Sister Barbara Pfarr, SSND

• Professed 1976
• Present Ministry: Executive Director of the Chicago Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice

My interest in religious life began while I was in high school in Kenosha. There were a number of SSND's in my home parish who had to go to the motherhouse in Mequon most every weekend because they were involved in committees to revise the constitutions and life of the congregation. It was the "renewal time" immediately after Vatican II. I would drive them there after school on Fridays and pick them up Sunday afternoons. I was impressed by how animated they were as we drove: discussing, visioning, questioning, and debating. From the minute they got into the car, they were completely engaged in fashioning a life of faith, community and service. I wanted a committed lifestyle that was as engaging and meaningful as theirs seemed to be.

My life in SSND has been such. Since I was professed in 1976, I've been working with recent immigrants and the working poor in Milwaukee, south Florida and Chicago. A colleague once introduced me as "Sister Barbara, our community organizer." The other woman blinked and asked if that meant I organize the social events for the sisters! I do that. But more to the point, I educate, organize and mobilize low-income people to negotiate with public decision-makers for improved services in their communities. Our SSND Constitution calls it "education in its broadest sense." We define it as ministry that helps people have all they need for a fully human life, and helps them use their gifts to assure the same for all others.

Currently, I'm the executive director of the Chicago Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice. We have various programs to engage the religious community in activities and campaigns that improve wages, benefits and working conditions for low wageworkers. I feel blessed to have always had meaningful work, as well as colleagues, community members, and friends who are committed and faith-driven. Also, I find that the sisters, who entered before I did, continue to animate and inspire me. No matter the age, our sisters continue to "chew" on life: discussing, visioning, questioning, and debating. If you're looking for a committed, faith-driven, meaningful lifestyle, you can find it here.

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