On September 12, we welcomed our newest candidate, Guadalupe Moore. During her candidacy, Lupe will share community with our sisters at Sophia Community in Sherman Oaks, California and continue her ministry at Mount St. Mary’s University (founded by our sisters in 1925). Get to know her more below. Welcome, Lupe!
Meet Lupe
Hometown: San Diego, California.
Family: My father, James, was from Alabama and served in the Navy during WWII. After the war, he met my mother, Margarita, and they were married in 1949. My siblings and I grew up speaking Spanish at home. I am the fourth-born of seven children.
Education: At Our Lady of Angels School in San Diego, my CSJ teachers made a lasting impression on me. I felt their care, love, and concern for each of us and will be forever grateful for their influence on my life. I always say that there are teachers you never forget, and for me, that teacher is Sr. Mona Castelazo. She introduced us to C. S. Lewis, my favorite author to this day. I also attended Cathedral Girls’ High School and graduated from the Academy of Our Lady of Peace.
While working and living at home in San Diego, I completed an AA degree in foreign languages. In 2008, I received a BA in Liberal Arts and in 2016 an MA in Humanities, from Mount Saint Mary’s University, with a specialization in Cultural Studies. My creative project for the Master’s program, entitled “Journey into Joy: Experiencing Dante’s Divine Comedy,” was held in the Doheny gazebo. It can be viewed online.
Currently reading: All Shall be Well and Comunidad para el Mundo.
Favorite movies: Brother Son, Sister Moon; A Christmas Story; Up
Favorite music: Everything from Mexican to classical music. Currently, this hymn is my favorite: Himno a San José.
What draws you to religious life? Since childhood, I have had the feeling of being drawn to something more. Although I had long known the Sisters of St. Joseph, I was only aware of their teaching ministry, and consequently, I chose to pursue my religious vocation with a congregation dedicated to serving the poor. I entered the Congregation Sister Servants of the Poor in 1982 and ministered in Italy for eighteen years. While on a sabbatical in 2000, I was blessed with the opportunity to share community with Sisters Mona Castelazo and Kathleen Maier and have lived with them for many years. In 2007, I became a member of the Sisters For Christian Community. During the past 20 years, I have experienced the inclusiveness and love of so many CSJ sisters with whom I have come in contact.
What are you most looking forward to after COVID? Getting to know more sisters and connecting with them.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I speak three languages, Spanish, English, and Italian.
Favorite quote:
“Listen, put it into your heart, youngest and dearest son, that the thing that frightens you, the thing that afflicts you is nothing: do not let it disturb you; do not fear this sickness, nor any other sickness, nor any sharp or hurtful thing. Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need anything more?”
Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego on Mount Tepeyac in 1531
Welcome, Lupe!