Sister Callista, 100, passed away on Saturday, May 5, 2018. She was born on February 4, 1918 in Cistern, Texas to the late Cyril Joe and Augusta Lena (Otahal) Mares. She was the second of seven children - two girls and five boys.
Sister Callista completed elementary grades at St. Wencelaus School in Cistern and high school at Nazareth Academy in Victoria. She became a Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament in San Antonio on December 18, 1937 and made first profession of vows on December 19, 1938. She received her BA degree with a major in history and a minor in philosophy from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio.
After celebrating her 100th birthday in February, she was preparing to celebrate her 80th jubilee as a Sister. She enjoyed her years of teaching primary, elementary and junior high students at Sacred Heart School in Hallettsville, Nazareth Academy, Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio, Ammannsville, Sealy, Falls City Public School, and St. Ludmila Academy in Shiner.
When Sister Callista retired from full-time classroom duty in 1985, she remained active with assisting in the infirmary, serving as sacristan, and participating in household duties at Incarnate Word Convent. During some of these years she also visited nursing homes in the area. She made items for the Arts and Crafts sales with her crocheting and needlepoint and loved to put jigsaw puzzles together. Her last years were spent in the apostolate of prayer and suffering.
She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, William (Bill), Charles, Felix, John, and George.
She is survived by her sister, Catherine (Mares) Camp and many nieces, nephews, grand, great-grand, and great-great-grand nieces and nephews, former students and friends.
She is survived by her sister, Catherine (Mares) Camp and many nieces, nephews, grand, great-grand and great-great grand nieces and nephews, former students and friends.
On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Visitation and Scriptural Rosary will be at 3:00 p.m., and a Wake Service with Evening Praise and Sharing of Memories will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Incarnate Word Convent. On Wednesday, May 9, 2018, a Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Incarnate Word Convent. Chaplain Father Phi Nguyen will be the main celebrant. Burial will follow at Catholic Cemetery No. 3.
Pallbearers are Joe Mares, John C. Mares, Richard Thompson, Glenn Machicek, Clay Ohrt, Jason Mares, Dale Mares, and Josh Mares.
Memorials may be made to Incarnate Word Convent, Hospice of South Texas, or donor’s choice.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com
