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Before discerning a focus, sisters and associates gave input on their priorities. Six key justice issues emerged: environment, human trafficking, immigration and refugees, anti-racism, women’s issues and nonviolence. Still … there was a clear desire for focus.
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Imagine what it would be like coming to a new country, trying to make a better life for yourself and for your children. Imagine how difficult that would be if everyone around you spoke a language you did not know. Because of your support, Providence in the Desert enables a parent to speak confidently to her child’s teacher. A grandmother can understand what her doctor tells her about her health. A laborer can understand the people he works for, allowing him a better job.
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“I think what we do creates hope, because it gives them confidence in themselves. It gives them confidence that they can learn. They find out that they can learn the language, but they also find out that even when they make mistakes, they are learning, so it’s OK to keep trying,” says Sister Loretta Picucci of her ministry teaching English to immigrant farm workers at Providence in the Desert in California.
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Passion for justice, love for neighbor and deep faith fuel the work at Providence in the Desert in southern California. Sister Carol Nolan (formerly Sister Mary Sheila) founded the ministry 13 years ago at age 69. The dynamic educator went to live among some of the poorest residents of the United States, immigrant laborers in the Coachella Valley. She asked what they needed and then made it happen. Today Sister Carol and Sister Loretta Picucci and a small staff bring classes in the English language to people who need the help.
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For 30 years Rufina Martinez lived in the United States and spoke very little English. Each day was a struggle for the Mexican immigrant. Thanks to Sister Carol Nolan and Providence in the Desert, life is getting easier for Rufina.
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Providence in the Desert is about a lot more than teaching.
It’s about presence. It’s about caring. It’s about love and compassion.
It’s about calling a student during your down time in the middle of the day to quiz her on what she will need to know for her upcoming U.S. citizenship exam.
A few days ago, Leticia, one of Sister Loretta’s students here at Providence in the Desert, said to Sister Loretta, “When I’m rich, I want to have a car like yours.”
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Surely, as becomes increasingly clear, if everything in the universe emerged from one burst of energy, our connectedness is truly radical.
The ants and the elephants, the trees and the mountains, the first person stepping off the Mayflower and the latest undocumented immigrant: we are all intrinsically part of one another.
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Selected readings and songs of praise honored our foremothers in faith who were witnesses, leaders, deacons, prophetesses, theologians: holy women of our past lineage whose stories we never hear read in our church.
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This year’s Guerin Outreach Ministries Leadership and Advocacy Award winner Frances Ginther has a long association with the Sisters of Providence, one that helped to shape her life-long dedication to people in need.
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Weekly Gospel reflections
A short and simple reflection on each Sunday’s Gospel reading written by a Sister of Providence or Providence Associate.
