Following the remarkable achievements of the alumnae of Catholic Extension Society’s U.S.-Latin American Sisters Exchange Program, a new group of religious sisters are set to begin the next chapter. Earlier this year, 31 sisters arrived in the United States to serve for the next five year’s as part of our program.
In the first days of the sisters’ orientation, we introduced them to a host of different activities and foods popular in American culture that they may encounter in their time here. Check out the photos from their experiences to see what happened!
Their first real taste of America
During orientation, the Latin American Sisters were offered a full menu of different foods popular across different regions of the United States. These included established, classic entrees such as biscuits and gravy and chicken and waffles. The latter had Sisters Mayra Elizabeth Fernández Meza of the Franciscan Sisters of the Crucified Jesus, Iraís Virgen Santiago Santos of the Dominican Sisters of Christian Doctrine, Janeth Zuluaga Giraldo of the Daughters of the Annunciation, and Gaby Pérez of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, eager to dig in. They are pictured below from left to right.
Catholic Extension Society is based in Chicago, so, we also introduced the sisters to the famous Chicago-style hot dog. It’s ingredients include mustard, white onions, relish, sliced tomatoes, celery salt, pickled sport peppers, and a dill pickle spear. Below, Sister Iraís, who has come to the United States from Mexico as part of the program, takes notice of the many different toppings on this Midwest creation.
Many of the sisters had never before had that last ingredient that tops off the Chicago-styled hot dog – the dill pickle. We provided a jar so they could give it a taste test on its own. From left to right, Sisters Angélica “Gely” Gutiérrez of the The Servants of the Immaculate Conception, Ana Maria Giraldo Alzate of the Daughters of the Annunciation, Modesta “Modes” Rocha Ocampos of the Company of Saint Teresa of Jesus, and Sandra Milena Valdes Londoño of the Bethlemite Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, give them a try. Sister Ana Maria, here in the U.S. from Colombia, was especially excited for her next bite.
And for dessert, what’s more quintessential to the American experience than Apple pie? Sister Ada Consuelo Ramírez Martínez of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Perpetual Help came to the United States from Honduras and will serve in the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas, as part of the exchange program. Below she gets her first taste of real American pie.
Learning the ‘Hail Mary’
After their food tour, the new group of Catholic sisters in the exchange program tried out some beloved American sports. This included a lesson in American football. Below, Sister “Lulú” María de Lourdes Sedano Mendoza, a sister of The Servants of the Immaculate Conception in Mexico, looks to pass downfield.
Though the pass landed incomplete, Sister Lulú will definitely be getting wins for the Church by serving in the Diocese of Boise, Idaho, during her time in the program.
After learning to throw, the sister’s were taught how to line up in offensive and defensive formations. This all led to a mini football scrimmage. Check out the video below highlighting their first lessons in American football released prior to Super Bowl Sunday earlier this year.
Throwing strikes and sinking putts
Following their football scrimmage, the sisters broke off into two groups to take on two more popular American recreation activities: bowling and mini golf.
At the bowling alley, Sister Yesenia Solano Lamadrid of the Daughters of the Annunciation sizes up her shot, while Sister Gaby sends hers down the lane.
Meanwhile on the golf course, Sister Ada Consuelo and Sister Oneida Martínez, another sister of The Servants of the Immaculate Conception, look to navigate the tunnels leading to the hole. Ultimately, they found success!
An introduction filled with singing, dancing and joy
The latest group of women religious in the program are already developing close relationships with one another. They passionately use music in their ministry. The sisters shared a song and dance that they coreographed with Catholic Extension Society supporters at a dinner in Naples, Florida, earlier this year.
The lyrics described their calling as missionaries and were set to a catchy Latin rhythm called “Cumbia.”
We are excited for the next five years with this latest group of Catholic sisters and are looking forward to not only the incredible impact they will have on faith communities across the country, but also seeing them grow as leaders through the opportunities the program provides. They will undoubtedly come across many more American cultural experiences in the dioceses they are serving throughout the United States. Check back here for more photos and videos!
This story appears in the Summer 2024 edition of Extension magazine. The U.S.-Latin American Sisters Exchange Program is made possible thanks to the generosity of our donors. Please consider supporting our mission!
