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Sr. Becky Perez is celebrating her golden jubilee as a member of the Auxiliaries of the Blessed Sacrament in Beloit. (Catholic Herald photo/Pat Casucci |
BELOIT — Sr. Becky Perez, a member of the Auxiliaries of the Blessed Sacrament, will be honored at a reception celebrating her golden jubilee on Sunday, June 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Jude Church Hall.
All friends of Sister Becky are invited to the reception being served by St. Jude Marian Guild members.
Devotion to Jesus
From childhood, Sr. Becky Perez, has had a sincere devotion to Jesus. This attribute seems to motivate and energize her as she works each day serving the ministry of the Sisters of the Auxiliaries of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Sisters are dedicated to honoring Jesus and serving the clergy through their apostolate of service and prayer.
As she expressed thanks to the Lord for her golden jubilee, Sister Becky tilted her head a bit and smiled, “When I became a Sister, I never thought I’d get so old.” Shrugging she added, “Fifty years is 50 years,” adding “I say ‘thank you, Lord’ for every day.”
Her great respect for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is part of her being. “Our Catholic faith is so beautiful,” she stated. Her daily prayers include a holy hour in the convent chapel.
An active life
Through her 50 years as a Sister, she has traveled to Canada and spent three years working in Rome, Italy. She speaks Spanish, French, and English.
She became an American citizen. She’s well known and respected in the Beloit community.
Though small in stature, Sister Becky is always animated, a model of energy. Her smile is genuine.
She maintains a full schedule doing domestic work and laundry for several area priests.
Making Communion hosts
Since 1978, Sister Becky has made the Communion hosts for several area parishes. Each week she mixes the batter and bakes and cuts about 5,000 hosts. She notes that number doubles during the Christmas and Easter seasons.
In this task, she is also a teacher. Children who are preparing for First Communion in area parishes come on field trips to the convent to listen and observe how she makes the hosts.
As she demonstrates each step — mixing the batter, putting batter on one of three baker’s irons, then cutting the hosts, being sure there are no crumbs — she captures their attention. “The children always are amazed and they can tell that I love Jesus and the Eucharist,” she explained.
Hobbies contribute joy
Several hobbies contribute to the joy of this Sister’s days. Her pet birds add their musical song to the quiet of the convent. Her voice calms them when they’re fed. Another hobby is enjoying several fish that swim in a small, lighted aquarium sitting in the convent dining room.
During a recent visit, Sister Becky proudly pointed out the large variety of flowers and vegetables she tends. They grow in the large yard of the convent that is located in a historical district of Beloit. The strawberries will soon be ripening, she noted.
Picking an allium bloom, she happily said, “I love being outdoors. I prefer to be active and work out in our yard.”
Childhood in Columbia
Her affection for nature and growing plants comes from her childhood. She grew up on a farm near Mongui, Columbia, in South America. Her family included three bothers and three sisters.
“I milked cows and I milked goats,” she admitted, as she described how happy she was being able to walk in the nearby mountains.
Her childhood was filled with faith and joy.
“I always wanted to be a Sister, to serve God because Jesus was so important to me,” she stated. “My parents, though not well educated, prayed daily. They loved God and followed the faith. I remember priests as being so very special to me.”
Sister Becky recalled a fond childhood memory. A priest from the village came to the farm and went trout fishing with her father in a nearby mountain stream. “Then my mother prepared a meal. The priest came into our house,” she said, the wonder of the memory still evident in her voice. “The priest was special to us.”
She recalled her childhood belief. “I thought maybe people who take care of priests and serve them are also very special.”
Sister Becky expressed a concern she has. “Sometimes I feel priests don’t realize how special their vocation is; how important it is. For me, priests are so special.”
In celebration of her golden jubilee, Sister Becky spent two months last September visiting her family in the Mongui area. It was gratifying seeing everyone, especially nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. “I am lucky to have a family who really loves me. They are so very faithful and respectful of priests, too. I also enjoyed walking up into the mountains,” she said.
Call to religious life
Commenting on her call to religious life, Sister Becky said she was taught by Sisters. Jesus was important to her. She reflects back that when her father died, “I prayed what will I do with my life? Becoming a Sister seemed the natural thing to do.”
She joined a community of Sisters in Bogotá, Columbia, on November 11, 1960. A year later she was sent to Three Rivers, Canada, for her novitiate program.
“I never regretted going so far from my home. I felt homesick only one time,” she said.
When she made her vows as a Sister on May 24, 1963, Sister Becky remembers the occasion being “so beautiful. The chapel was like heaven with flowers and beauty; all the Sisters were present,” she said.
Spent time in Rome
A month later, in June, 1963, she was assigned to Rome to serve at a priest’s residence. On Sundays, the Sisters there had the opportunity to visit the historic and holy sites throughout the city.
This was the occasion of Vatican Council II, so many cardinals and bishops were visiting the residence. She had the opportunity to attend the coronation of Pope Paul VI in St. Peter’s Square. “I was about 30 feet from him,” she said.
“I never thought I would be assigned to Rome. Jesus is so special; I am so grateful,” she added.
After three years in Italy, the Sister was sent back to Bogotá, Columbia, then to Beloit. “I love Beloit and the people are so friendly,” she said, noting that she has spent most of her life here.
An American citizen
Sister Becky took the time in her busy life to study and prepare to become an American citizen 13 years ago.
Smiling as she remembered raising her hand at the citizenship ceremony in Madison on September 21, 2000, which happened to be her birthday, she stated. “It was so solemn and special for me.” She said the judge told the group of 45 people from several countries “you bring your talents here to enrich us.”
She admitted it took her a long time to become a United States citizen because “I was proud to be from Columbia.” She now has dual citizenship.
Admitting she doesn’t take much free time, Sister Becky stressed, “I really like to work; I can always find something to do. I don’t sit for long.” She enjoys sewing and needlework. She’s embroidered albs for priests and corporals for tabernacles.
However, she does kneel in prayer often each day. And, she always says, “Thank you Jesus.”