After serving at St. Elizabeth’s Parish in the Fort Washington area of New York City for eleven years, Sr. Celia acknowledged that leaving the parish was difficult. However, after a time, the former pastor at St. Elizabeth’s, Fr. Rudy Goncales, who had been assigned as pastor at St. Joseph’s Parish in Spring Valley, Rockland County, New York, called and offered her a part time position there. The parish has a large Hispanic community – a joy for Sr. Celia who hails from Spain. “There are 32 nationalities represented in our parish. There is such a variety – as colorful as can be. I call it the United Nations!” said Sr. Celia.

Her responsibilities at St. Joseph’s are many and varied. When she first arrived in Spring Valley, she conducted adult religious education classes in Spanish. Soon thereafter, her purview grew to include Confirmation classes in Spanish for high school students; Confirmation classes for adults in English; seventh and eighth grade classes preparing for Reconciliation and Holy Communion – these are attended largely by Haitians and some Hispanics. Additionally, she engages in Catechist training in Spanish and will also be assuming the training for the parish’s Eucharistic Ministers. Sr. Celia shared that she has a Master’s Degree in Theology and it feels so good to be in a setting where I can apply my education.

The parish is vibrant. There are currently six or seven priests with whom she collaborates. Of these, four are from Nigeria and are studying in the States. There are 5,000 parishioners and on any given Sunday there are three masses in different languages going on at the same time on the parish campus – in the gym, the church and the chapel.

“I feel so welcome there. I feel so good. I want to be there to make a difference,” said Sr. Celia.

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