In Loving Memory of Our Beloved Sister Juliana

Sister Juliana was born December 22, 1958, in Paniqui Tarlac, Philippines. Her parents were Mauro and Esmenia Gapasin. She was the seventh of 11 children. Sister Juliana came from a big, close-knit, and fun-loving family. She loved to tell the story of how she learned to work hard and solve complex tasks 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. Already a Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ member, she obtained Advanced Catechist certification at Catholic Distance University. Sister Juliana participated in numerous evangelistic outreaches, ministries, and missions for the community.

Sister Juliana was a brilliant and gifted person in many ways. She was a talented musician; she enjoyed playing the guitar, xylophone, and keyboard and composing songs. Sister Juliana had a green thumb; needless to say, gardening is one of her passions. She also 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.

Sister Juliana joined the Community of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ on February 14, 1985. She made her first profession of vows on October 21, 1986, and her perpetual profession on November 7, 1990. She worked in different capacities in the community, including being in charge of the Banner Department, Local/Mission House Superior, Vocation Director, ongoing formation Director, Vicar General, and Head of the General Chapter Committee.

Sister Juliana had a compassionate and generous heart, especially for the weakest and vulnerable. She loved religious life. She was tenacious and had a mind of “steel.” She was task-oriented and determined. She 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 is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Fernandito and Ermelinda. She is survived by her siblings Mely, Conchita, Concepcion, Jaime, Josie, Renato, Imelda, and Bong, and her large extended family, both on her mother’s and father’s side.

The Rosary was held at Prayer Town, Our Lady of the Angels Church, 404 Holy Way, Boys Ranch, Texas, on Tuesday evening, April 1, 2025. Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10 am at Our Lady of the Angels Church, with burial in the Prayer Town Cemetery.