Sister Mary Anne Pagano, IWBS had varied experience before entering religious life

Sister Mary Anne Pagano observed her 25th anniversary in religious life on Jan. 23, 1988 when she made her first profession of vows. On Oct. 17, 1992 she made her perpetual profession of vows.

Baptized Mary Anne, Sister Mary Anne was born Jan. 24, 1948 in Corpus Christi to Vincent Richard Pagano and Henrietta Roddy Pagano Newbury. Sister Mary Anne received her elementary education at Cathedral and St. Patrick schools. 

She graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, and after serving in various capacities, she entered the Congregation of Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on Feb. 11, 1986.  In August of that same year, she began her year of novitiate. 

Sister Mary Anne believes that a Cursillo experience helped her respond to her call to religious life. She admits that the call to religious life surfaced on and off for many years, until she finally considered the possibility of responding positively to that call.
“I felt something missing in my life. I had everything I wanted, but deep down I was not satisfied,” she said. “Having entered the convent, I found that serving and loving Christ was most fulfilling.”

She met with the vocation director, spent a day in recollection and prayer, and obtained an application for entry into the Incarnate Word Congregation. Her decision to enter the convent brought her and her family much happiness.

Church music ministry and service began for Sister Mary Anne when she became organist at St. Pius X Parish in 1963, at which time liturgy was celebrated at the Knights of Columbus Hall.  Later she served as organist at the Naval Air Station’s Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Chapel in Corpus Christi.

During this time she trained as a medical transcriptionist at Spohn Hospital. In 1969, she moved to Houston and held the position of organist for St. Anne’s Parish. She worked for M. D. Anderson, Methodist and Twelve Oaks hospitals while she resided in Houston.

Other areas in which she served before entering religious life were with Bexar County Hospital, at Lackland AFB and St. Vincent de Paul Parish in San Antonio. She also served with the Small Business Administration in Corpus Christi, St. Paul the Apostle parish, Memorial Medical Center, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, Corpus Christi Cathedral and Christ the King parishes, and finally back to St. Pius X Church as organist.

Sister Mary Anne has been a member of the “American Guild of Organists” and of the “Sparkling City Chapter of Sweet Adelines” of which her mother was a longtime member. She has taught religious education at Holy Cross Parish in Corpus Christi, and plays the organ at weddings and Sunday liturgies at various parishes.

Sister Mary Anne also directed the children’s choir at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish. She has served as motherhouse receptionist, driver and organist for convent and school. She has served on various committees of the congregation and as a delegate to the General Chapter.

Her hobbies include needlepoint, oil painting, cross stitching, music and playing the accordion, guitar and piano.