More than 4,300 School Sisters of Notre Dame serve in 35 countries on five continents. Being an international congregation is an important part of our identity.

Keeping the Faith With Diocese's Hispanic Community
Because of Sister Rose Ann Ficker, School Sister of Notre Dame, southern Minnesota's Hispanic population hears the Word of God in their first-language, Spanish. In a 1993 Escort, packed with Bibles, worship aids, religious education materials, crayons and kool-aid, coffee pots and coffee, Sister Rose Ann travels the distance of 20 counties as Catholic Charities' Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Winona in Minnesota.

Busy year-round, her travel steps up during the summer. From May to September, migrant workers following the growing season come to Minnesota seeking seasonal work. During that time the Hispanic population in southern Minnesota's Steele County alone can increase by up to 1,000 people. Establishing a faith community for migrant workers and their families is an important part of Sister Rose Ann's ministry.

There are three camps for migrant workers in Steele County. At an outdoor picnic shelter in Carroll camp, Sister Rose Ann sets up for Sunday evening Mass. Three young boys sweep leaves and branches from the shelter floor, while two others walk along the edge of the bean field looking for flowers for the altar. Coffee perks in one of the concrete blockhouses next to the shelter - socializing after Mass is an important part of the evening and the Hispanic culture.

Earlier in the day Sister Rose Ann assisted Father Tom Jennings, pastor at Sacred Heart Church, Owatonna, in a baptism. As family and friends gathered, she explained in both Spanish and English, "We are all children of God whether we are Hispanic or Anglo, Asian or Black. We are part of God's family."

Sister Rose Ann believes local parishes need to "reach out and minister more fully to the Hispanic population."

They can do this, she explains, by "providing more bilingual opportunities within parishes, along with leadership training resources, as well as empowering members of the Hispanic community to help minister to each other."

As a School Sister of Notre Dame, Sister Rose Ann is committed to reaching out to people in need. She "loves the Latino culture, the simplicity and depth of their faith" and adds, "It's in my heart."

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