Working together for justice is one of the hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today.

Once a year, many of our Sisters in North America who are working to ensure justice for the poor and oppressed meet to share their ministries. The 2005 meeting was held at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in San Diego, California, from June 23rd - 26th. Our Sisters who attended serve among homeless people, immigrants, prisoners, students, persons with HIV/AIDS, the unemployed, and the underemployed in different parts of North America. A trip into Mexico one day was a highlight for many attendees.

"Our first stop was along a very long border fence on which were nailed many crosses to honor the 3,000 who have died during the past 11 years trying to make their way across the border," explains Sister Justine Church. Walking along the fence, each Sister picked out the name of one person to pray for. "We then gathered together to pray for those who have died. It was a very moving experience!"

Our Sisters also visited the Colonia Fausto Gonzalez in Tijuana, Mexico. Sister Teresa Jaramillo has served in this garbage dump community for 12 years. With her help, a Women's Cooperative was established in the barrio in 1998. The Cooperative's building now houses a day care center, beauty shop, bakery, kitchen, and public showers.

"When we arrived at the Women's Cooperative, the women were feeding about 18 U.S. high school students who were helping to improve houses; those who receive help must in turn help 3 other families," explains Sister Justine. The recent legalization of the Cooperative as a non-profit entity "gives the women respect and a leadership standing in the community," Sister Teresa says.

"We were all educated on the great abundance of our commitments to justice, peace, and the integrity of creation," says Sister Justine about the annual meeting. "The sharing was truly awesome!"

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