A
few years ago I conducted a short interview with our beloved Sr. Juanita. We share that with you here and want to thank
Sr. Juanita Albracht for her firm commitment for social justice, peace, and her
impulse to care for God’s creation.
Love and generosity have been part
of her life for as long as she can remember.
Her father, Cyril Joseph Albracht, helped anyone who was in need, which
is where she learned generosity. Her
eyes light up and with a kind gesture she shares that her mother, Mrs. Mary Schaefer,
was a woman of strong faith and trust in God. “I learned a lot from my
parents. They were so generous. It comes naturally to me because it has always
been part of my life.”
She attended catholic schools in San
Antonio and from that experience thought that she might be called to Religious
Life. However, Sr. Juanita shares how during her
youth she changed her mind, but since God is God she eventually accepted
becoming a vowed religious.
Her youth, joy, and various gifts
(such as playing piano, reading music, drawing and painting, etc.) were freely given
up to the service of God, however they were most needed. I asked her, “Why did you become a sister?” She answered me, “I felt called, and needed
to respond. So I responded by becoming a
Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word.
This generosity I inherited from my parents was a great resource in my
life.”
Sr. Juanita studied nursing,
psychology, and received a masters in hospital administration. These studies allowed for this loving and
simple religious woman to work in various institutions, as well as be elected
to leadership within the Congregation for various responsibilities.
After finishing her leadership terms
in the governance of the Congregation, Juanita requested to go to Peru as a
missionary sister, specifically to Chimbote.
So in 1997 she arrived in Chimbote to direct the Santa Clara clinic, now
the Health System Clinic of the Incarnate Word.
“Why Chimbote?” “When I was serving
in leadership for the Congregation I had the opportunity to come to Chimbote to
visit our religious communities there.
The people had a big impact on me.
Their way of relating their simplicity spoke to me of love. These are two basic things needed to
survive. I wanted to return, and two
years after that visit I was able to return to Peru.”
Juanita, looking at me intently and
lovingly, shared with me that one of the most significant experiences she had
in Chimbote was encountering the Peruvian culture, customs, and language. “It
has been a Gospel experience, like when Nicodemus was invited to be born
again. I had to be born again as an
adult, learning a new way to speak, walk … just like a child.”
The radiant and optimistic Juanita
explained that being in Chimbote has brought her great joy, but it makes her
sad that various state institutions in the country do not offer good
service. “The majority of public
establishments are found centered in Lima.
This centralization is a mistake.
I am happy with the process of de-centralization, and I hope that it is
successful.
So it was with a profound and
enthusiastic look that Sr. Juanita invited us to learn about the work of Hospice
in the Incarnate Word Health System.
Hospice is a center in Chimbote that attends to people diagnosed with
terminal illness, bringing them physical, psychological, and spiritual relief. Besides that, as an institution they don’t
only care for the one who is sick, but also for their family. An “integral care” is emphasized.
Through her work, Sr. Juanita is
well known among the streets of Aviacion, Camino Real, and Antenor Orrego,
because each morning she walks these paths in order to arrive at her beloved
Hospice. Walking to work, Juanita shared
with me that she prays her rosary, asking God to end the poverty in Chimbote,
so that every person can realize their gifts and embrace their power to change
things.
“My dream as a sister is that more
women respond without fear or delay to the call of God. Our society is in need of women religious who
animate and motivate others so that all can live in freedom. I dream of more hospices in Peru, since
living with dignity until your final moments of life is a right that everyone
has,” shared Sr. Juanita. Standing up and
giving me a big hug, she said her goodbyes sharing that the biggest lesson she
has learned has been to just fully live each day.
In February of 2015, Sr. Juanita
returned to her native homeland, and her Peruvian home and friends continue to
miss her. However, she is always
present, in the simplicity she characterizes.
Thank you sister for your life of giving, commitment, and generosity
which makes real a visible sign of the presence of God in our lives. In your giving, you teach us to give. Your prophetic witness and passion for the
reign of God enriches the earth.
Currently, Sr. Juanita continues her
commitment to the most vulnerable as liaison for Justice, Peace, and Integrity
of Creation for the Sisters in The Village of Incarnate Word in San Antonio,
TX.
(written by Sr. Katty Huanuco, CCVI)
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