Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

Hidden at the juncture of Sabino Canyon and River Road in Tucson is the convent and chapel of St. Ann’s, commonly known as Our Lady Star of the Sea. The convent once served as housing for 40 Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The order began in 1848 when Father Joaquin Masmitja De Puig, challenged by living in wartime Spain, founded the congregation to provide catechesis, education, and formation of young people.

Shortly after, 10 pioneer sisters arrived in California and started to settle and found schools after Bishop Thaddeus Amat invited them to establish an educational apostolate in Los Angeles. Their service extended beyond California to include schools in Texas, Arizona, and Canada. Bishop Henry Granjon of the Diocese of Tucson invited the sisters to stay in Tucson to teach. At its height, 40 sisters called the convent home; today four remain.

If you attend Mass, you’ll more than likely run into one or all four sisters: Sr. Superior Luisa, Sr. Esther, Sr. Elaine, and Sr. Rebecca.

Sr. Rebecca arrived at the novitiate in 1963 and quickly took on the role as cook for retiring sisters at that time. She recalls there being 15 to 20 elderly sisters when she first arrived. “I was the youngest one,” she explained.

Sr. Rebecca first discerned her vocation at only seven years old: “At the time, I knew hardly anything about religion or the sisters.” She recalled her cousin mentioning the word “sister” once while playing: "That was the first time I heard that word, and it touched me."

She said she began going to church more frequently after hearing a voice coming from the sky asking her to go to church: “The stories about Jesus and His life were like a story... It felt like God was talking to me through homilies.”

She entered religious life at age 19 after spending time praying with her grandmother: “There was something about [the Blessed Mother] that touched me when I looked at her.”

During those two years in training at the novitiate, she spent time taking care of elderly sisters: “They needed a lot of help,” explained Sr. Rebecca.

Despite challenges faced over decades—like ceasing retreats due to aging members—the community remains resilient: “Right now my superior and I can’t handle [hosting retreats] anymore... but we used to run up there [to Stations of Cross].”

Reflecting on past miracles like an unexpected trip opportunity to Medjugorje village shortly after expressing a desire for it (“It’s not fair that they can go see Blessed Mother”), she maintains faith about future prospects despite concerns regarding state novitiate status: "God has His plans... We’ll never die—the IHM sisters."

Regardless concerns surrounding Novitiate state affairs presently shared among remaining bonded foursome who pray together joyfully helping each other every day (in addition reflecting possible outcomes), concludes matter succinctly asserting reliance divine providence shaping forthcoming events unconditionally ("What will become this holy place? It is God’s hands.")