For over 10 years Christine Rodriguez has been a lay partner with the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as government benefits coordinator. Though trained as a social worker, Christine’s background in working in domestic violence programs was a natural fit for the Sisters’ mission to meet the needs of women and children.
“I could feel it in my heart. I loved the sisters from the start,” Christine explains. “When you come to work and before you leave, they always say ‘God bless’ or ‘drive safely.’ It is such a welcoming experience.”
Christine also cherishes being able to share with her teenage daughter who the sisters are and all they have done. “I tell her these women paved the road for us,” she shares. “She was six when I started working here and Sister Patricia (the former congregational president) used to put mattresses and blankets down when my daughter had a sick day or a snow day. They care so much about the people around them.”
Christine, her husband and her daughter are family to the sisters. “There’s probably nothing I wouldn’t give them or do for them. How can you say no to people who really almost never say no to you?” she explains.
As benefits coordinator, Christine needs to be ready for anything. Working beside the sisters is not just a job for her, it is a part of who she is. Even when she leaves the building, she doesn’t leave the mission behind as she may get a call on an evening or weekend or holiday and is ready to respond as needed.
“Every sister is an individual and every single sister you speak to in a different way. But it’s always done with the idea of bringing happiness to each one,” Christine says. “You want them to be happy because they make sure we are happy.”
Something she has learned is that “if you’re working with people you have to be aware that your world is different than the other person’s. As much as you love them and think you know what will be best for them, you have to let them decide.” Christine strives to explain the benefits or options available to empower each sister, but ultimately knows they have to decide what is best for themselves.
Part of Christine’s job is working with the social security administration to ensure that sisters can access their benefits. She also works with health insurance and prescription plans, as well as dental and vision insurance for the sisters. She does the paperwork so that the sisters don’t have to worry about doing it individually.
“A couple of years ago Medicare changed all their numbers and reassigned everyone new numbers. We realized our cards weren’t coming in,” Christine shares. She took the initiative to contact the person in charge of the Medicare program and explain the problems the sisters were having in getting their new cards. She got the response she was hoping for when someone from the Brooklyn office called. “She said I understand you reached out to the Medicare Services; we’re going to create a database and get these cards to you,” Christine shares.
Christine admires the attitude the sisters possess that says, “we can find a way to make it work; we’ll figure this out.” In an ever-changing world, the sisters continue to adapt to meet the needs around them. This ability is both an inspiration and a comfort to Christine and those who work beside her for the congregation.