Comments on Intentional Disciples: Requiescat in Pace

Sister Renilda was the first Nun I ever knew. I w...

2009-07-09T22:49:53.945-06:00

Sister Renilda was the first Nun I ever knew. I was sent to the Albertinum, a boarding school in Ukiah, CA. I came from a virulently anti-Catholic background, and was terrified at the prospect of being with Catholic Nuns.

This was Siste Renilda's first year of teaching. She was sunny, hummed or sang softly as she walked, and seemed to just be happy. She was the first religious person I had ever known that seems to be happy.

Because of her example, I decided to become a Catholic. It was some 4 years later before I was actually baptised, and I had long been away from the Albertinum.

I kept trying to find out which Dominican community she was from. Finally, in 1997, I found her, and was able to tell her that it was her influence that brought me to the faith.

She had always considered her first year of teaching as being a total failure. She said that I was the only student she had ever heard from, from that first year, and how much it meant to her to discover that she had such an influence.

We maintained a casual correspondence over the years. She was a very special person, and I pray every day for her.

I also still sing Gregorian Chant, which she taught me to do.

Sister Renilda, by beinf who she was, brought me (and I am sure others) into the church, something that I will always be grateful for.

Lovely tribute, Fr. Mike.I just can't believe it. ...

2008-11-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

Lovely tribute, Fr. Mike.

I just can't believe it. So sudden; such a devastating loss for everyone who basked in Jesus' love as reflected in Sr. Renilde. That smile...radiant, electric. That was God smiling on us. I had always thought that if we had tried try hanging a small outlet around her neck like a pendant we might have been able to plug lamps in and have them also glow with The Light of the World.

We have truly lost a saint on Earth but we have GAINED one in Heaven. Certainly we will pray for Renilde, as that is our tradition. That prayer heals us in its giving. But there is really no need. She closed her eyes on this side and opened her eyes on that side. I do believe that the two sides are as close as the two sides of a coin. May SHE pray for US. And may we always remember...that smile.

Thank You, Sr. Renilde, for shining on us.

Thank you,Fr. Mike, for the beautiful tribute to o...

2008-11-16T14:15:00.002-07:00

Thank you,Fr. Mike, for the beautiful tribute to our Sister of Desserts... We all teased her about her sweet tooth!!- Her acts of love and kindness to those with less, to the homeless and those wandering in the desert were mirrors of her heart. What a wonderful model of love for us and especially for the students now involved in Social Justice because of her here at U of A Newman Center.
Rosalie

Thank you,Fr. Mike, for the beautiful tribute to o...

2008-11-16T14:15:00.001-07:00

Thank you,Fr. Mike, for the beautiful tribute to o...

2008-11-16T14:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Father Mike, for sharing such beautiful...

2008-11-14T21:14:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Father Mike, for sharing such beautiful words in honor of our dear Sister Renilde. She truly exemplified Christ, in every word she spoke and every deed she selflessly performed. I feel so blessed to have shared some very special moments with Sister, in which her spiritual direction helped me to grow closer to Jesus. What a gift! Though I am heartbroken that she is no longer with us, I know that she will never be forgotten and will continue to serve as the shining light of Christ in our lives. May the peace of Christ be with her soul and be with all those who mourn this incredible person.

Sr. Renilde will always have a place in each of ou...

2008-11-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

Sr. Renilde will always have a place in each of our hearts. She has a placed locked in mine. My prayers continue for all who knew and loved her, especially for Sr. Diane, Father Bart and the entire Dominican and Newman Center family.
Thanks Father Mike for your wonderful comments and the great picture of Sr. Renilde. We will always remember her smile.

Juliette

Fr. Mike,We were brought to tears this morning whe...

2008-11-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

Fr. Mike,

We were brought to tears this morning when we read the news of Sister's passing. We pray for Sister Renilde and the Domnican community in Tucson. We missed her so many times since leaving Tucson.

James, Monique, Emma and Claire Blakeley

Very well and prayerfully said, Fr. Mike. I was h...

2008-11-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

Very well and prayerfully said, Fr. Mike. I was heartbroken after visiting Sr. Renilde in her room last Friday evening and prayed that the Lord give us the strength to accept His will. I prayed especially for Sr. Diane, Margaret Kish and Fr. Bart. God Bless you all.

Julieta

all the love and prayers for our dear Sr.always, -...

2008-11-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

all the love and prayers for our dear Sr.
always, -the youngest Cesnik

The blogs I frequent are filled with requests for ...

2008-11-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

The blogs I frequent are filled with requests for prayers and sadly, I don't always respond. Yesterday when I scanned your post, I knew I had to pray for Sister. Now that I see Sister Rinelde's merry eyes and glowing smile I realize how privileged I was to do so. In this month of Holy Souls, I'll continue to do so.
I'm praying for Pat too.
Judy

Words cannot express the beauty of Renilde's prese...

2008-11-14T09:11:00.000-07:00

Words cannot express the beauty of Renilde's presence, and the graces for which she was the most willing conduit, within our Tucson community these past years nor the loss that is felt at her leaving us.

But you came close, Fr. Mike. Thank you. We join you in prayer.

Peace and prayers for Renilde and for all those wh...

2008-11-14T00:21:00.000-07:00

Peace and prayers for Renilde and for all those whose lives she touched.

Lovely my dear Friar, and ever so true. Godspeed ...

2008-11-13T21:39:00.000-07:00

Lovely my dear Friar, and ever so true. Godspeed to our dear Sister Renilde.

Anna