Sister Martha Ann ‘Deeply grateful for God’s many blessings’

Bishop Michael Mulvey congratulates Sister Martha Ann Snapka, IWBS for 60 years of service to the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic

Sister Martha Ann Snapka is celebrating 60 years of dedicated service to the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, to the Church and to her community. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on Aug. 15, 1952, made her first profession of vows on July 31, 1954 and on Aug. 17, 1957 she professed perpetual vows.

She was born Martha Ann to Roman and Sophie Bezdek Snapka in Abbott, Texas. Her parents and family moved to Corpus Christi when Martha Ann was in the first grade. She graduated from Incarnate Word Academy, earned her Bachelor of Arts in social studies from St. Edward’s University in Austin and her Master’s, with certification in counseling and administration, from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.

Sister Martha Ann taught and served as principal in Vattmann, Corpus Christi Cathedral and Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi. She has served in the congregation as a General Council member, worked on various commissions and committees and was elected Superior General in 1976 and reelected in 1980, serving two four-year terms. She currently serves at Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi as Director of Planned Giving.

During her time in office as principal and Superior General she implemented a number of new programs.

As principal of Incarnate Word Academy, Sister Martha Ann was part of the planning and implementation of the transition from an all girls high school to a co-educational venture in 1975. As Superior General she participated in the first International Reunions of Incarnate Word congregations from the United States and Mexico to provide opportunities for collaboration and the sharing of spiritual and educational programs and experiences.

In 1983, Sister Martha Ann initiated the Incarnate Word Justice and Peace Committee, providing means of education and action on social justice issues, policies and systems. With a team of sisters, she organized the Incarnate Word Associates program in Corpus Christi in 1985 and served as its director. The program was designed for adults who were invited to participate in the incarnational charism, spirituality and prayer life of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. This pilot group celebrated their 25th anniversary as Associate members in 2010.

Sister Martha Ann participated in the creation of the Office of President on the Incarnate Word Academy campus and was appointed the first president in 1988. That same year she received the Diocesan Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Catholic Education.

As a member of a governance study group for the congregational schools she was instrumental in the establishment of the Incarnate Word Academy School Board in 1994 to ensure that the Incarnate Word charism and traditions continue as the guiding impetus of the school.

“Sister Martha Ann is an inspiration in so many ways. She has had the ability to focus her energies on our mission and engender in others a real love of the Incarnate Word. For me, she has been a great support and sound advisor. May the Lord give her many more years in his service,” Charles Imbergamo, President and CEO of Incarnate Word Academy, said.

The Pax Christi USA Multicultural Conflict Resolution Project selected Sister Martha Ann–part of a nine-member team–to train members of local communities to resolve conflicts of a racial or multicultural nature. As a mediator for the Nueces County Dispute Resolution Center, she served on the board and gave training classes in Dispute Resolution.

Sister Martha Ann was honored as an educator and one of 10 “Shining Stars in Texas Skies” by the YWCA 2001 Y Women in Careers, and was welcomed into their Hall of Fame.

“I am deeply grateful for God’s many blessings. For my parents who mentored the values of devotion to God and family, honesty and responsibility; for my family members, who have always supported and encouraged me in my vocation; for the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, who believed in me and gave me opportunities for education, training and development in leadership and in personal growth; and for the many co-workers, who worked as a team and dedicated themselves to our mission and ministry.” Sister Martha Ann said.

“As we move forward together into the future, I am inspired and energized by the invitation to be the face of Jesus as witnesses to his warm, loving, compassionate presence to all whom we serve and meet,” she said.