It was clear to those assembled April 17 for her Mass of Christian Burial that St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Cecilia Louise Moore --- the former chancellor of the archdiocese who died April 5 --- was very much present at this celebration of her life.

In fact, as Msgr. Terrance Fleming, former archdiocesan vicar general, pointed out in his homily, "Sister C.L.", prior to her death, oversaw the planning for her funeral services --- the Rosary Vigil held the evening before, the Mass that Saturday morning, and her graveside service that afternoon.

Her fingers touched everything --- from the selection of those who bore the processional cross and carried offertory gifts, to the cope worn by Msgr. Francis J. Weber at her graveside service. She requested that Cardinal Roger Mahony preside at her Mass of Christian Burial at Carondelet Center Chapel, Brentwood. She even selected the music, and ensured that Paul Salamunovich would direct the St. Charles Borromeo Church Choir from North Hollywood.

And she decided that her CSJ religious community symbol would be worn on her right lapel directly over her 25-year Archdiocesan Catholic Center pin --- and a small green tie symbolizing her Saint Mary's Academy Class of 1945 placed on her left lapel.

Symbolic of who she was, Sister Moore made these decisions out of faithfulness and love of her CSJ community and the friends she made during 58 years of faithful service to community and the church. A faithful, valiant woman of the church, Sister Moore was eulogized as "a wise lady who loved the church, loved her community," said Msgr. Fleming, "She was a religious ahead of her time and we didn't know it."

Cardinal Mahony, at her final commendation, said that Sister Moore "was truly one of those great church women. We are challenged to live out the way she lived out her life." And he thanked the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet for allowing her to serve so faithfully in the archdiocese.

Sister Moore prayed the rosary daily. During her April 16 Rosary Vigil service, St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Thomas Bernard MacConnell, a long-time friend; Dr. James Delahanty, retired professor from Mount St. Mary's College, where Sister Moore had been president; and William Heinen, Human Resources director at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center, spoke lovingly of the many gifts and talents she shared with others.

"She embraced everything that came her way, even illness and dying, with a 'Yes,'" said Sister MacConnell, who called her "a valiant religious."

She loved education, pointed out Dr. Delahanty, and "was always careful of the offices she held." People trusted her and she was successful because she did it for reasons outside herself. She believed and lived that "everyone exists to serve. It all seemed so Sister Cecilia Louise."

Working with Sister Moore at the Archdiocesean Catholic Center, Heinen called her simply "Sister C.L. --- a truly remarkable woman who would stand out in any crowd," he said. "Although her titles in the archdiocese were secretary, director and chancellor, to us, Sister C.L. was the First Lady of the Archdiocese --- a living, vibrant example of what a Christian woman should be. She brought Gospel teaching to business. She led with grace, dignity and charismatic presence."

An educator and a scholar, "her brilliant mind and deductive approaches to problem solving led Sister C.L. to find solutions to problems and conflicts that were consistent and fair, and protective of the dignity of all persons involved," said Heinen. "Her warmth permeated the entire ACC. Sister always had time to talk and listen. She went out of her way to walk around and visit employees on the floors at the ACC. Sister knew the employees by name.

"We are all blessed to have been touched by this remarkable woman," Heinen concluded. Speaking directly to her, he said, "We thank you, C.L., for all you have done for us --- the great example of Christian love you lived, preached and practiced daily. We are all better people because of you. Sister Cecilia Louise Moore, you made a difference!"

The next morning at the Funeral Mass --- on what would have Sister Moore's 76th birthday --- Msgr. Fleming shared that he was summoned to hear Sister Cecilia Louise's confession just a short time before her death. "I heard the confession of a saint," he said, "a saint who is not going to forget any of us."

Those who gathered for her farewell could have told "a million stories," said Msgr. Fleming. And her titles were many, but "above all, she was just C.L." a woman with whom "when you talked about the Scriptures, you knew she knew who the Lord was."

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet traditionally read a short reflection, a necrology, of the life of a deceased sister at her Mass of Christian Burial. Sister St. George Skurla, a long-time CSJ friend who lived with her in religious community, wrote in the necrology:

"In the early stages of her illness, Sister once remarked, without complaint, that the nights were long. Now for Sister Cecilia Louise, night shall be no more --- only the eternal day of God's presence. As for us who remain, we can only say, 'The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away.' Blessed be the Name of the Lord!"