Page 31 - Catholic Extension Magazine Summer2020

Extension | Summer 2020 31

Latin American sisters IN TIMES OF CRISIS,
tailor their approach
to be responsive YOU CAN COUNT

ON SISTERS
to new needs

ime and again they met several challenges, but understand that there is a great
throughout history, they never envisioned a global need for connectedness in times
Catholic sisters have health crisis just as they were like these. “One positive piece of
been the faces of getting acclimated. this pandemic is that people are
hope and mercy Their missionary vocation is craving closeness,” she said. “They
T wherever there is especially helpful during this time realize how much we need each
massive uncertainty and suffering. of isolation. “As missionaries, we other.”
And so it is in this often deal with great
pandemic, Cath- distances separating
olic sisters are hero- people and have to
ically reinventing imagine ways to help
their ministries them feel solidarity.”
to help poor faith She knows families
communities. who are now suffering
Sister Gabriela through sickness and
(Gaby) Luna Díaz, unemployment. They
who is part of Cath- rely deeply on their
olic Extension’s U.S.- faith and feel the loss
Latin American Sisters Exchange of sacraments during this time.
Program, is working with poor On Sundays, when parishioners
populations in northwestern Wis- would normally attend Mass,
consin to help them confront the the sisters hold Skype ses-
hardships of this crisis—including sions to pray the readings,
job loss, illness, fear and isola- sing and have reflections.
tion—and stay connected to the During the week, they also
Church. meet with groups online
With all the social distancing to say the rosary and have
measures, she is using FaceTime meditations.
and social media to provide coun- Sister Gaby, and sis-
seling and minister to the poor ters everywhere, uniquely
that she serves. “Every day we
are finding new ways to let peo-
ple know that they are not alone,” ABOVE With social distancing, Sister
she said. Gaby has expanded her connections
From Mexico, Sister Gaby is with parishioners “virtually” to help them
here with two other sisters of during this stressful time.
the Eucharistic Missionaries of RIGHT Latin American Sister Gaby Luna
St. Teresa. When they arrived in Díaz arrived in northern Wisconsin to
December 2019 to minister to work with Hispanic communities a few
marginalized poor communities, weeks before the pandemic struck.