BELMONT — Surrounded by a small group of Sisters, Mercy Sister Mary Bernarda Hoff died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at Marian Center in Belmont after a lengthy illness. Sister Bernarda was a Sister of Mercy for 71 years and would have celebrated her 92nd birthday on Feb. 1.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, at Cardinal Gibbons Chapel in Sacred Heart Convent, Belmont. Interment will follow at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.
Peggy Eva Hoff was born in Greensboro on Feb. 1, 1925, the daughter of Leon Calvin Hoff Sr., and Lucille Estell Garrett, also of Greensboro.
In 1942 she graduated from Greensboro High School and entered the nursing school at St. Leo’s Hospital, obtaining her R.N. degree in 1945. She later also earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Sacred Heart College in Belmont, but her lifelong ministry was in the healthcare profession.
On Sept. 1, 1946, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont, taking the name Sister Mary Bernarda a year later. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1952, and began her ministry at St. Joseph’s Hospital (later Mission/St. Joseph) in Asheville, where she served until 2001 – nearly 50 years in service to the people of the Asheville area.
Sister Bernarda retired from the hospital to Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont in 2001 but continued volunteer work, particularly at Catherine’s House, a shelter for women in transition, until she could no longer serve in active ministry.
Sister Bernarda leaves behind wonderful memories of her complete commitment to mercy, and of her exceptional talent as a dancer – everything from ballet to ballroom dancing and clogging.
Long ago she chose “Domine, non sum dignus” ("Lord, I am not worthy") as the motto in her ring. On Jan. 27, God said, "You are indeed worthy. Come home." And she did!
Memorials to the Sisters of Mercy may be made in Sister Mary Bernarda's honor and sent to 101 Mercy Drive, Belmont, NC 28012.
McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia was in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
CHARLOTTE — Dr. Cris Villapando, diocesan director of faith formation programs, was honored for giving 20 years of service to the Diocese of Charlotte and 45 years of service overall to the Church as he retired this month.
During his tenure, Villapando has worked with clergy, parishioners, catechists, vicariate personnel and parish catechetical program leaders in guiding the diocese’s overall faith formation efforts, including youth faith formation and RCIA programs.
Among other accomplishments, Villapando crafted the diocese’s confirmation guidelines as well as a home catechesis policy, he established a recognition process for catechists, and he developed a handbook and training programs for parish catechetical program leaders. He also formed the diocesan Commission on the RCIA and oversaw the process and Rites of Election each year across the diocese. He also offered catechetical outreach to the growing Latino, Filipino, Vietnamese and Korean Catholic communities.
Before coming to Charlotte, Villapando also served in the dioceses of Richmond and Dallas, the Archdiocese of Denver, and at the University of Dallas.
Pictured: During his retirement celebration Jan. 12, Dr. Cris Villapando and his wife receive a blessing from Bishop Peter Jugis as Bishop Emeritus William Curlin joins them in prayer. Villapando also received an award (below) for his 20-plus years of service to the Diocese of Charlotte. (Photos by Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald)
“We will miss your presence but will count on your sage advice and friendship,” said Father Roger Arnsparger, diocesan vicar of education, during a reception and award presentation Jan. 12 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. “You may retire from the office, but we will still count on your prayer and counsel.”
Bishop Peter Jugis prayed a blessing over Villapando and his wife, thanking him for his dedication in bringing people closer to Christ.
“May Almighty God keep you from all harm and bless you with every good gift. May He set His word in your heart and fill you with lasting joy. May you walk in His ways, always knowing what is right and good until you enter into your heavenly inheritance,” he prayed.
In brief remarks, Bishop Jugis noted Villapando has interacted with and inspired “literally thousands” of people over the years.
“On their behalf I wish to thank you for your dedication to them, helping to form them in parish formation teams and parish formation programs, and for the other great work that you have done. That legacy is what we continue to build on” as the diocese continues to grow and deepen in faith, he said.
Bishop Emeritus William Curlin noted the growth of the Charlotte diocese has been “because of the goodness of people like you, with your wonderful gifts and your dedication and your great heart.”
“Continue to use your gifts,” he told Villapando. “You don’t retire from being Christ-like, you just have a new dimension in how you spend your life and how you enrich others’ lives.”
Villapando thanked all those who have worked with him over the years, especially his colleagues in the Education Vicariate, noting that his mission in education and evangelization has been about changing hearts and bringing people closer to Christ.
“You are all incarnated grace for me,” he said. “Thank you.”
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, Editor