By Alfonso Aguilar
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 6/9/05)

"Emotionally, it was a difficult moment, however we will put this farewell in our hearts for good. We felt beloved, respected for what we have done for almost 50 years," said Sister Filomena Gajate, one of the seven nuns of the Congregation of the Servants of St. Joseph in Falls Church.

"Many people were crying, expressing wonderful words of appreciation, remembering the old days, and that made me very happy, although I cried too," said the sister, who arrived in 1958 as did Sister Agustina Temprano, who also serves at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Falls Church. Other nuns have served in other parishes, including St. James in Falls Church and Our Lady of Lourdes in Arlington.

The congregation, which founded and has run St. Joseph Pre-School and Nursery since 1957, decided to conclude their mission in this region. Some nuns will retire and others will continue their religious life in a different venue. Five sisters will return to their country, Spain, and two more will travel to Colombia.

"It was moving to see the way parents and teachers organized the event, with love and attentiveness, and it was very surprising to once again see the first students—those children who crossed our doors a long time ago holding their parents’ hands," said Sister Prudencia Gonzalo, one of the school’s original nuns.

Among those students attending the farewell were Fredricka Stewart and Mary Kane, whom Sister Prudencia did not recognize right away. "Not immediately because I probably saw Fredricka for the last time when she had her first Communion. However, I recognized her mother at first glance and Mary recognized me easily."

"I feel today the same atmosphere, the same love and faith," said Stewart, one of the first three students at the school. "The big difference is today’s diversity, with students from many countries."

According to Sister Prudencia, the school has more that 80 students from 20 countries. From now on, the school will be run by a cooperative formed by parents, who will maintain its Catholic philosophy.

Last weekend’s farewell included prayers, songs, poems, dances, testimonials from former students and teachers, plaques of recognition, and lunch. Dozens of parents, several priests, nuns and deacons attended the event to honor the seven remaining sisters of this congregation.

"With love and gratitude to the Missionary Servants of St. Joseph’s." "Thanks for your love and service." "Good luck. Safe trip." read the farewell program.

"We will miss you at St. James Parish — you have been lectors, Eucharistic ministers and teachers of our children," said Janet Parker, one of the original teachers.

"Three of my sons attended St. Joseph when they were four years old and although they are all now in their 20s, they still remember those days with fondness," said Parker, who highlighted the sisters’ involvement in food distribution programs, Christmas celebrations and in establishing a Spanish Mass at St. James Parish.

One wall of the school will hold the photographs of the seven sisters who served there.

"They are in every way a blessing to our parish," said Father Horace Grinnell, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Falls Church and one of the priests attending the farewell.

The pastor mentioned in particular Sisters Agustina Temprano and Celia del Caño, who for many years have worked in different parish programs, including counseling for women in crisis pregnancies at Mary’s House, food for the homeless at Christ House, processions, posadas and Thanksgiving parties.

"The sisters never stop working. It will be extremely difficult to replace them. It is not only what they do, but how they do it," Father Grinnell said.

The Congregation of the Servants of St. Joseph was founded in 1874 in Spain by Jesuit Father Francisco Butina and Mother Bonifacia Rodríguez Castro. The Missionary Servants of St. Joseph has its Mother House in Spain and maintains schools, hospitals, colleges, orphanages and missions there and in several Latin American countries, the Philippines and the Congo.