Sister Mary Anselm Till, IWBS celebrates 75 years

Pictured on the left is Sister Mary Anselm in earlier years and right, in recent years. Contributed Photo

Sister Mary Anselm Till, IWBS celebrated 75 years of profession of vows on Feb. 25 as a Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. “Sister Anselm exemplifies the happiness and commitment of someone ready to follow Jesus and serve others,” Sister Mary Juliane Kuntscher, IWBS, Secretary General for the order, said.

Her parents Adolph Till and Emma Mary Krees Till named her Catherine Pauline when she was born in Corpus Christi on Aug. 23, 1918.

She attended Incarnate Word Academy (IWA) in Corpus Christi and earned a Bachelors degree in education from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on Aug. 2, 1937, and made her first profession of vows on Feb. 25, 1939.

Sister Mary Anselm devoted 53 years of ministry in Catholic education. She taught in elementary schools in Corpus Christi, Alice, Beeville, Kingsville, Goliad, Brownsville and Sinton. During the summer months she taught summer classes at IWA and taught catechesis in Brownsville, Portland, Goliad, Raymondville, Kingsville, Woodsboro and Sinton. She also served as Sister-in-Charge for convents in Alice, Beeville and Kingsville.

“Her life is an example of faithfulness to prayer, community life and family ties, and to church and civic responsibilities,” Sister Mary Juliane said.

Sister Mary Lucy Garcia, IWBS who taught with Sister Mary Anselm when St. Patrick School first opened, said, “Sister Anselm served wholeheartedly, and with great energy and enthusiasm. She loved to do the cooking at St. Patrick Convent, and would allow the other sisters to help only with the salad.”

Sister Mary Anselm’s favorite recreation included card games, jigsaw puzzles, gardening and making jams and jellies with her cooking and gardening friend, Sister Raphael Bartosch.

While working outdoors, Sister Mary Anselm donned her trademark red and white, checkered sunbonnet, with a highly starched wide brim and habitually invoked the intercession of the Blessed Mother into all of her work and activities. She often starts her prayer with “Come on, Blessed Mother…” and advocates singing the Hail Mary to locate lost articles.

Sister Mary Anselm is famous for her ability to remove difficult stains from any material. She turned altar cloths, vestments, flags, tablecloths, napkins and bedding from dingy to snow-white using her recipe of lemon juice, soap and hours of sunshine.

After her retirement in 1985, Sister Mary Anselm continued gardening, rosary making and teaching CCD classes for as long as her health allowed. Prayer ministry throughout her life was very important to her. “Sister’s smile and presence each day gives wonderful witness to the Incarnate Word charism of extending Jesus to others,” Sister Mary Juliane said.

“Now, in her time of waiting for Jesus to call her, Sister Mary Anselm’s expressions and movements still speak volumes, even though she is confined to bed. During the 75 years of her vowed life as a religious, Sister Mary Anselm has brought many blessings to her sisters in community and to those whom she served; now she is served by others who continue to be blessed by her faithful witness to consecrated life, giving her all to Jesus, the Incarnate Word, in the spirit of Mary, his mother,” Sister Mary Juliane said.

Msgr. Seamus McGowan embraces Sister Mary Anselm, his sister in faith. Sister Julian Kuntscher, IWBS	Bishop Michael Mulvey greets Sister Mary Anselm Till, IWBS and Sister Maria Elizabeth Brehony, IWBS outside the chapel of the Incarnate Word of the Blessed Sacrament. Sister Raquel Newman,IWBS