†Sister Lupe Silva, OP

“Gracias a Dios” were words heard every day in the Silva home. “Thanks be to God in times of joy and sorrow, in all of life.”

These words sustained Guadalupe in all the many and full years of challenge and joy. She was born November 19, 1928, the 15th child of Lucio and Brunita Perez Silva. Her parents celebrated 73 years of marriage before Brunita’s death in 1976 (at 91years) and Lucio’s in 1982 (at 98 years). Both parents were born in Calvillo, Aguascalientes, Mexico, and migrated to the United States in 1925. After years laboring in the fields of Michigan, the family settled in Merrill, Michigan, where Guadalupe, or Lupe as she was called, was born. Four of her siblings had died before she was born. From her mother and father, she inherited a charming demeanor, love of honest work, and unshakable faith in God.

Lupe and two older brothers attended Sacred Heart school in Merrill where she met the Grand Rapids Dominicans. She found the Sisters to be prayerful, welcoming, and supportive. The combined example of parents and family where hospitality, service, and prayer were practiced daily, plus the care and concern of the sisters, led Lupe to listen and respond to a call to religious life. She left home for Marywood on September 8, 1946. At reception, she took the name of Sister Raphael, which she kept until after Vatican II when she chose to return to her baptismal name. She earned a BA at Aquinas College and furthered her academic work at the Summer Institute of Theology in Saginaw.

Over the next twenty-three years, Sister Lupe taught in early elementary grades at St. John, Essexville; St. Andrew, Grand Rapids; St. Joseph, Pewamo; St. Michael, Suttons Bay; Our Lady, Chesaning; and St. Joseph, Saginaw. She enjoyed teaching although the class sizes were often as high as 58-60. At times she was also principal or religious education director.

In 1972, Sister Lupe began a lengthy tenure at St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw, with its multi-cultural population. This proved both a challenge and an opportunity. She felt that she had a particular call and an ability to respond to Hispanic people because of her Mexican heritage, culture, and values. There she served in a newly formed program for Hispanic leadership formation and religious education. In 1976 with Father Federico Loos, she founded the Hispanic Lay Ministry Formation Program with a three-fold approach of study, prayer, and service.

This program became a national model. After six years in this position, she became Pastoral Minister for Hispanic people of three Michigan parishes in Alma, Ithaca, and St. Louis. Her ministry of presence included visits to family homes, jails, hospitals, and rest homes, listening to others and celebrating with them. She was also Associate Vicar for Hispanics of the Diocese of Saginaw. Bishop Kenneth Untener, recognizing her competence, named her Vicar for Hispanics, the first woman and Hispanic to serve in this position.

In 1988, Sister Lupe received an assignment to serve the Hispanic Apostolate in Holland, Michigan, as Pastoral Associate at St. Francis de Sales Parish. This position also brought her into direct service in a multi-cultural setting. After eight years, she returned to her hometown, Merrill, where she assisted in the Educator’s Warehouse and in volunteer ministry. Her return to Merrill also enabled her to assist with family care.

Diminutive Sister Lupe was a hard-working early riser, prayerful, good-humored, and easy to live with. She was a loyal friend and devoted to her family. Her artistic ability was shown in sewing, knitting, crocheting, upholstery, and other skills in the realm of arts and crafts. In her later years, she especially enjoyed crocheting lovely baby clothes and blankets for mothers and new infants as welcome gifts for Bethany Services and Pregnancy Center. As well she made “pillowcase” dresses for young girls which Sister Esther Okwor was glad to take back with her to Nigeria. She enjoyed reading and listening to music. Her travels included a memorable trip to Hawaii with several other sisters. The Dominican Lands Pilgrimage was a singular joy and memorable part of her 50th Jubilee celebration.

“Gracias a Dios” are words that form my life,” Sister Lupe wrote at the time of her Golden Jubilee. For this faithful servant with a strong capacity to teach, celebrate, and live a long life of faith, fiesta, love, and joy, we shout with her: “Gracias a Dios.”

Sr. Lupe is survived by many nieces, nephews, friends, and members of her Dominican Community.