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REFLECTIONS
Virginia’s life was colored with song &
dance. DIGO SI SENOR :I say yes my Lord! Virginia said YES HERE I AM LORD Virginia Ghigliotti was born to immigrant parents at the old Providence Hospital in Oakland on Feb. 12 1924. She was the first of two girls. Family was her priority. She states that her father was very jolly, always thinking of others and sharing his generous spirit both in the household as well as with outsiders. She loved her younger sister, Eloise. She regretted not spending more time with Eloise’s twins. Her devotion to her mother especially in her later years was faithful, caring and constant as many of you witnessed them together during her years of caregiving. Then there was THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM—She wrote: “I was determined to become the greatest ballerina.” You see at 5- she was shy . The remedy prescribed was dancing lessons and music. Some of you may even have recollections of the Russian dance teacher on 40th street who kept time to the music with her cane. There were years of practice –up to 8 hrs a day during summers--. But by the time she was 11 she shares that she was dissatisfied with dancing and that she was drawn to the things of Religion. Sr. Helen Catherine encouraged spiritual reading. Virginia believed that the lives of the saints influenced her entry into religious life, in particular, Joan of Arc. It is clear that the LORD OF THE DANCE had other plans for Virginia. After junior high she requested to attend Holy Names High School. She tried to hide from her father the fact that her motivation to leave her public school friends was her decision to become a religious. She began her process for entry as a sophomore with Mother Francesca. There was opposition to her desire to pursue religious life even when she turned 18. Then her father changed his mind after seeing how greatly disappointed Virginia was that she too could not enter when her cousin, Sister Andrea entered. He promised that in 6 mos. that if she followed his stipulations she, too, could go. On Dec. 8, after a rosary novena she wrote her letter seeking admission. She wrote in her autobiography that “Mother Francesca would not accept me unless my parents came to see her. This was a blow to me since I knew my father would not be happy to set foot in the Convent. I approached him on this subject on the last day of the year. That night he and my mother came to meet and speak to Mother Francesca. He came because he never went back on his promises.” She was then admitted to the novitiate on January 21, 1944. CALLED BY NAME she was - in many endearing terms: Virginia, Miriam Eloise, VAR, Varsi, and little VAR, Ginny, Twinkletoes, Lady Shorty, and the Energizer Bunny. One sister simply called her friend and another after a moment of reflection said “she was my Rock Bottom Friend.” HOW GOOD YOU ARE GOD Her life truly was a reflection of the Love of her life-God! In 1943 Msgr. Sampson of Sacred Heart wrote: This is to certify that Virginia Ghilgliotti is a lady of this parish well known for her piety and devotion. Virginia was known to have a heart of gold and one who would do anything for anyone. Many sisters attest that Virginia touched their lives deeply by her spirituality of simplicity and caring for everyone. One sister tells the story of Virginia quietly making the bed and cleaning the room daily for another sister who fell and broke her leg. Often there were hidden acts of kindness for her sisters, friends and family as well as the poor and homeless. GENTLE WOMAN: One sister writes that Virginia’s gentle spirit and GENEROSITY touched many, many people over the years. Her voice coach, Michael Morris recalls that Sister Virginia was a very gentle person and was graced with many gifts. Most would agree: “There was not a mean bone in her body.” She had a wonderful sense of humor and could even laugh at herself. For those of you who were with Virginia in these later years you know that she was called to what John Dear, the Jesuit activist, calls - a discipleship of somnolence-otherwise known as sleeping in the Lord. Truly her life MAGNIFIED THE LORD as she SANG HER MELODY of versatility and generosity in God’s service as elementary teacher, CCD Principal, choir director, Montessorri Educator, College Day Care, liturgical ministry, pastoral ministry, infirmirian, exercise leader, driver, villa worker, spiritual director, sacristan, CA retreat team, wise woman mentor to new vocations, welcoming group, associate supporter, women’s prayer groups at the Villa and LG and her MOST favorite assignment: the HOUSE OF PRAYER. I THIRST FOR THE LORD-She had an unquenchable thirst for learning and growing. Spanish studies began at West Valley in the 80’s, as well as with Miriam Daniel, East San Jose Sr. Center and Father Gatto. Other pursuits included: vocal lessons, scripture studies, spirituality classes, liturgical updates, creation centered spirituality workshops, PRH, YOGA and swimming. Prayer groups of various types and with various groups of people at LG, theVilla and Big Sur graced and nurtured her hungers of the heart. VOLARE - UP, UP AND AWAY—she loved to travel and fly----Family trips to Mexico, Central America and places throughout the US started out early in life. She loved Italy and Spain. Sister travelers experienced her easy goingness, compatibility, companionship and fun-loving nature. In 2001 she set her heart on Broadway for music and dance. With 9-11 she altered the itinerary from NY to a consolation trip for a RE-configuration meeting in DC. HOWEVER, she was thrilled with the Kennedy Center where each evening during her week long stay there was a free performance at 6 pm including Ballet Folklorico and many other famous musicians and performing artists. As to her DANCING ---Her high school teacher, Sister Mary Christine, recalls that Sister Superior was so concerned that Virginia’s tutu was too short and therefore Sister was asked to sew another ruffle for Virginia’s performance. Virginia danced before the Lord in many liturgical events—A sister novice remembers her entertaining novices through dance in the novitiate, Another sister recalls her dancing with Sr. Ligouri to PEACE IS FLOWING LIKE A RIVER in this very space. Judith Mayer’s recent email stated: I danced with Virginia at Asilomar and found her always to be a woman of joy, humility and presence. KAY SERA SERA -Last Saturday’s events were a shock to many of us. However one reflector saw God in the details- It was a beautiful sunny day, not even a hint of a breeze, the feast of the Immaculate Heart, a perfect day for a walk—all custom designed for Virginia in her reverie-------------I, too, believe she fell--fell into the arms of God---Last Fall she borrowed this book from me—Falling into the Arms of God –a book on the writings of her favorite saint -Teresa of Avila-I was going to use it as a Christmas gift. She pleaded to borrow it. She couldn’t put it down. She couldn’t return it. She asked for an extension- I said ok –Epiphany. But I began to realize this book had a profound impact on her soul ---month by month I teased her but each time she declared she was not ready to return it and then –at the end of April with a smile and a twinkle in her eye she returned the book and shared that she savored and enjoyed each meditation. I do believe she not only fell into the arms of God but she continued down the road and was greeted by her family and friends who have gone before. Then, finally she was taken from us on Father’s Day and united in the loving embrace of both her father whom she so dearly loved on this earth as well as her Divine Lover, our God Sister Linda Fuselier, SNJM
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