Sister Juliana Gapasin, DLJC: 1958-2025

Prayer Town Emmanuel—Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ Sister Juliana Gapasin passed away March 30 at the age of 66.
 
Mass was celebrated April 2, Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Father Mieczyslaw “Mitch” Przepiora, pastor, Immaculate Conception Church, Vega, and Chaplain to the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, presiding. Burial was in Prayer Town Cemetery.
 
Sister Juliana was born Dec. 22, 1958 in the Tarlac province in the Philippines, the seventh of eleven children born to Mauro and Esmenia Gapasin. According to the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, Sister Juliana came from a big, close-knit and fun-loving family. The Sisters said Sister Juliana loved to tell the story of how she learned to work hard and solve difficult tasks when she was growing up because of the example of her parents and older siblings.
 
Sister Juliana graduated from the University of the East in the Philippines with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. After graduating, she taught at a Catholic School in her hometown. Sister Juliana obtained Advanced Catechist certification at Catholic Distance University while she was already a member of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. She participated in numerous evangelistic outreaches, ministries and missions for the community.
 
Sister Juliana joined the Community of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ on Feb. 14, 1985. She made her first profession of vows on Oct. 21, 1986, and her final profession on Nov. 7, 1990. Sister Juliana worked in different capacities in the community, including being in charge of the Banner Department, Local/Mission House Superior, Vocation Director, On-Going Formation Director, Vicar General and Head of the General Chapter Committee.
 
According to her community, Sister Juliana was a brilliant and gifted person in many ways. She was a talented musician who composed songs and enjoyed playing the guitar, xylophone and keyboards. Sister Juliana had a green thumb and loved gardening. She loved cooking her favorite Filipino dishes. Sister Juliana was a skilled seamstress and showed dexterity in crafts and other forms of artwork using different media. She was naturally creative and inventive. Sister Juliana excelled in many things, including almost unbeatable board and card games.
 
The community added that Sister Juliana had a compassionate and generous heart, especially for the weakest and vulnerable. She loved religious life. Sister Juliana was tenacious and had a mind of “steel.” She was task-oriented and determined. Sister Juliana was unafraid to approach and meet high-profile personalities such as archbishops, bishops and other high-ranking officials in the Vatican and government leaders.
 
Sister Juliana was preceded in death by her parents; and two siblings, Fernandito and Ermelinda.
 
Survivors include eight siblings, Mely, Conchita, Concepcion, Jaime, Josie, Renato, Imelda and Bong; and a large extended family both on her mother's and father’s side.