Fara Victoria Contreras

Fara Victoria Contreras passed on to her new eternal life to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 24, 2017. She was a wife, mother, teacher, volunteer, Catholic Lay Evangelist, and in the lay ministry of the Order of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. She completed lay ministry studies at the Oblate School of Theology.

She was born on August 25, 1930 in San Antonio, Texas. At the age of four, Fara was hit by a car and suffered life-threatening and serious injuries. She had a life and death experience. Her recovery was slow and painful lasting throughout her lifetime. Fara was blinded for nearly two years, but vision was restored when a doctor from Kansas saw her picture, and read about her in the Kansas City paper in 1934. He came to San Antonio, and volunteered to perform surgery that he believed would help her. After five surgeries her vision was restored. She struggled as a sick child for many years afterwards, but never giving up and by the Grace of God was able to make remarkable progress.

Fara was an exemplary student and entered high school at the age of eleven. Raised in the Lutheran church, and by age eleven prayed to be converted to Catholicism, She asked the Lord for three desires in her life. 1) Become a Roman Catholic, 2) Marry a good Catholic man, and 3) Serve God. Anyone that knew her husband, Fernando, and his family surely recognized that God had indeed showed her favor. Fara met her best friend, Fernando in 1947, and they were married in January 1950. They had four children: Fernando Jr., Denise, Alexander, and Herlinda. They raised their children educating them in Catholic schools. She began teaching at Holy Rosary Catholic School in 1959. These were her happiest days, and she often reflected on her students throughout the years, even while watching some on television excel into city council officials, and other political offices. She was an excellent teacher, and often sought after by other teachers and principals through the years to calm those students that were unruly, hyper or having reading and other learning difficulties. She had a way about her and those students became some of her best performers in reading, math and science. Fara also taught Spanish at St Gerard’s High School. She never turned down an opportunity to expand her horizons or to do the Lord’s work. She was a voice during election times and her political views were respected by her friends, family, and community. It wasn’t unusual for the mayor running for office or state representative to knock on her door seeking her support. She was active at the polls. After the death of her husband, her spiritual journey begins. Fara volunteered selflessly for more than 25 years at Holy Family Church where she met and worked with some of the most wonderful people in her life. She volunteered fulltime daily and more- often returning later to fulfill her ministry of evangelizing, taking food to the needy, visiting the sick, and participating in other Catholic activities. She assisted in helping the Sisters of Blessed Sacrament with donations of food and clothing to those at the brink of giving up. She was instrumental in planning and organizing church events and fund raisers. Fara’s ministry did not stop in San Antonio; she travelled to Central and South America, and Mexico with the Good News Ministries, and served in the lay ministry order of the Society of the Most Holy Trinity founded by the late Father James Flanagan. Her ministry continued while visiting her daughter, Herlinda, where she volunteered her services at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hackensack, New Jersey. Life Activities: Charismatic Prayer Group in her church under Bishop Tom Flanagan, Holy Family Choir, Eucharistic Minister, Altar Society, Marianas, St Vincent DePaul, Holy Family Prayer Group Ministry. She taught religious education (RCIA) The Right of Christian Initiation of Adults, and (CCD) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Fara belonged to the lay ministry order (S.O.L.T) Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity based in Corpus Christi, Texas. She travelled to Mexico and Belize experiencing living simply in the manner of the Catholic Society of Apostolic life. She graduated from Charlie Osborne’s School of Lay Evangelism in Pensacola, Florida in 1991. Her home was always opened to clergy and lay ministers visiting San Antonio for special events. She continued an open pantry at home to provide food and clothing to the poor. Fara continually studied the word of God and for many years attended religious education teachings in San Antonio and out of state. She completed her lay ministry studies at the Oblate School of Theology. During her years at Holy Family she and her daughter, Denise, and son-in-law attended bible classes instructed by the late Deacon Manuel Carranza at Holy Family Parish.

Fara’s life was devoted to God, her husband, and her children. Her hobbies included her beautiful singing voice, cooking, baking breads, pastries, and specialty cakes for all occasions. She loved to travel, and was blessed to do so all over the United States, as well as to Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, the Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, South America, and Central America. Fara served on the Papal Council in preparation for the September 1987 visit of Pope John Paul II. In 1996 she attended Christmas Eve Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica (Rome, Italy), and Christmas Day at St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro) where Pope John Paul II gave his blessing to the crowd. This left a lasting impression, and confirmation that her purpose in life was to serve the Lord.

Fara was preceded in death by her beloved husband Fernando Contreras, and sons Alexander and Fernando Jr. Even during episodes of serious illness, Fara’s thoughts were of her children’s well-being, not her pain. She was a selfless woman, wife, mother, and servant of God. She is survived by daughters, Denise Phelan (Richard Sasser), and Herlinda Salinas; Grandchildren: Jason Phelan (GG-Hailey, Cheyenne, Christian, Jaxon, Audi); Alexander Contreras (GG-Devon, Derek, Dane); Jackie Contreras; Christopher Contreras; Mark Contreras (GG- Adriana, Alexandra); Matthew Contreras; and Catherine Contreras (GG-Katelyn, Harry, Maria, Hazel) and sister Kathryn Bennett, nieces and nephews.

To the Caregivers: A special thanks to the nurses and staff at Girling/Kindred Home Healthcare, and Texas Home Healthcare for the excellent care throughout the years. The family is very appreciative for your services.

The family would like to extend their love and appreciation to Richard Sasser, son-in-law, who stepped in as caregiver to this wonderful woman. Thank you to her grandson, Jason Phelan for also stepping in to aid as caregiver, and to Cheyenne Phelan, great granddaughter, for assisting as a caregiver sitter.

To the Doctors: We offer sincere gratitude to Dr Robert Schnitzler, Cardiologist, and Dr Ana Rodriguez, Primary Care, the City of San Antonio Fire Emergency Services, and Methodist Hospital Emergency Staff.

Services:

June 5 Rosary at Roy Akers 7:00pm (first viewing 4:00 pm)

June 6 Mass at St Brigids Catholic Church 11:45 am

Burial at Ft Sam Houston Cemetery 1:30 pm

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria Del Angel Roy Akers, San Antonio, TX.