Sister William Francis Garcia

After 50 years of teaching in Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Sister William Francis Garcia, Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, will retire from teaching at the end of the 2000-2001 school year.  A retirement celebration in her honor will be held at the Dougherty Center on the Incarnate Word Campus on May 20, 2001, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.  The public is invited to attend this celebration. 

Sister William Francis was born Maria Teresa Garcia in Harlingen, Texas.  Her parents, now deceased, were Cecilio Garcia and Silvina Vela Garcia.   Three of her brothers continue to live in Harlingen: Francisco V. Garcia, Gilberto Garcia, and Jose E. Garcia.  Her early years were spent in Harlingen, where she was very active at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish.  As a child, she took piano lessons from Sister Ernestine, R.S.M., and demonstrated an unusual talent for music.  Sister Ernestine introduced Maria Teresa to the organ as well as to the piano, and while still quite young, she began to play the organ in the parish church.  This she continued to do for many years.  At the time of her entering the convent, her pastor, Father F. Decker, O.M.I., wrote: “It will be extremely difficult for me to replace her many services here in the parish, but we will gladly make the sacrifice so that she may enter religious life.” 

Maria Teresa entered Incarnate Word Convent, Corpus Christi, on December 8, 1949.  She began her novitiate on July 29, 1950, and at that time, received the religious name of Sister William Francis.  She made her first profession of vows July 31, 1951 and  professed perpetual vows July 31, 1954.  She celebrated her Silver Jubilee of Profession in 1976 and her Golden Jubilee on April 21, 2001. 

Sister William Francis studied at the University of the Incarnate Word (then Incarnate Word College) in San Antonio, and earned her bachelor's degree in music with a concentration in organ.   She also earned an elementary school Teacher’s Certificate from the State of Texas.  Over the years, she has continued to update herself by attending various workshops and inservices and by annual attendance at the National Catholic Educational Conference. 

Her 50 years of ministry included teaching at Incarnate Word Academy, Corpus Christi Cathedral School, and St. Patrick School, Corpus Christi. During the summers, Sister gave of her all-too-brief respite from school to tutor children who needed extra help in their studies.  Recognized for her competence, professionalism, dedication and selfless giving, Sister William Francis was named as Catholic School Teacher of the Year at the annual Diocesan Educators' Conference in 1990.  Those who nominated her recognized her ability to impart the “timeless and priceless lessons of love and respect and discipline,” her skill “in stimulating and motivating her students by combining fun and challenge in the learning process,” her dedication in “teaching by deed as well as textbook facts,” and “her enthusiasm which inspires those around her to give that extra little bit which spells success.”   At the time of her award, one of her little students wrote to her:  “You teach good and you are good too.”  In the February 4, 2001 issue of the bulletin of Saint Pius X Church, Msgr. Richard Shirley, Vicar General of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, mentioned Sister William Francis as a teacher in the Cathedral School whose classroom management awed him.   At the Corpus Christi Diocesan Ministries Day in 1991, Sister was recognized for 40 years of service to Catholic education in Corpus Christi and in 2001, she received similar recognition for 50 years of service. 

For many years, Sister William Francis served as organist at Incarnate Word Convent, part time organist at Corpus Christi Cathedral, and occasional organist for weddings and special occasions.  She also gave private organ and piano lessons.

Reflecting back on her fifty years of service as a religious, Catholic School teacher, and musician, Sister William Francis says: