Sister Virginia Espinal (formerly Sister Mary Sebastian)

Sister Virginia was born in St. Mary’s Hospital, San Francisco, the third daughter of Miguel and Clorinda Espinal. During her early childhood, Virginia and her two sister, Dolores and Pat, enjoyed going to Golden Park and Playland at the Beach, as well as vacationing in Fresno with their cousins and relatives. All three attended Cathedral Presentation and the Academy of the Presentation.

During her senior year at Presentation, Virginia confided with her teacher, Sister Norbert, about considering entering the convent. Upon graduating from high school, she entered the Sisters of the Presentation June 30, 1953 in San Francisco. The novitiate moved from San Francisco to Berkeley in 1954, where Sister Virginia was professed on January 2, 1956. Five years later, Sister Virginia made her final vows on January 2, 1961 at the Motherhouse in San Francisco. She continued her education at the University of San Francisco and received her B.S. degree in business administration with an accounting major. Soon thereafter she attended San Francisco State University and received her master's in business administration and her teaching credential.  Sister Virginia also had courses at University of California, Berkeley; University of California Los Angeles; University of San Francisco; and Notre Dame University in Indiana. It was at UCLA that she and Sister Virginia King were able to revise and update the curriculum for the Family Finance Program used in the congregation's high schools at that time.

With father and niece Linda	With nephew Bill and niece Kathy	L-R: sister Dolores and niece Linda; Sister Virginia, her father, sister Pat with nephew Bill

Staff of Christian Brothers' Retreat House, 19

Many of her experiences were in teaching, both in elementary schools in San Francisco, East Los Angeles, San Pedro, Montebello and San Jose, and at her Alma Mater, Presentation High School in San Francisco. Sister enjoyed her teaching assignments and always felt the support of her principals and colleagues. Sister Virginia made a thirty day retreat in 1987, and upon completion feltcalled to a new ministry. In 1988 she applied to the Christian Brothers Retreat House at St. Helena in the beautiful Napa Valley for a position on staff to work on retreats for high school juniors and seniors from various high schools in the Bay area and in Los Angeles.  She said of living at the retreat house, “This was my first experience living in a 'mixed' community with the Christian Brothers and men and women lay ministers.” She remained on staff for two years.


In 1991, Sister Virginia was able to have a sabbatical. She attended the School of Applied Theology in Berkeley, which was affiliated with the Graduate Theological Union. Upon completion of her Sabbatical year she was hired by the Mercy Retreat Center as Coordinator of Services. During this time she enrolled in the three-year program to become a certified Spiritual Director. In 1994 Sister Virginia was called back to her Congregation and was appointed as Personnel/ Property Administrator for the Congregation.  Later she also was assigned as Co-Administrator of the Motherhouse, Congregational Treasurer, Coordinator, Human Resources Administrator, and Secretary. She continued as a Spiritual Director and volunteered in the Day Laborer Program.

1990s Administration	2000s Administration	Day Laborer Breakfast with Sr. Patricia Elower

One of the greatest joys was the Pilgrimage to Ireland in 2002 with thirty-three Sisters. It was an exciting and deepening experience following the pathway of the foundress, Venerable Nano Nagle. This unique experience will always be treasured.

At present Sister Virginia has been able to continue her work in the Day Laborer Program and has had other volunteer opportunities at St. Anthony’s and Habitat for Humanity.

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