Evangeline Wheeler

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF VANGIE (AUNT JELL): 1933-2021 (88 years)

I am "Vangie," born July 16,1933, on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. That's why my uncle named me "Carmel" and had me baptized as "Maria Carmel" Evangelina. In Spanish "Carmencita" means "Little Carmel." My uncle wanted simply 'Evangeline' because he was in High School then and had 'Evangelinea tale of Acadie' as one of their required readings. But the Spanish Catholic Priest that baptized me insisted on adding a Christian name so he baptized me with the name "Maria Carmen Evangelina." I was baptized two weeks after was born. At that time babies had to be baptized as soon as the mother was able to stand up and walk. (l think it was because my folks and the Priests did not want a little devil in the house). I was the fourth of nine children. We all went to school.

 

As the fourth child, I helped take care of and baby-sit my younger siblings when I was not in school. I helped my mom and older siblings fix supper by washing plates and cleaning the kitchen because I didn't know how to cook. I only knew how to boil and fry. Every morning my siblings and I helped feed the younger ones and take them to school. My siblings and I were supported by our parents with the proceeds from their cigarette shop. In the evenings after school my brothers would help my parents in the cigarette shop. Fortunately, even though they ran a cigarette shop, my brothers and my dad never smoked. I observed the stresses and stretches of my parents to make ends meet, so I resolved to make them proud. I spent quality time reading and studying. I was a valedictorian in primary, high school, and at university.

 

After completing college in 1954, where I graduated in Education with Mathematics as major, I was immediately hired as a high school teacher at one of the Columbian High Schools run by Columbian Irish fathers. I was hired based on the recommendation of one of them who was our Chaplain at the Far Eastern University, Manila Philippines and rose from being a class teacher to becoming the principal. In 1960 1 left for Ireland to join the Irish Sisters of Mercy. There, for 6 six years I did my postulancy, novitiate and final profession as a sister of Mercy. I was given the name 'Mary Bernard'. For twenty years I was a nun in Ireland and in the Philippines. I received the following educational degrees: 1951-1954 Bachelor of

Science in Education (Major: Mathematics) from Far Eastern University Manila Philippines, 1961-1963 Bachelor in Philosophy from National University of Ireland, 1971-1973 Masters of Arts in Education from Divine Word University Tacloban Philippines, Master of Science in Mathematics from Ateneo De Manila University and 1991-1992 Masters of Education from University of Phoenix. I grew in my career from Classroom teacher, to Principal, Lecturer in my Alma Maters and Directress and Head of different educational departments. During the period I was in the convent my parents and siblings all moved to the United States.

 

In 1980 1 learned from one of my own sisters that my mother was gravely ill and dying. It was hard first trying to get permission from Mother Superior for a leave to see my mother. So, when I got a leave from my superior, it was only for a week to stay home. A letter about my mother from my sister to the immigration office was enough to get me a visa to go to San Francisco, United States. When I came to San Francisco, my siblings were all delighted and it was later on that I found out why they were so glad that I came: now they had someone to take care of my mother full-time because, unlike them, I had no children and family to take care of. After a week, I requested to stay longer because my mom was still very ill and even getting worse. So, was given an extra week more, but was told that if t did not return to the order after the extension, I would be put out; meaning that I would not be accepted back nor return to the congregation. My mother's condition lingered on from worse to worst. I could not stand to abandon my mother in such a terrible and helpless condition, together with the pressure from my siblings to stay longer, so I asked for another extension which was refused. I stayed back to take care of her because she is the only mother I have. It wasn't long I was informed by my superior that I had been dispensed by the Pope from my vows and was cut off from the congregation. I cried and was in shock because my stay with the sisters was my happiest time- the silence, cleaning, washing plates, recreation and studying. I enjoyed it all, and If I could go back to the convent now would gladly do so. I planned to return to the convent despite the announcement from my congregation of the release of my vow, but my siblings did their best to marry me off so that I would not be deported back after 6 months. They found a widower far older than me who was in the newspapers advertising for a wife and who agreed to marry me. So, in all appearances we lived as a husband and wife, but inside I kept my vow. At a certain point he did not want to keep his part of the bargain, but I rejected this. When he later died of a natural cause, I saw him in a dream yelling that I did not love him, it broke my heart that he said that in my dream. It was after the ordeal and seeing my siblings raise their own family that I opened the processes of adoption of my son Benjamin whose biological parents had died during the Nigeria/Biafra war. My happiness was restored when he became a priest. My son became my consolation, support and inspiration that helped me be faithful to my promise to God and become a joyful mother.

 

I lived most of my life in San Francisco, Arizona, New Mexico and Florida, where I taught Algebra in various schools and was catechist in different Roman Catholic Churches. I made many friends as a member of the Legion of Mary and as a church chorister. I supported my church and unprivileged church members and students both in the U.S, Philippines and Africa, I loved what did. I am grateful to my family, my church and my adoptive son, Fr Benjamin. Without him I could have died. I followed him proudly like St Monica to St Augustine wherever he was assigned, One thing I remember that gives me joy is the fact that I remained faithful to my vow and to the Holy Roman Catholic Church. I rarely miss daily and Sunday masses because I have been in the best of health. Thanks be to God.

 

Written on my 80th Birthday, July 16, 2015.

 

ADIEU ADIEU              ADIEU MOM