in the Rio Grande Valley. As a Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, she was, for a time, liaison between the congregation and the Incarnate Word Associates of the Upper Valley.

“Together with my Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, I am grateful for many opportunities to be a creative evangelizer as the Lord has called me to meet many needs. I am excited to think of what the Lord has for us in the future,” Sister Emma Marie said.