Companion on the Journey

SISTER EMBRACES WORK AS ESL TUTOR TO IMMIGRANTS

The ministry journey of Sister Barbara Brown, OSF, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, U.S. Province, is indicative of how so many Catholic Sisters today serve the world in non-traditional roles. A former high school history teacher and retreat center director, Sister has found a different, fulfilling niche in recent years — as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor with ProJeCt of Easton, Pa.

ProJeCt uplifts low-income, at-risk residents of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley through education and community support, including adult ESL classes for non-native speakers and other programs to help immigrants prepare for U.S. citizenship. It began in 1968 with the efforts of Protestant, Jewish and Catholic leaders who focused on alleviating poverty in Northampton County — hence, ProJeCt (the T is actually a cross).

Sister Barbara was immediately inspired by the courage and resiliency of her ESL students, each with their own story to tell. “It’s truly an international community of learners,” she says of class rosters that have included folks from Lebanon, Morocco, Azerbaijan, Russia, Vietnam, China, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Ukraine.

However, illness followed by a knee replacement in January 2024 led her to believe it was time to resign her position as a classroom teacher of ESL for adults. So, with a heavy heart, she “retired.” “Teaching adult ESL classes is the best ministry I’ve ever had, but ESL students need consistency,” she says.

Sister hoped to eventually return to ProJeCt of Easton after her recuperation — but, perhaps, in a new capacity. With fortitude not unlike that of her students, Sister Barbara was back in the classroom just two months after her knee surgery, now as a tutor to ESL students with advanced English skills. 

Every Wednesday with Sister’s guidance, a group of four students presses onward in their shared aim to pass the CASAS test, the standard system for assessing adult basic reading, math, listening, writing and speaking skills. The small study group works hard to expand their vocabularies to include more challenging words and, as they work on sentence structure, they and write and rewrite paragraphs.

For a portion of each class, students also discuss the challenges of life in America and other topics. The conversations stretch their ability to speak and listen in English and help them to appreciate the journeys of people from other cultures. 

Sister Barbara’s students also explore American culture by studying the history and government of the United States. Several are on the path to become U.S. citizens, and many have already taken the Oath of Allegiance. It’s all part of ProJeCt’s efforts toward “building a better community by helping people help themselves through the power of education.”

Sister recognizes that there is, indeed, so much to learn — for her students and for her. “I teach them English,” she says. “They teach me about facing life with courage and hope.”