Born to Eternal Life We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved + Sister Helen Santay who departed this life on Friday, January 11, 2008 Funeral: Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at 3:30 p.m.
As fall turned to winter, Sister Helen eagerly awaited a spring of everlasting life. As Epiphany passed and ordinary time approached, Sister Helen joined Jesus in celebrating the fullness of her Baptism as a child of God. At Jesus' baptism, a voice was heard, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” At Helen's, those words echoed and that same delight was expressed. Following the death of her older sister, a member of the community for too short a time, Helen entered. At Investment, Helen took the name her sister had been given, Cyrilla; after Vatican II, she reclaimed her baptismal name. We cannot imagine how her sister's untimely death affected her. We know that Sister Helen lived in faithful love as she responded faithfully to God's invitation: I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice; I have grasped you by the hand… (Is 42:6) Sister Helen taught in various schools and was one of the first sisters missioned in Detroit . Later, trained in special education and psychology, her ministry shifted to children with special needs. Sister Helen, with another Sister of Divine Providence, pioneered the opening of the Quigley Diocesan Child Center in West End , where she served for twenty-two years, using her gifts for children and their families, helping each one receive the best education possible. I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind… (Is. 42:6) Young sisters who lived with her spoke of her open-mindedness and her care and support in their early years in community. Sister Helen's love of community and of each individual sister called her to share her time, energy, passion and skills to nurture and strengthen the life of those she touched. I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand…(Is. 42:6-7) As Sister Helen's hearing loss became more profound, she began her final ministry. For twenty-five years, she dedicated herself to supporting and assisting the elderly and infirm sisters at Providence Heights . At first, she shopped, helped with personal and clothing needs, and with each one's mail. She prepared special celebrations for each sister and was the “epitome of kindness” as she willingly took on whatever would improve the sisters' daily living. Even as her own energy and abilities diminished, Sister Helen continued to visit and pray with the sisters in the annex. In the words of Isaiah, we remember Sister Helen's fidelity and service. Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit… (Isaiah 42:1) Birthday: April 6
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