†Sister Angelina Gonzales, OP

“I have called you by name, you are mine.” ~ Isaiah 43:1

The fifth of ten children, Angelina was born March 29, 1934, to Sabino and Maria Abeyta Gonzales in Glorieta, New Mexico. The family was close knit and devout in the practice of the Catholic faith even though there was no opportunity for the children to attend Catholic schools. Parents and grandparents made certain that their faith as well as their Spanish language and culture would remain strong.

Soon after graduating from the public high school, Angelina, who had excelled in business classes in high school, began work at Nazareth Hospital in Albuquerque where she met the Dominican Sisters. Angelina knew that she wanted to do something special for others in her life, but didn’t know exactly how that would happen. The joyful spirit, kindness, and selfless service she saw in the Sisters stirred something in her heart. Encouraged by the Sisters and after thoughtful conversations with her family, she discerned a calling to religious life. Letters were written and the date of departure to Grand Rapids was set.

Despite being shy and inexperienced in travel, Angelina courageously boarded a train alone from Santa Fe to Grand Rapids, arriving ahead of schedule after re-routing her trip to avoid a long layover in Chicago. On January 28, 1955, Angelina entered the congregation. In August she was received as a novice and given the name Assumpta, returning to her baptismal name after Vatican Council II.

Sister Angelina’s seven decades of ministry unfolded in two parts. Following the period of formation, she was missioned back to Nazareth Hospital where she worked in the business office doing the tasks she enjoyed and in which she excelled. Her next assignment was as the business manager at Guadalupe General Hospital, Santa Rosa, New Mexico. After three decades in hospital administration, she felt a deep call to serve in poor parishes where she could teach about Jesus’ love for all people, assist adults in their faith development, and prepare children for the sacraments.

For the next four decades, Sister Angelina worked in religious education and pastoral ministry. She served joyfully and with love in Chama, Tierra Amarilla, Los Ojos, and Santa Cruz. In these places, she was deeply appreciated, receiving awards, recognition, and notes of gratitude.

In 2006 the Archdiocese of Santa Fe presented her with the Archdiocesan Distinguished Service in Catechesis Award. In 2011, Sister Angelina received the D+E+I (Dominican Ecclesial Institute) Lumen Gentium Award for her excellent work in adult faith formation. Upon her retirement, she received an official proclamation from the mayor of the City of Espanola, New Mexico, in appreciation for her years of service to the people.

The Advent novena Las Posadas had impressed Sr. Angelina when she first encountered it in the Chama area. She was so moved by the ritual that she determined to revive the custom in every village she served in northern New Mexico. Today dozens of parishes celebrate the nine-day novena during Advent. Everyone agrees that it is a meaningful and joyful tradition, warming hearts and stirring the souls of each participant. As the people process through the villages singing “Vamos Todos a Belen” (Let us go to Bethlehem), they experience a longing for the coming of Jesus as well as the comfort and strength of their own communities gathering to celebrate their lives and the love of God given through the Christ Child. Today Las Posados is a cherished tradition in northern New Mexico and is always associated with Sister “Angie” who reinvigorated the custom.

At the time of her retirement, Sister Angelina reflected: “The people . . . taught me very valuable lessons in love, simplicity and humility and how to live a life of hospitality and love for each other.”

For relaxation, Sister Angelina enjoyed hiking and music as well as reading and making little gifts for others. Cooking, she reported, was not among her talents, with the exception of making popcorn! Her philosophy of life was “Try to live one day at a time, in peace and joy.”

Sister Angelina’s family often said, “Estamos bendicidos con nuestra Hermanita.” (We are blessed with our little Sister.) And so too, we are blessed to have lived with and loved this dear Sister whom we will miss and always remember.

Sr. Angelina is survived by Stella Gonzales, Alfonso Gonzales (Rosemarie), Joe Elfego Gonzales, Jessie Kowalski (Jim), Gilbert Gonzales (Lucille), Gloria Gonzales Fresques, nieces, nephews, many friends, and members of her Dominican community.