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Every now and then, we hear about an idea that is so brilliant we want to stand up and applaud. That’s how we felt when we heard about Catholic Extension’s program that brings religious sisters from Latin America to study and minister in the United States before returning home enriched and strengthened by their education and experience.
The U.S.-Latin American Sisters Exchange Program funds religious sisters from Latin American congregations who come to minister among Latino immigrant populations in a “mission diocese” in the United States for five years.
The sisters have opportunities to develop as leaders and increase their impact and visibility as ministers to marginalized populations. They also receive education and various trainings through several university partners, with a bachelor’s and master's degree program offered through St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.
"A win for everybody"
“The program is designed so that it’s a win for everybody,” said a spokesperson for Catholic Extension. “The sisters gain new skills and education. The Church in the U.S. benefits as the sisters touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of people during this program, and the church in Global South comes away better as their order receives an educated leader poised to lead new missions and ministries.”
This year, 44 sisters completed the program, with 28 sisters earning bachelor’s degrees in healthcare and human services management. Another 16 sisters earned master’s degrees in integrated studies with focus areas in human services and pastoral care. They all received their diplomas from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota on May 4.
Fr. Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension Society, said, “I thank God for the gift of religious sisters, and today we celebrate their milestone of graduating with university degrees, which will only enhance their ministries as they serve the poor and marginalized. These women religious are the very face of God’s love and channels of God’s grace to those who need it the most.”
An impact that grows
The program began in 2014, and this year’s cohort is the second group to graduate. For each group of sisters taking part, the program has three main objectives:
- It offers higher education degrees to Latin American sisters serving in the U.S., who would otherwise have no such opportunities.
- As the sisters study, they apply what they learn to their ministry, establishing new services and performing outreach initiatives to develop the human potential of tens of thousands of disadvantaged people.
- Their spiritual witness is a sign of hope to all they encounter.
Sister Gabriela Ramirez, who addressed her fellow graduates during a commencement celebration, said, “Some of us were the first in our family, or even in our village, to receive a university education. The impact of the education we received will be felt by every person we serve.”
Catholic Extension Society welcomed a new cohort of nearly 60 sisters into the program this year. Many of these sisters are newly arrived in the United States, hailing from Colombia, Nicaragua, Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.
As the recently graduated sisters prepare to return to their home countries, our prayers and best wishes go with them. And as the new cohort of sisters begin their ministry and education in the U.S., we can’t wait to see all that they accomplish in the next five years!
