Sister M. Devota Baker, CSC
(July 29, 1922 - May 16, 2011)
Please, join in prayer of thanksgiving for this Sister of the Holy Cross who died on May 16, 2011 in Saint Mary's Convent.
Word has been received of the death of Sister M. Devota (Baker) who died at 5:10 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2011, in Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, Indiana.
The beatitudes, which mark the opening of Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount as recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew, are an exact reflection of the second half of the life of Sister Devota. She came to this style of strictly living out the Gospel values after 30 years as a teacher and sometimes principal in the elementary schools of the Midwest. During her years in the schools, her field of expertise was math and it served her well as she successfully challenged and motivated her junior high students.
In 1972 she left teaching in a formal setting to give the next 30 years of her religious life to working with the poor, the underserved, the disabled, the elderly and the mentally challenged of society. In fulfilling her inner call to serve this special segment of society, she worked in the office of Catholic Charities, the Center for Community Justice and other related ministries to the poor of the northern Indiana area. However, at the same time she continued to use her teaching skills by tutoring English as a second language to the young people and adult Hispanics who had moved into the Elkhart area in large numbers.
She was highly intelligent and had strong convictions about social justice issues and was guided strictly by them. When serving others she was the model of gentleness and empathy, listening carefully to their needs and, whenever possible, responding to these needs by offering solutions and help. Because of her giving attitude, she endeared herself to those she served.
The fundamentals of religious life were very important to Sister Devota, and she was strict with herself in being faithful to them. Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament was a vital part of her spiritual life. Even when she was not feeling well she made the effort to attend Mass daily, though often sitting back in a corner so as not to draw attention to herself. After coming to Saint Mary's she spent many hours outdoors drawing ever closer to nature and to the God whom she so deeply loved.
In keeping with her simple lifestyle, Sister Devoted requested there be no special ceremonies except her funeral Mass. The Mass of Resurrection will take place on Thursday, May 26, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto. May she rest in peace.