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Celebration of Life held for Sister Rosa
Sister Rosa’s work led to the creation of La Casita, La
Esperanza Community Center, Primeros Pasos Child Care Center, La Red Health Center, and The Rosa Health Center. STEVEN BILLUPS PHOTOS
May 16, 2019
A Celebration of Life was held for Sister Rosa May 4 at Delaware Technical Community College. This tribute was read at the celebration:
Sister Rosa María del Carmen Álvarez Campa, known as Sister Rosa or the “abuelita” of Georgetown, Delaware, went to heaven Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. She was 89.
From an early age, she knew the pain of loss and hardship. Her mother died in childbirth, and her father left home to fight in the Spanish Civil War. At 15, she moved into a boarding school run by the Carmelite Sisters of Charity. She joined the order at age 22, becoming a nun in 1951, and was missioned to England and then to California. In 1976, Sister Rosa moved to Washington, D.C.
Sister Rosa, along with her Carmelite Sisters, found a growing number of women living on the streets of the city. The sisters established Mount Carmel House, a shelter for homeless women. Sister Rosa’s determination and tireless dedication gave many women in despair a way to turn their lives around.
In 1994, Sister Rosa moved to Georgetown, Delaware to join Sister Ascension Banegas and begin a new mission serving the growing Hispanic population. Together with Sister María Mairlot, who came a year later, the three sisters became the angels for thousands of immigrants in need who were blessed with their work for over 20 years.
Sister Rosa’s childhood pain was transformed into compassion for women and children feeling lost and alone. She understood the men and women who fled a civil war in Guatemala to come to Delaware. When she saw a need, she enlisted other volunteers to help. Her work led to the creation of La Casita, La Esperanza Community Center, Primeros Pasos Child Care Center, La Red Health Center, and The Rosa Health Center. Her profound effect can be seen today in the way all of these organizations serve the community.
Sister Rosa’s special calling was as prenatal care social worker. She performed this all-consuming role with love, joy and precision, driving expecting mothers to prenatal care and being on call for every woman in labor to be taken to the hospital. She was there for the birth of thousands of babies, and she taught new parents about obligations and expectations.
Sister Rosa earned the gratitude and the admiration of her community, of Sussex County and the State of Delaware. She was honored with prestigious awards in healthcare, volunteerism, public service, dedication to the poor, children’s advocacy, and building a future. Included in Sister Rosas’s recognitions at a deeper level are honors she treasured. It was the mothers she helped who touched her heart by making her the godmother and grandmother of thousands of babies, many of whom are named after her. Her life was joyfully filled with birthday parties, first communions and graduations of the children who will never forget her.
She was a powerful force at a time of great need. Her purpose in life was to serve and she lived a life of faith in action. She would say that the work kept her body active and her mind sharp. It was God’s grace that filled her spirit with the extraordinary strength, determination and stamina to do immense good. She taught us what it means to do God's work by her example and her unconditional love for us all. No words can express Sister Rosa's love for the Georgetown community and our love for Sister Rosa.
Sister Rosa’s work led to the creation of La Casita, La
Esperanza Community Center, Primeros Pasos Child Care Center, La Red Health Center, and The Rosa Health Center. STEVEN BILLUPS PHOTOS
Cait Clarke, right, a good friend of Sister Rosa's from Washington D.C., and her interpreter Alicia Sosman addressed the audience. Clarke said, “Sister Rosa, Sister Maria and Sister Ascension are and will continue to be in heaven and here on earth the most fiery advocates for those who don’t have a voice.”
U.S. Sen. Tom Carper spoke at the event. Carper said that the sisters were the embodiment of the Golden Rule.
Carlos Erazo shared his music prior to the main part of the event.
Sister Maria Mairlot, left, sits with one of the event organizers, Patricia Rivera, as Sen. Tom Carper leans in for a photo.
