Sister Raphella Curran, CCVI, a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston, Texas passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2017. May she now enjoy fully the presence of God, whom she loves for all eternity.
Sister Raphella was born in 1930 in Waterford, Ireland to James and Catherine (Finn) Curran and was known as Kathleen. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word at St. Michael’s Convent, County Clare, Ireland on August 2, 1950. She made her First Profession of Vows on June 6, 1953 and made her Perpetual Profession of Vows on August 15, 1958.
Sister Raphella felt passionately called by God to assist others through various ministries, which initially included care of children at St. Joseph’s Home, Alexandria, Louisiana. Sister graduated from Sacred Heart Dominican College, Houston, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and began teaching at St. Francis of Assisi School in Houston, Texas. Sister Raphella continued teaching children at various Catholic schools in Texas, Utah, and Louisiana. She was also a Patient Representative at some of the Congregation’s sponsored hospitals in Texas, California, and at St. Joseph Villa in Utah. In 1985, she was missioned as a teacher and Director of St. Peter the Apostle Nursery School in Baraka, Molo, Kenya. After a sabbatical in 2007, she became a Patient Representative for a second time at St. Bernadine Medical Center in California; the patients found her deeply spiritual, sensitive, and totally dedicated in her care of them. Sister found great joy and a sense of fulfillment in being with the sick and their families to help them through difficult times.
Sister Raphella is survived by three brothers: Joseph and his wife Mary and John and his wife Noreen, both couples living in Ireland, and Paddy, living in London. Also, several nieces and nephews as well as grandnieces and grandnephews.
We extend a special thanks to the Sisters and Staff at St. Anne Convent for their gentle and loving care during Sister’s later years.
Sister Raphella’s body will be received at the Immaculate Conception Chapel, Villa De Matel, 6510 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas at: 5:00 PM on Thursday, July 20, 2017, followed by Evening Praise and a celebration of her life. Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Immaculate Conception Chapel at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 21, 2017. The Rite of Committal will follow at Villa de Matel Cemetery.
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