Sister Joan Maga saw untapped potential in all her students

Holy Family High School honors Sister Joan Maga

On Saturday, April 17, 2016, Sister Joan Maga, B.V.M., St. Bernard Catholic School teacher for over 40 years, and member of the Holy Family High School College Preparatory Class of 1955, was honored for her life's work during the high school's annual Gael Gala.

By Michael J. Arvizu
St. Bernard Catholic Church
During her decades-long ministry as an educator, Joan Maga, a nun in the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, taught, coached and mentored thousands of students who walked through her classroom door or played on her court.
At her funeral Mass on May 5, 2018, friends, family and those former students remembered the Los Angeles native for her skills in getting students to learn.
One of those ways was her ability to connect with her pupils. As a coach, Sister Joan would often read the sports page to familiarize herself with the stats of the day.
"Who wouldn't listen to a teacher that knew her sports?" asked Marguerite Murphy, a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, during her eulogy to Sister Joan. "Whether in the classroom or in coaching, Joan would motivate her students to success."
Sister Joan was born in Los Angeles on May 9, 1937, to Peter Maga and Virginia Baudino Maga.
The future nun entered the Iowa-based Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary congregation Sept. 8, 1955, from Incarnation Parish in Glendale.
She professed first vows on Feb. 3, 1958, and final vows on July 16, 1963.
"Joan, a loving B.V.M., daughter, sister, aunt, friend, completed her earthly journey faithful to herself and to our God," Sister Marguerite said.

The coach taught elementary school in Butte, Mont., San Francisco; and Los Angeles, where she was also a vice principal at St. Bernard Catholic School. In Glendale, she taught elementary school and served as vice principal.
Her former students remembered Sister Joan as one of the most successful volleyball coaches in Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) history, winning 18 championships.
"She had a magnitude of spirit that was manifested through her voice, hand gestures, and facial expressions," said Kalbert Tang, a former student.
One year, Kalbert recalled, when Sister Joan overheard other coaches say that her young, all-seventh grade team didn't have a chance to win, that's all she needed to hear to motivate her.
"And boy did they win that year," Tang said.
"She didn't just care," Tang continued. "She poured her being into her teaching and coaching, projecting a tough love and caring nature, as her voice boomed across the volleyball court."
Sister Joan was unique in that she could find untapped potential in all her students, said Frank Maga, Sister Joan's brother.
"She was able to release the potential and direct it to unheard of accomplishments," Maga said.
Carol Dal Ponte, St. Bernard Church parishioner, whose seven children were all taught by Sister Joan, echoed Maga.
"Every kid has talent, and she knew how to bring it out of them," Dal Ponte said.
Sister Joan knew the love of God, said Father Perry D. Leiker, St. Bernard Catholic Church pastor. She articulated that love not through words, but actions, he said.
"The proof of it is in how she lived her life, what she did," Father Perry said. "She was helping her own way, and in great ways and simple ways, to bring about the fullness of charity. Because isn't that what it is about? Aren't we supposed to look out there and see God in everything and in everyone? She seemed to be able to do that very well."
Sister Joan died on April 13, 2018, at her home in Glendale surrounded by family and members of her religious order. She was 81.
Her longtime partner in education, Sister Dolores M. O'Dwyer, passed on Dec. 16, 2017, at her home in Caritas Center in Dubuque, Iowa, at the age of 94.