Georgetown event highlights sisters as 'living examples of Catholic social teaching'

Pimentel recalled an incident in which a woman who was steadfastly opposed to assistance to those she called "illegal aliens" came to a shelter in Brownsville, Texas. 

"The fact that she told me she was against what I was doing gave me the opportunity to shift and tell her, 'Look, let me show you what I do and why.' When I did that, her whole thought of why she was against [assistance] completely dismantled and she said, 'You know sister, I am 100% in favor of what you are doing.' " It didn't matter anymore, Pimentel said, that "these people were, according to her initially, 'illegal aliens.' All of a sudden, they became persons. They became people. I think that is what brings us together."

Further excerpts from the conversation follow:

Sr. Pauline Acayo: Asked how she views her vocation, Acayo said that she feels the "direct spirit of God" and that such spirit "protects our ministries amidst confusion, conflict or moral decay." Counseling children affected by war and reintegrating them into the community are examples of "self-giving" and also work of "commitment and collaboration" with partners and community stakeholders. In such work, she said, she and others feel "God's guidance every day."

A cornerstone of Acayo's work — in committing herself "to the life to serve God and his people" — is in "giving life to the hopeless, those in need and being the voice of the voiceless and, most of all, empowering the most vulnerable in the community." 

This is all rooted and grounded, Acayo said, in the principles of Catholic social teaching, which she said "calls us to be attentive to the needs of the poor, and care for the hurt and defend and promote the dignity of the human person and to help spiritual and material needs." She added: "Catholic social teaching is the foundation for our guiding principles."

Sr. Rosemary Nyirumbe: Nyirumbe said when she first arrived at her mission in northern Uganda she had to "read the signs of the times" and respond to the needs of "vulnerable women and children who are escaping from rebel captivity." She said she had to "think about what would be done in order to mend their brokenness, in order to show them the path of tomorrow — the future of hope."

For that reason, she said, she had to create programs from scratch. "I had to become active, innovative and make sure I lead by example. Of course, many times when we ascend as sisters we always think of the job descriptions. [But] I found the job description was not working for me. I had to create my job description … [to] create different activities and lead by example."

Asked about balancing her ministry with her spiritual life, Nyirumbe said she believes it is important to keep all together and to do so within the larger life of her community. "That means what I am doing must align with the cause of my congregation," she said, "caring for the poor, working with the vulnerable and caring for orphans and refugees."

She added: "That is what brings me the balance. I am not doing anything outside of what my congregation requires. For me, that's exactly the balance. That is my spiritual path."

Sr. Norma Pimentel: Pimentel said that from her experience and those of other sisters, it is "important that our presence is a visible presence of the love of God for his people," being present "so that we can empower others to have the confidence they need to move forward in doing good. To be able to be involved in care for others. To care for one another." 

Pimentel said she realizes that her ministry in helping immigrants and refugees (or migrants) comes at a moment when the United States is now "a very divisive and polarized country" about immigration immigrants and that "many are fearful of the fact that so many people migrate to the United States."

"It becomes very controversial as to whether we should respond to help," she said. "I always say, 'We are hijacked by the political platforms that try to build a narrative that brings fear to us and to many of the people here in our country.' " 

One thing that religious like herself "hold closely" is the belief in "defending humanity. Protecting life. Being present to those who are hurting and suffering" and need basics like water and food and shelter. Their lives matter, Pimentel said. 

"We have a responsibility to one another. We have a responsibility to humanity and to care. That is a God-given call to all of us to care for one another. And to defend human dignity and respect human life," she said. 

Pimentel said she tries to steer clear from "the political, the force that is trying to destroy" as well as trying "not to be distracted."

Her centeredness "needs to come from God."

"God needs to be the force that pulls me forward and sustains me in one direction which is the love and care of others," she said. 

Sr. Patricia Ryan: Asked how she views the vocation of sisters, Ryan said certain elements — three in all — must mesh together. One is the preferential option for the poor — of living and working and joining with the poor. "You have to walk together. That option is not optional. It's an essential part of our commitment as Christians. We can't put it aside and say we may not be involved with that. It is who we have to be as Christians." 

The second dimension, she said, would be "the care for our common home. We call her mother Earth and (on whom) our lives depend." Citing the second creation story in the Book of Genesis, which Ryan said is aligned with Francis' thinking on the earth, Ryan said the biblical mandate "calls us to care for the earth and cultivate the earth as our home. Our common home. We have to protect her."

The third dimension is respect for "the nonviolent option" in dealing with conflicting situations. "Knowing there's a way that is nonviolent that can be created," she said. "We have to be a part of creating that new way of approaching life and approaching conflict in a way that is not going to cause violence or death."

Asked about sisters' presence in the communities in which they live and work, such as the Indigenous communities in Peru, Ryan said, "Our presence makes visible God's love. And being present with people [becomes] a mutual celebration of our spirituality" of both the community members and the sisters. All are "joined together in moments of great joy as well as great sorrow. It's being there and being part of those celebrations and part of the grief, too. Your life becomes one."