Sister Joan Elise Rodriguez, MCDP, went peacefully home to God on January 9, 2020, San Antonio, TX at the age of 89 years.

She was born to Eugene Rodriguez and Manuela Hernandez on March 24, 1930, and baptized with the name Cecilia, on December 7, 1930 at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Loire, TX. Sister "Joanie" was the youngest of twelve children, and is preceded in death by her parents, and siblings: Sofia, Juanita, Anita, Julian, Benito, Gregorio, Venancio, Lucia, Stella, Eloisa, and Ernesto.  Throughout her adult life, she enjoyed being a part of the lives of her fifty-two nephews and nieces. Many of them visited her frequently.

Sister Joanie entered religious life as a Missionary Catechist of Divine Providence in San Antonio on September 1, 1947, and made final vows on August 6, 1958.  She ministered in Texas, serving in parishes as Director of Religious Education from 1952 – 1998, beginning in the Houston areas of Sugarland, Stafford and Missouri City; Mercedes, San Antonio, Houston, San Diego, Brownsville, Alamo, McAllen, San Benito, Harlingen , (Social Services) Corpus Christi, and Carrizo Springs. She loved teaching children and youth, forming them in faith through formal instruction as well by inviting them to activities and outings where they could experience God's love, joy, and acceptance.  She initiated opportunities for them to grow in leadership and in service to others.

In her years during retirement, Sister Joanie was not one to sit idle. Those who visited her at our convent have seen the numerous puzzles she helped put together, which she framed in order to sell to help raise funds toward the Retirement for our elders. She also took on the responsibility of doing the mail distribution at home every morning. Her kindness to the postman was admirable.

All the MCDPs and close friends can tell you countless stories of her loyalty as a fan to the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Cowboys football team.  Her favorite pastime was saltwater fishing up until the time she became too fragile to cast a line, however, the stories she told gave her as much pleasure to share as when she went fishing.

On behalf of the Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence, the Rodriguez and Hernandez family, we express our gratitude to everyone for your many expressions of love and support to Sister Joanie throughout the many years, and especially during the time of her illness, and for your presence at the celebration of her new life in heaven.

All Services will take place at St. Andrew's Convent, Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent Chapel

2318 Castroville Rd., San Antonio (210 - 432-0113)

VISTITATION – 4:00 PM Tuesday, January 14 ^th

ROSARY – 7:00 PM

MASS of RESURRECTION – 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 15 ^th

INTERMENT – San Fernando Cemetery #2 (Castroville Rd. & Gen McMullen)

RECEPTION following at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church , 1204 Castroville Rd., located next to the VALERO on the corner on Gen. McMullen across San Fernando Cemetery