In August of 2002, three Guadalupan Missionaries of the Holy Spirit arrived in the Diocese of Birmingham to minister to the local Hispanic community. The missionaries, Sisters Ernestina Hernández, Candelaria Hernández, and Rosa María Reyes, were welcomed to the diocese by Bishop David E. Foley, the third Bishop of Birmingham, and Al Manzella, director of Catholic Social Services.

Once they arrived, they hit the ground running, learning about the people and places of the diocese. The first major project the sisters led was “a little house” in Hoover, which was offered by then Mayor Barbara McCollum. It was at this house that the sisters began their ministry in the diocese, assisting day laborers.

Over the course of the next 20 years, the “little house,” or “La Casita” as it is now known, evolved into a ministry that has included citizenship classes, an Immigration Assistance Program, primary and secondary adult education, women’s groups, spiritual guidance, penitentiary ministry, English classes, document translation, income tax preparation, food distribution, and financial assistance to pay rent, power bills, etc. The sisters also formed Misión Sacerdotal Guadalupana, which has assisted the Hispanic communities of Holy Spirit in Huntsville, Annunciation of the Lord in Decatur, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Haleyville, Our Lady of the Valley in Fort Payne, St. Jude in Scottsboro, Chapel of the Holy Cross in Albertville, St. Peter the Apostle and Prince of Peace in Hoover, Holy Spirit in Tuscaloosa, St. Mark in Ashland, Resurrection in Clanton, St. Joseph in Ensley, St. Thomas in Montevallo, St. Francis Xavier in Birmingham, St. Jude in Sylacauga, Sacred Heart in Anniston, and St. John in Alexander City.

All the good works translated into needing more help. To meet the needs of the people, more sisters were needed. Sisters Felícitas Almanza, Octavia Ortega, Obdulia Olivar, Josefa García, Antonieta Zapata, Ma. Eugenia Moreno, Rosa Hernández and Edith Lugo have all served the diocese and its people.

Today, La Casita is located in Homewood with Sisters Juventina Garcia, Martha Elena Perez, Rosa Cruz-Plaza and Rosa Maria Reyes leading the way of service. “God’s providence has never failed us,” remarked Sister Rosa Maria Reyes. “We, the sisters … feel grateful for being instruments and being able to do for our brothers and sisters, by way of the Works of Mercy, that He Himself invites us to carry out … We give thanks to God for our vocation and to be consecrated to Him, to be missionaries, especially here in the Diocese of Birmingham … God is faithful in His promise and His gifts have been with us always.”