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| Rosa Valencia 1959 - 2015 |
We never know how a person we meet will impact our lives. Unfortunately
sometimes it takes a death to make us reflect on the particular encounters and
what they meant.
The month of August came with great loss. My father
passed way after a four-month health struggle. While our faith assures us he is
in a better place, we are still dealing with the loss for which we were not
prepared. It will take some time before I can write about this part of the
journey and the significance my father had in my life.
In August, another death took a friend and mentor. The
Rio Grande Valley lost an astute business women who was guided by her faith in
God. Rosa Valencia, who lived life boldly, always speaking up for herself and
for others, died after a long battle with cancer at the age of 55.
As the founder and president of Homes of America, a
successful manufactured home retail company, Rosa epitomized how a person with
determination could accomplish her goals. She crossed into the United States as
an immigrant when she was 19 years old, learned to speak English and worked
three jobs to pay for her studies at St. Edward’s University in Austin, where
she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management.
Rosa came to the United States with three goals. She
wanted to be the first in her family to earn a college degree; second, to
provide financial support for her parents; and third, provide jobs for people
like herself. She accomplished all three and went beyond.
Pope Francis reminds us often about the encounter, about
the people we meet and the moments we share. On my pilgrimage, I have been
graced with people who have mentored me at different points of my journey.
Seventeen years ago I met Rosa on a pilgrimage to the Marian Shrines in Europe.
I was inspired by the unwavering faith of the women on this pilgrimage. Rosa
was among them. As an introvert who tends toward the reserved in my own
approach to life, I admired Rosa’s boldness in everything she did, even how she
said her name – RRRRRRRooooooosA.
Rosa introduced me to St. Teresa of Avila and St. Therese
of Lisieux. I still have a book she gave me about the Little Flower, “The Story
of a Soul.” She told me when we were
Avila to pay attention to the scent of roses, their fragrance a possible
indicator the saints or the Blessed Virgin Mary have heard your prayer.
In my estimation, mentors are important. You learn from
the personal encounter what can’t always be transmitted through books or
university classrooms. Mentors help us see some of our blind spots, they share
the knowledge of their experience, shed light on territory that may be new to us.
Their example can also reinforce what we know to be true.
Among the lessons we can all learn from Rosa: 1. Share
your faith without apology. 2. Live joyfully. 3. Be bold, speak your mind,
otherwise you won’t be heard. 4. Strive for excellence. 5. Be available for
others. We are here to serve.
Few know that while she was receiving treatment at M.D.
Anderson, Rosa went to daily Mass when her health permitted, and after Mass she
hand washed the altar linens. Even in illness she found ways to serve the Lord.
Through her business acumen and strong work ethic, Rose
ran a successful business. She knew what she wanted in life and pursued it
tirelessly. She did not apologize for insisting on the best from herself and
her employees. “Top of the line, first class,” she would say. Rosa did not
accept mediocrity.
Knowing she managed a large team, I asked for her advice
on motivating and management. She said it starts with empowering people to do
what is expected and then holding them accountable. Her advice at other times
gave me the courage to start new projects. Thanks to her guidance, we added a
roundtable segment on Diocese Insight to address women’s issues.
Anyone who spent time with Rosa, knows she was passionate
about life. Her smile and energy were contagious. Rosa desfruto
de su vida. She lived the joy of the Gospel, no matter the situation. She often
recited her favorite prayer from St. Teresa of Avila, “Nada te turbe, nada
te espante, todo se pasa. … Quien a Dios tiene
nada le falta. ¡Sólo Dios basta!” (Let nothing disturb
you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away. … Whoever has God
lacks nothing; God alone suffices.)
Even as she favored the dramatic, she humbled herself
before the Lord, and credited him for her success. In a 2007 article in McNews
magazine she said, “It’s not me. It’s all through his mercy and hard work. I
better never forget who is the real boss!”
She said, “It does not matter how financially successful
you are, do not let power and money own you... Give credit where credit is due
and always show an attitude of gratefulness. The Bible says that to whom much
has been given, much is expected (Luke 12:48).”
Rosa supported her Church and her community. For 19 years she served as a lector and an
extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at the Basilica of Our Lady of San
Juan del Valle – National Shrine. She was most kind and generous to the
religious sisters in her life. She cared for them selflessly like a mother hen.
She referred to them as “spiritual mothers” for the work they do in God’s
vineyard. She reminded me often to make sure to acknowledge them at Mother’s
Day.
Bishop Daniel E. Flores has said, “The Christian life is
about being attentive to the person we’re with, attentive to the way we’re
called upon to respond to their need, or them to our need. Estamos caminando
juntos. We are walking together on this road.”
I am grateful that we do not walk alone. Just as Rosa was
attentive to the people in her life, I pray that my own alertness to each
encounter will grow. I am grateful for
Rosa’s example. She lived life on a
grand scale, her days filled with joy in service to others. May she rest in
peace.
(Originally published
in September 2015 edition of The Valley Catholic newspaper)
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