Five more Holy Spirit sisters from India to serve in the Diocese of Sioux City

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
May 12, 2005

For several years, members of the Holy Spirit Community have served in the Diocese of Sioux City. Five more sisters from India arrived in Iowa at the Sioux Gateway Airport on May 4.

According to Father Jim McCormick, pastor at Holy Spirit Church in Carroll, the sisters came with R-1 visas that will allow them to work in a religious institution for five years.

As secular institute member of Opus Spiritus Sancti (Holy Spirit Community) and as the former international rector, Father McCormick helped bring the sisters to the diocese.

"Part of our hope is that we build up these communities," he noted. "Our goal is to get eight sisters in Carroll and probably five at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City - for a nice community."

Prior to the sisters' arrival, there were three other Indian sisters presently serving in Carroll and there was only one left in Sioux City. Two sisters who had served in Sioux City recently went back to India. In addition, there are two Holy Spirit priests from India serving in Carroll as well as seven Holy Spirit sisters from Tanzania, Africa.

"This is a great need. It is wonderful to have religious sisters working in our Catholic institutions," said Father McCormick. "They have that element of dedication, commitment and concern for the spiritual needs of residents."

Secondly, he noted, the Holy Spirit Communities in the sisters' own country have limited financial resources. When the sisters work here, they send the bulk of their salaries back home to their struggling and growing communities.

"Thirdly, they learn skills here that will be useful for them when they go back to their home country. It includes driving, computer skills and using the latest in modern medicine," explained Father McCormick.

Sister Lizet, who works as a certified nurse assistant (CNA) at St. Anthony's, is entering her fifth year of service in Carroll. She pointed out that one of the greatest struggles when coming to a new country is the language barrier. For the new arrivals to the country, she recommends that they jump right in and mingle with the people.

"If you talk to the people, you can learn the language fast. I learned that way," she said.

By serving in Iowa, she said it does provide great financial help for her religious community.

Sister Rose, a Holy Spirit sister from India, mentioned that in addition to the financial assistance they can send to their mission community in India, their presence is of spiritual value to the people here - especially to lay members of the Holy Spirit Community. She has been in Sioux City for nine years. Sister Rose works as a certified medical assistant (CMA) at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City.

"It's nice to see the community growing here - the Opus family," she said.

While she will give the new sisters tips about the food, climate and so forth, Sister Rose is confident the transition will go smoothly for them, as there are many supportive and welcoming people.

Several members of the lay community came to the airport to meet the sisters arriving from India.

Two of the new arrivals - Sister Anseena and Sister Laila - will work at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City. The other three - Sister Santhi, Sister Rositta and Sister Therese - will serve at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

This will be the second extended stay in Sioux City for Sister Laila as she worked at Holy Spirit Retirement Home for five years from 1996 to 2001. She will work as a CMA and the others will be trained as CNAs.

"I was so happy to see everyone here," said Sister Laila, just minutes after her arrival at the airport. "I am so happy to come back here because the people are really nice."

Father McCormick mentioned that if it were not for the help of Senator Tom Harkin, the women might not be here. When they were having difficulty securing visas, the senator contacted the U.S. Consulate in Chennai (Madras) and urged them to take a hard look at their applications. In the end, the visas came through.

"He was of great help intervening for us," noted the priest.

At present, Father McCormick is again seeking the assistance of Senator Harkin as he hopes to arrange for the arrival of two more Holy Spirit sisters and one Holy Spirit priest from India.