Page 19 - Spring 2019 Extension Magazine

Extension | Spring 2019 19

SISTER SANDRA ANN SILVA

EMPOWERING

INDIGENOUS WOMEN

ing with the Oaxacan Action Group
and the Binational Center for Devel-
opment of Oaxacan Indigenous
Communities. She also holds work-
shops to educate others about the
Oaxacans.
Growing up on a farm in the San
Joaquin Valley in California, she
helped the Sisters of the Holy Fam-
ily work with the area’s migrants. Her
father was not happy when she later
In Watsonville, wanted to join the congregation, but
California, Sister she knew where her heart belonged.
Sandra Silva, SHF, With her father’s eventual blessing,
ministers to migrants she took her final vows in 1973.
from Oaxaca, Mex-
ico, mentoring to She has served several communi-
women and children. ties in Nevada, California and Micho-
acán, Mexico. Following an assign-
ment as chancellor and vicar for
A sister in the Diocese of Monterey brings dignity religious in the Diocese of Fresno,
to a vulnerable community she and her order’s leadership team
visited Oaxaca, immersing them-
or more than 50 years, Sis- when she saw many come to Church selves in its beautiful culture and
ter Sandra Ann Silva, SHF, but sit quietly in the back. Addition- learning a bit of its language. She
has been a tireless, trust- ally, she went out to the surrounding resolved to work with the Oaxacans
worthy presence for doz- neighborhoods to invite the indige- and found her opportunity in Wat-
Fens of faith communities, nous population to join the parish. sonville.
primarily in the Southwest. For the Sister Silva has focused on Since creating her position in
last 12 years, she has ministered to women. Many confront domestic 2010 as pastoral coordinator, Cath-
migrant families in Watsonville, Cali- abuse and alcoholic husbands, and olic Extension has supported her
fornia, who are far from home and liv- she saw that in the presence of their ministry. She believes her continu-
ing in poverty. “I want them to know husbands, they did not speak. She ity in the parish allows her to form
they are not alone,” she said. empowers them, and helps them long-term relationships. “Some-
As pastoral coordinator at Our network with other women through- times structures and rules can
Lady of the Assumption Church, she visits and classes. She listens, con- become more important than heart
serves an agricultural community soles and tends to their self-esteem. and humanity,” she said. “I focus on
from Oaxaca, Mexico. Many were “I am a mother to them,” she said. people, so that their daily strug-
baptized Catholic, but few have had She helps integrate the Oaxacans gles and suffering are not forgot-
faith formation. She first realized this into the larger community by work- ten.”