SISTER MARY CLOTILDE HEGARTY, CCVI
June 24, 1925 - June 8, 2022
Sister Mary Clotilde Hegarty, CCVI, a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston, Texas passed away on June 8, 2022. May she now enjoy the joy of God’s presence for all eternity.
Sister Mary Clotilde was born Julia Elizabeth in Cork City, County Cork, Ireland, to Michael and Elizabeth (Kearney) Hegarty. She entered the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in October, 1946 at St Michael’s Convent, Co. Clare, Ireland. Her formation continued upon her arrival at Villa de Matel in June, 1949, where she made her Perpetual Profession of Vows on August 15, 1954.
Sister Clotilde felt drawn to the field of education and received a teacher’s certificate from the State of Texas, attended Sacred Heart Dominican College in Houston where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree, and received a Master of Arts in Theology from Notre Dame University. Sister Clotilde began her many years of educating students and expressing her love for God and others by being one of seven Sisters who opened Our Lady of Fatima School in Texas City, Texas. She spent several years there before becoming the Assistant Mistress of Novices at the Motherhouse, Villa de Matel, Houston, TX. After six years, she returned to teaching at
St. Frances Cabrini School, Alexandria, LA and Dominican College, Houston, TX. In 1968, she taught Theology courses in different houses of the Congregation before she started teaching at St. Francis of Assisi, Houston, TX and again at Dominican College, Houston, TX. In 1970, she ministered as Parish Coordinator of Religious Education for St. Mary’s Parish in Texas City, TX for seven years. In 1984, Sister Clotilde went to Kenya and taught at St.
Joseph Minor Seminary in Molo, Kenya. She immediately fell in love with the people and the country. With her master’s degree, she accepted a teaching position at St. Mary’s Major Seminary, Molo, Nakuru Diocese, Kenya and taught there for 18 years. In 2008, she retired from active ministry and devoted the rest of her life to prayer ministry initially at Marian Convent and then at Placidus Place, at Villa de Matel, Motherhouse of the Congregation.
Sister Clotilde is survived by many nieces and nephews.
With a full and grateful heart, deep appreciation is extended to all those who cared for Sister Mary Clotilde at Placidus Place.
Sister Mary Clotilde’s body will be received at the Immaculate Conception Chapel, Villa De Matel, 6510 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas at: 5 PM on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, followed by Evening Praise and a celebration of her life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Immaculate Conception Chapel at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. A Rite of Committal will follow at Villa de Matel Cemetery.