Sister Gabriella Williams, O.P., Diocese of San Bernardino, Calif.

Winner of the 34th Annual Lumen Christi (“Light of Christ”) Award

The Lumen Christi Award was established by Catholic Extension to highlight an outstanding individual who has shown a special dedication to serving people in his or her under-resourced diocese.

Sr. Gabi was nominated for the Lumen Christi Award by Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of the Diocese of San Bernardino. As the Lumen Christi Award winner, Sr. Gabi received a $25,000 grant to assist her in her work. The Diocese of San Bernardino, where Sr. Gabi ministers, received an additional $25,000 grant, which Bishop Barnes designated to Sr. Gabi’s ministry. A special Mass and reception were held in her honor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Indio, Calif.

“These grants are provided in the spirit of Catholic Extension’s mission to strengthen and support the growth of the Catholic Church in under-resourced faith communities,” said Catholic Extension President Father Jack Wall. “We are pleased to assist Sr. Gabi in her ministry through funding that will help her continue to extend the light of Christ to those around her.”

Eight years ago, when Bishop Barnes requested that Sr. Gabi work in outreach ministry to the poorest of the poor, she responded with great enthusiasm. Sr. Gabi has since shared her gifts with the poor, including many Catholic field workers and hourly laborers, in the Coachella Valley. In hundreds of trailers with unsatisfactory conditions, Sr. Gabi advocates for struggling individuals and families. Sr. Gabi is the presence of the church and also helps secure basic necessities for these people who have suffered so much injustice and indignity.

One of Sr. Gabi’s biggest projects is near completion. She is working with a non-profit organization called “Communidad de San Jose” to create a facility for adult and youth learning. Sr. Gabi plans to use Catholic Extension’s Lumen Christi Award grant to create a technology room within the Communidad de San Jose to provide school children with access to the technology they need to complete their studies. Sr. Gabi also hopes to use the facility for college preparation and to begin a trade school to teach vocations to those who do not attend college.

“The Communidad de San Jose will be the first facility of its kind in the area—it will be a resource for the community,” said Sr. Gabi. “I am extremely grateful for the recognition and funding from Catholic Extension, which will help us continue our work and supply this facility with essential technology for the programs we plan to offer to local residents and families.”