5 minutes with ... Sister. Heloise Cruzat, O.P.
January 5, 2011
HOUSTON — A native Houstonian and Dominican sister, Sister Heloise Cruzat, O.P., Vicar for Religious in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, describes herself as a "child of the Depression."
"I do believe that we were marked for life," Sister Cruzat said. "Some of us still cannot throw things away, we like to stock the next item before it is needed and many of us retain a frugality that was the necessary way of our young lives."
She allows that these are good character traits, but said, "at times we need to explain ourselves a bit."
Sister Cruzat began her career in education as a French, Latin and Spanish teacher at St. Agnes Academy.
"Gaining my teaching credentials and the actual experience of teaching French and Spanish brought me a great love of the Spanish and French cultures and people," Sister Cruzat said. "I am fortunate now to be a teacher of English to Hispanic adults."
Later, she served as principal at both St. Agnes Academy and St. Pius X. From 1992 to 2004, Sister Cruzat served in leadership for her congregation.
"That 12-year period also had treasured moments of meeting and planning with our Dominican sisters and brothers world-wide and working with other congregations for common purposes," said Sister Cruzat. "We became interested in border conditions between Texas and Mexico and those experiences still influence my prayer,thought and action."
Sister Cruzat recently visited with the Texas Catholic Herald about her vocation and life.
Texas Catholic Herald: When and why did you decide to become a religious?
Sister Heloise Cruzat: I grew up in All Saints Parish and attended All Saints School. My first grade teacher lived on our motherhouse grounds in her later years and one day she asked me about my call to religious life. My response: ‘I hate to disappoint you, Sister Irene, but it was that statue in the parlor of All Saints Convent.' Once as a very young child, I went to the convent on an errand. There in the entry was that beautiful likeness of the young Jesus holding an open book that said: ‘Come, follow me!' It was my invitation, sometimes set aside, but never forgotten. Let me mention that on that same errand I saw rocking chairs in the convent parlor, and thought the sisters must have a nice life; we had rocking chairs at home, too. Little did I know how little time there would be for rockers.
TCH: Who or what most influenced your call to religious life?
Sister Cruzat: In our growing up era of the ‘30s and ‘40s it was not at all unusual to receive public and overt invitations to religious life … When asked about my choice of a Dominican congregation, I always feel a need to explain that it was the logistics of early Houston that pointed my way. It wasn't discernment of other groups or ‘come and see' events … When I was in the early grades at All Saints, our streetcar line went directly from the Heights to St. Agnes Academy on Fannin Street.
A major decision made without discussion … my primary and secondary education was Dominican. I had some of our finest Dominican women as teachers and later as sisters in community.
I went to the University of St. Thomas during its founding years, two of the most beautiful years of my life, and I also studied at St. Louis University — Dominicans, Basilians, Jesuits — not shabby!
TCH: What projects are you most passionate about or working on the most at the moment or in your current position?
Sister Cruzat: ...In Galveston-Houston, we have 450 consecrated women from 42 different congregations. It is a true joy to be our cardinal's delegate to them, to be helpful to them, and to offer the several programs that bring us together each year. At this moment, I am working on our upcoming Feb. 6 Celebration of Consecrated Life at the Co-Cathedral — an annual highlight of our time together.
Catholic education has always been a high priority in my life. Currently, I am able to remain active through the Archdiocesan School Council, and specifically, with the planning processes that will affirm the vision and initiate some alternative structures on behalf of our Inner City Catholic Schools.
TCH: What might be the most memorable moment of your life as a religious?
Sister Cruzat: Highly inspirational moments have been opportunities that I have had to walk the lands of Dominic, the Holy Land and in the footsteps of Paul. Experiences of seeing, walking, touching and praying on site are invaluable for my growth and deepening.
TCH: What has challenged you as a religious?
Sister Cruzat: My life span has seen remarkable advances and changes and I am grateful for that experience. Our 21st century is ever faster moving in terms of technology, science, discovery and extension of the human dream. This is a challenge for all of us, especially for us who have the call of fidelity to faith, and to the founding spirit and vision of our congregations. In our Dominican tradition, we have never been more aware of the need to pray, to study, to examine issues and to be steadfast in proclaiming the Good News with vigor and fidelity.
TCH: How would you define vocation?
Sister Cruzat: Remember, you are asking a former Latin teacher. A vocation means a calling and is the word we most often use to describe the call to religious life. Each person, however, has a vocation. It is God's call — God's personal love for each of us — that is so important to discern, to recognize and to honor.
TCH: What do you do for fun?
Sister Cruzat: I enjoy making pralines and breads. I make photo nature cards and scrapbook important events. I love the outdoors — I like to tend plants, and I spend a fair amount of time with our volunteer gardeners in the Dominican Sisters' Community Garden, an organic donation garden that we have maintained for 15 years. And yes, we love to have both visitors and volunteers.
TCH: What would others find surprising about you?
Sister Cruzat: Some of my former students — now friends — are still a tad amazed that I can be friendly and relaxed, have a strong sense of humor and never divulge their ‘principal's office secrets.' Not many know that I've enjoyed the opportunity to fish the Canadian lakes several times, and savor fresh walleye on the Canadian lakeshores.
TCH: What advice do you have for those considering a vocation to religious or priestly life?
Sister Cruzat: Simply to be conscious that God's call is God's personal love in your regard. You might easily think of Scripture giants who were so aware of their unworthiness and inability, who were afraid, and who very much wanted to say ‘no.' Our loving God knows all that about us far better than we do. God's love is always present and personal. We have only to listen, to hear, to say the ‘yes' and to begin a unique and remarkable journey in faith and trust. †