DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Sister Irene Munoz papers, 1973-2006 | 2006-07-15 Ottumwa Courier Article: ""A Golden Anniversary for Sister Irene"" Con't. from page A1

Transcribe
Translate

Sister Irene Munoz papers, 1973-2006

2006-07-15 Ottumwa Courier Article: ""A Golden Anniversary for Sister Irene"" Con't. from page A1

50 years serving God's people

SISTER MUÑOZ: Continued from Page A1

how to take care of people and how to feed them, how to clean them. She did it with so much love and compassion that I used to say, 'I want to be just like you, Jessica.' she was my role model."

During the reign of Pope John XXIII, around 1961, many things changed in the church. Before that time, once a woman decided to become a nun, it was for life. The habits had to be worn at all times and they were not allowed to do anything without permission, including visiting their relatives.

"We were only allowed to visit our family every three years", says Sister Muñoz in a quiet and serious tone. Then, her mood changes. With much enthusiasm she tells, "everything changed after the Second Vatican, the church opened up. Pope John [XXIII] made many changes. The communities modifies their habits and the sisters were encouraged to mix more with the people, to live among them and to help them."

She tells of how scared many nuns were when they went from living a rutinary life to learning how to live a social life.

She says she was very timid and it is difficult to see Sister Muñoz as scared. It was until she joined the Farm Workers Organization in 1968, that she started speaking up after seeing many injustices being made.

Sister Muñoz is a member of the Human Rights committee, Healthy Communities, Diversity Group and Hispanic Ministry Meeting of the Dioceses. She had to stop various others because of lack of time.

By circumstances, by destiny, by faith, she was destined to work with immigrants. She left the country at a time when many migrant farm workers were arriving to become missionary in Ecuador. There, her faith was tested when she saw poor conditions that people lived under. she says she even questioned if God existed.

Months later, her father was diagnosed with throat cancer and she returned home.

While back in the United States, she became a great asset to the immigrant population.

She remembers how they were called the "good nuns" that came to pray for the immigrant people and how after confronting several farmers for the inhumane treatment they were giving workers, they were called "those damn nuns".

It was a maturing time for her a she confronted the reality of the living conditions for migrant workers. she helped push for the Migrant Health & Housing Law and the Child Labor Law.

when working with the farm workers, she met Juan Cadena, a social labor activist who wasn't afraid to speak up about anything. In part, that gave her courage to speak up for what she believed in.

During a time when names like Juan were changed to John and Spanish was not being taught so that kids could better integrate themselves within American culture, "I think that this was God's way of telling me that I needed to work with my people," she says. 

Sister Muñoz is also a Pastoral Minister, something that she is very proud of. Before, the only things that women could do at the altar was clean it.

That was another change of the Second Vatican that favored women within the religious community. With that energy and will to help, it would not be a surprise seeing Sister Irene as the first female priest if the church would permit.

"I like learning from people," she says. "You can learn a lot from the people even from the poorest person. You just need to have an open mind and listen,"

After working with immigrant people for years and before coming to Ottumwa, she studied to be a chaplain, to work with the sick and dying. "I really liked doing that and I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing that. I was Chaplain Muñoz," she says proudly.

She credits two Ottumwans, Mary Ann Reiter and Millie Rodgers who asked Father Robert Striegel to make some preparations to welcome the newcomers. The Excel company had announced it was bringing in out of town workers. A group of people along with Mayor Dale Uehling were forming committees to have a smooth transition for everyone.

Reiter met Sister Muñoz back in 1970 when she was a volunteer at a health clinic established by the church for the farm migrant workers. They have been friends ever since then, together they had created many services for the people and at the time were visiting once a month.

Reiter says that the position was tailored around Sister Irene.

"She is always cheerful, always sees the best in everybody, and she's very generous of her time." Reiter adds, "She has been coaching us for a year before accepting the position."

After that, the word got around. Maybe the only Spanish word they knew how to say at the time was "Madre - Mother," Sister Muñoz says. "On the day I arrived, there was a whole line of people waiting for the 'Madre'."

She worked non-stop for months, with no days off, serving as a nun and as the town interpreter until the church ordered her to take a day off and work only 40 hours a week. But that gave her time to teach religious education to young and old and to serve more in the community. Her position with the Multi-cultural Ministries of Ottumwa is financed by St. Patrick and St. Mary of the Visitation, but works out of St. Mary's. 

Sister Muñoz helps the newcomers with their initial integration into the community. She is so good at it that some have said it makes people too dependent on her.

When about who would take over her position if she decided to leave, she says, "It doesn't have to be a nun. This is a job for anyone who wants to help people."

On her first days on the job, she had a line of people waiting for her help.

With 50 years dedicated to God and his people, there is much more to say about her.

But today ... she has a line of people waiting for her.

Saving...

50 years serving God's people SISTER MUÑOZ: Continued from Page A1 how to take care of people and how to feed them, how to clean them. She did it with so much love and compassion that I used to say, 'I want to be just like you, Jessica.' she was my role model." During the reign of Pope John XXIII, around 1961, many things changed in the church. Before that time, once a woman decided to become a nun, it was for life. The habits had to be worn at all times and they were not allowed to do anything without permission, including visiting their relatives. "We were only allowed to visit our family every three years", says Sister Muñoz in a quiet and serious tone. Then, her mood changes. With much enthusiasm she tells, "everything changed after the Second Vatican, the church opened up. Pope John [XXIII] made many changes. The communities modifies their habits and the sisters were encouraged to mix more with the people, to live among them and to help them." She tells of how scared many nuns were when they went from living a rutinary life to learning how to live a social life. She says she was very timid and it is difficult to see Sister Muñoz as scared. It was until she joined the Farm Workers Organization in 1968, that she started speaking up after seeing many injustices being made. Sister Muñoz is a member of the Human Rights committee, Healthy Communities, Diversity Group and Hispanic Ministry Meeting of the Dioceses. She had to stop various others because of lack of time. By circumstances, by destiny, by faith, she was destined to work with immigrants. She left the country at a time when many migrant farm workers were arriving to become missionary in Ecuador. There, her faith was tested when she saw poor conditions that people lived under. she says she even questioned if God existed. Months later, her father was diagnosed with throat cancer and she returned home. While back in the United States, she became a great asset to the immigrant population. She remembers how they were called the "good nuns" that came to pray for the immigrant people and how after confronting several farmers for the inhumane treatment they were giving workers, they were called "those damn nuns". It was a maturing time for her a she confronted the reality of the living conditions for migrant workers. she helped push for the Migrant Health & Housing Law and the Child Labor Law. when working with the farm workers, she met Juan Cadena, a social labor activist who wasn't afraid to speak up about anything. In part, that gave her courage to speak up for what she believed in. During a time when names like Juan were changed to John and Spanish was not being taught so that kids could better integrate themselves within American culture, "I think that this was God's way of telling me that I needed to work with my people," she says. Sister Muñoz is also a Pastoral Minister, something that she is very proud of. Before, the only things that women could do at the altar was clean it. That was another change of the Second Vatican that favored women within the religious community. With that energy and will to help, it would not be a surprise seeing Sister Irene as the first female priest if the church would permit. "I like learning from people," she says. "You can learn a lot from the people even from the poorest person. You just need to have an open mind and listen," After working with immigrant people for years and before coming to Ottumwa, she studied to be a chaplain, to work with the sick and dying. "I really liked doing that and I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing that. I was Chaplain Muñoz," she says proudly. She credits two Ottumwans, Mary Ann Reiter and Millie Rodgers who asked Father Robert Striegel to make some preparations to welcome the newcomers. The Excel company had announced it was bringing in out of town workers. A group of people along with Mayor Dale Uehling were forming committees to have a smooth transition for everyone. Reiter met Sister Muñoz back in 1970 when she was a volunteer at a health clinic established by the church for the farm migrant workers. They have been friends ever since then, together they had created many services for the people and at the time were visiting once a month. Reiter says that the position was tailored around Sister Irene. "She is always cheerful, always sees the best in everybody, and she's very generous of her time." Reiter adds, "She has been coaching us for a year before accepting the position." After that, the word got around. Maybe the only Spanish word they knew how to say at the time was "Madre - Mother," Sister Muñoz says. "On the day I arrived, there was a whole line of people waiting for the 'Madre'." She worked non-stop for months, with no days off, serving as a nun and as the town interpreter until the church ordered her to take a day off and work only 40 hours a week. But that gave her time to teach religious education to young and old and to serve more in the community. Her position with the Multi-cultural Ministries of Ottumwa is financed by St. Patrick and St. Mary of the Visitation, but works out of St. Mary's. Sister Muñoz helps the newcomers with their initial integration into the community. She is so good at it that some have said it makes people too dependent on her. When about who would take over her position if she decided to leave, she says, "It doesn't have to be a nun. This is a job for anyone who wants to help people." On her first days on the job, she had a line of people waiting for her help. With 50 years dedicated to God and his people, there is much more to say about her. But today ... she has a line of people waiting for her.