Twenty-five years ago, several sisters from the Mexico-based Daughters of Mary Immaculate of Guadalupe accepted a mission to teach at Immaculate Conception School in South Chicago.
Because of the cultural and language challenges the sisters would face, Springfield Dominican Sister Judine Hilbing was asked by Father Michael Enright to assume the leadership of the school while continuing as principal of nearby St. Michael’s.
Thus began the collaborative friendship between our community and Las Hijas—the Mexican sisters. Several Springfield Dominican Sisters supported Sister Judine’s accompaniment of Las Hijas. Sisters Patricia McDonald, Janet Guretz, Judith Hilbing, and June Volpe shared organizational skills, language instruction, tutoring, and the translation into English of Jose Antonio Plancarte’s pedagogical and spiritual documents. Sister June Volpe was a classroom teacher for the middle grades.
And so, 25 years later, filled with courage and confidence, Las Hijas celebrate their ongoing challenges and growth in South Chicago. We wish them all amazing blessings and ongoing friendship.
