Sister Martha O'Gara

Sister Martha O'Gara, assistant to the Superior General, has had fifty years of varied and creative experiences since her first profession of vows. A graduate of Incarnate Word Acadmey, she earned a B.A. in English from St. Edward's University and a Master's degree with certification in administration from Texas A&I, Kingsville.

She taught in Vattmann, Brownsville, Kingsville, and Corpus Christi on both the elementary and secondary level. She served as principal at St. Patrick, Incarnate Word Elementary in both Brownsville and Corpus Christi, and at Incarnate Word Academy secondary level in Corpus Christi.

Sister Martha served in the general administration of the congregation as councilor for eight years before she was elected Superior General in 1984, serving two four-year terms.

After her sabbatical in England in 1992, she generously agreed to teach at St. Xavier High School in Kenya, East Africa. During her time there she and Sister Elizabeth Close hosted the U.S. Superiors of Incarnate Word Sisters who visited the mission before going on to Rome for the Superiors Conference.

Her involvement in organizations over the years has enriched her life: Catholic Education associations; Leadership Conference of Women Religious; Diocesan Sisters' Councils in Brownsville and Corpus Christi; the Joint Committee of Major Superiors and Bishops of Texas; Diocesan Area School Board, Synod, and Mediation Committee; Nueces County Dispute Resolution Center, Metro Ministries Board; and Development and Advisory Boards for the congregation's schools.

Her involvement in congregational activities include serving as local superior in Brownsville and Corpus Christi, membership in formation, public relations, community life commissions, and constitution revision committee. During her time as Superior General, she challenged the community to become women empowered by the Spirit, to evaluate ministry and set priorities, to continue collaborative efforts with the Church and society, and to increase global awareness. Her election to leadership once again has her involved in those same challenges.

She currently serves as assistant principal at Incarnate Word Academy and enjoys her mediation work with students.