MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT: Sister Francine Koehler
Pastoral Minister of Care and Hispanic Ministries
Sacred Heart Parish, Columbia, Missouri

Bio Box
Birthplace: St. Louis
Hidden talent: Making homemade greeting cards
Family background: Parents are at Mother of Good Counsel Home in St. Louis. 1 brother, 3 sisters
Quote to live by: “If the only prayer you ever said was ‘thank you’, that would be enough.” –Mother McCauley
Your idea of a perfect day would be…a longer dawn to pray, and a longer evening to work outside
Last book you read: Trinity by Leon Uris
Best personality trait: Ability to adapt to the present situation, to the unexpected

Q. What does your role as pastoral minister of care and Hispanic ministries involve?

A. As pastoral minister of care ministries, I manage recruiting, training and coordinating Eucharistic ministers to the sick and homebound. I also arrange for Anointing of the Sick twice a year to homebound and parishioners in residential care facilities. Hispanic Ministries involves responding to the needs of the Hispanic community especially their spiritual and sacramental needs. As pastoral minister of Hispanic ministries, I handle the following:
• recruiting and training liturgical ministers
• sacramental preparation for children and adults
• efforts to integrate English-speaking and Spanish-speaking parishioners through liturgical, cultural and social events such as the Pentecost Multicultural Celebration, Ash Wednesday and November 2nd liturgies, Family Fun Nights, etc.

Q. How do you extend the charism through your ministry?

A. I strive to help the elderly and homebound to feel they are an important part of parish life. I also make an effort to recognize, invite, and include all people to share their gifts in furthering Jesus’ mission.

Q. Name one thing about your ministry people might not know.

A. That both the elderly and new immigrants are very mobile groups, making updated contact information a challenge

Q. What is the greatest need in your ministry?

A. Identifying and developing leadership among the Hispanic community

Q. What is the most fulfilling aspect of your ministry?

A. Bringing people together; inching closer toward true unity within our diversity