HR690 - In memory of Sister Emilie Eilers of Victoria.

      H.R. No. 690       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, The passing of Sister Emilie Eilers on March 20,   2025, at the age of 90, concluded a remarkable life of religious   service; and          WHEREAS, The daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Grafe Eilers,   Emilie Eilers was born in Hallettsville on July 2, 1934, and she   grew up as the eldest of her nine siblings, Betty Jean, Shirley,   Joseph, Paul, Timothy, Thomas, Michael, Mary, and Cynthia; she   attended Sacred Heart Catholic School before going on to graduate   from Nazareth Academy, and she entered the postulancy of the   Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament at Nazareth   Convent on December 2, 1951; her training as a novice began on June   2, 1952, and she pronounced her first vows a year later; and          WHEREAS, Sister Emilie earned a bachelor's degree in biology   from Incarnate Word College and a master's degree in educational   administration from Southwest Texas State University; over the   course of her seven decades as a professed member of her   congregation, she taught students at Holy Cross Catholic School in   Bay City, Assumption School in Ganado, and St. Leo the Great   Catholic School in San Antonio; in addition, she provided skillful   guidance as principal of St. Joseph High School in Victoria, as   well as St. Michael's Catholic School in Cuero and Our Lady of   Victory Catholic School in Victoria, both of which she also served   as a teacher; and          WHEREAS, A member of her congregation's leadership team for   nearly two decades, Sister Emilie was instrumental to such   initiatives as setting up the convent's outdoor stations of the   cross and rosary path; after taking a one-year sabbatical to   Berakah in New Hampshire, she also earned her certification in   spiritual direction and began her service as the congregation's   ongoing formation director; moreover, she assisted in organizing   the board of the Amor Meus Spirituality Center, which she served for   a time as president; and          WHEREAS, In her leisure hours, Sister Emilie delighted in   praying, traveling, fishing, boating, gardening, and cooking; she   greeted everyone with a radiant smile, and she enjoyed many happy   moments in the company of her sisters, family, and friends; and          WHEREAS, Sister Emilie Eilers led a life of caring devotion   to her faith, her congregation, and her community, and although she   is deeply missed, her spirit will forever live in the hearts of all   who were privileged to know her; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Sister Emilie   Eilers and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family:   to her siblings, Joseph Eilers and his wife, Barbara, Paul Eilers   and his wife, Kathy, Timothy Eilers and his wife, Lori, Thomas   Eilers and his wife, Cindy, Michael Eilers and his wife, Judy, Mary   Lindig and her husband, Johnny, and Cynthia Weaver; and to her other   relatives, friends, and fellow sisters; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of   Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Sister   Emilie Eilers.     Louderback     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 690 was unanimously adopted by a   rising vote of the House on June 1, 2025.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House