DOMINICAN SISTER ROBIN RICHARD has no problem communicating her faith.

She does it in English, French, Spanish and song.

As coordinator of educational programs for the Archdiocese of New Orleans' Hispanic Apostolate, Sister Robin conducts classes in English as a Second Language, citizenship, English and Spanish literacy and Spanish as a Second language.

At the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at Tulane University Catholic Center's St. Thomas More parish, she strums a guitar and sings.

"I'm really energized by people with different cultures. It enriches me," she said of her students. "I enjoy watching their English proficiency get better"

Her students age 18 and over, come to the Hispanic Apostolate to learn from Sister Robin. Their nationalities and countries of origin are diverse.

"There are various reasons people may come to us," Sister Robin said. "First is to learn functional English to survive; how to communicate with a doctor, at the bank, post office or grocery store.

"Others have more specific goals to seek employment, get a high school diploma, learn English to become citizens, and some may want to go on to a university," she said.

Sister Robin said her first love was the French language, in which she has a degree, along with linguistics, from Tulane. She also gained a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in English as a Second Language and Adult Education, from the University of New Orleans in 1996.

Sister Robin said the needs of the church and community were catalysts for her present work.

"It's where I can best serve people given my gifts," she said. "I try to bring to my students what I have received in my own prayers. I try to treat each person as Jesus would have, with respect and dignity, and not teach religion, per se, but I try to let my words be a model."

Ron Brocato

In 2006, Sister Robin accepted an invitation to Hispanic Ministry with Dominican sisters in Chicago. We send her forth with our blessing, as we look forward to her visits home.