February 2007 - Sister Barbara Batiste, SSF

"Jesus is like a brother to us," explains Sister Barbara Batiste, SSF, a great-granddaughter of French Creole slaves and a native of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana. "We know Jesus the Crucified Christ understands [our pains], but it's the Resurrected Christ Who gives us hope."

Catholic Extension's February 2007 Hidden Hero, Sister Barbara Batiste, was only 6 when she got "the call" to her vocation. "I was in first grade at Sacred Heart School when I fell in love with the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament," she remembers. Despite her tender age, "My parents were wise enough to affirm my desire to give my life to God as a religious woman."

Sister Barbara went on to teach for five years at a Catholic school in Lake Charles as a lay woman, but she never joined the Blessed Sacrament Sisters, who were formed to staff Native and African-American missions in the U.S. During a Catholic educators' conference in January 1984, she heard a black nun speak about the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans, a congregation of African-American sisters.

"I felt a tingling feeling all through my body and knew I needed to learn more," explains Sister Barbara, who entered Holy Family's convent seven months later. "Anyone who has even a fleeting thought about becoming a sister, priest, brother or deacon should realize it's the Holy Spirit putting that thought or desire in their mind or heart."

Sisters of the Holy Family was founded in 1842 - 21 years before the Emancipation Proclamation - by Henriette Delille, born in Louisiana in 1813. Delille's father was white and her mother a free woman of mixed race.

Drawn to the religious life, Delille tried to join the Ursuline and Carmelite orders but was denied because of her race. She then founded Sisters of the Holy Family for black women. Mother Henriette and early followers taught black children (which was then against Louisiana law) and cared for the sick, the poor and the elderly - ministries the congregation continues today.

Following in the footsteps of her foundress, Sister Barbara teaches "her people" about their Savior and to be proud of their heritage. "I always had a strong desire to work in my home parish," says Sister, adding that she wanted to give back to the community that had "trained her up" as a child.

Sister Barbara returned "home" 5 years ago to serve as Director of Adult Education and Evangelization at Sacred Heart. Since 2002, 41 people have joined the church. What is encouraging, Sister Barbara says, is that many of the converts are young adults or children. A Catholic Extension grant helps fund Sister Barbara's vital ministry as well as the religious education program that enrolls about 110 students.

To help provide for hard-working "Hidden Hero" missionaries like Sister Barbara, please donate now securely. Thank you.

Read about Sister Barbara's missionary work in the February issue of EXTENSION Magazine.