Sr. Helena Monahan, CCVI | A Message from President Evans
Dear UIW community,
It is with deep sadness that I share with you the news of the passing of Sr. Helena Monahan, CCVI, on Friday, September 19. Sr. Helena was a member of our founding congregation, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and played many roles at our university over a long and distinguished tenure marked by her deep kindness, dedication to the institution and its students, and determination to serve both whole-heartedly.
Her formation with the Sisters began as a student of Incarnate Word Academy in her native St. Louis, Missouri. There she came to know many CCVIs and was inspired to pursue a Bachelor of Arts at our university, then known as Incarnate Word College. She would return to us in 1972 as an English professor and remain for another 30 years, serving in many capacities, including as an Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Assistant to the President for Legal Services, and Chancellor, where she oversaw accreditation and new program development. She also served as a member of our Board of Trustees.
As a testament to her decades of service and incomparable contributions, she was named Chancellor Emerita upon her retirement in 2012.
Her great love of the Sisters’ approach to transformative Catholic education and its power to illuminate is best stated in her own words: “The word educate means ‘to lead out,’ ‘to reveal,’ ‘to expose.’ For 155 years, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word have been leading each other and their students out of the prison of not knowing, revealing the meaning of truth and integrity, and exposing the incredible potential of this world and beyond.”
While Sr. Helena served our university prior to my tenure, her lasting legacy is a source of inspiration. I know that I share this sentiment with many in our university family. Her work and vision left indelible imprints on our institution and all who worked with and learned from her.
A Memorial Mass will be held in Sr. Helena’s memory on Monday, October 6 at 4 p.m. at the Chapel of the Incarnate Word with a reception following at CHRISTUS Heritage Hall. Additionally, if you have a special memory of Sr. Helena Monahan or wish to share a thought, please share it with our Office of Communications and Brand Marketing at pr@uiwtx.edu.
Please join me in praying for the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Sr. Helena Monahan’s family and everyone in our wider Incarnate Word family who are affected by this profound loss.
In the words of our faith: “Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
Sincerely,
Thomas M. Evans, PhD
President