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Women Leaders in the Ignatian Family

Silvia Jimenez

Institution: St. Patrick's Congregation

Title: Parish Life Director

Location: Milwaukee

Do you have any other Jesuit institutional connections?
I was office assistant at Nativity Jesuit Academy and facilitator at Casa Romero Renewal Center, both of which are Jesuit institutions in Milwaukee. 

What does your job entail?
I serve as the lay administrator of the parish, directing all aspects of operation, serving to implement the purpose and vision of the parish, and assuming responsibility for the day-to-day management of all parish matters at Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Patrick’s Parishes. 

What is your favorite part of your job?
The opportunity to share my faith with people who need help to stay faithful to God’s love. 

What is one of the challenges you’re facing right now?
The language barrier is my challenge; I seek to share and learn from people who speak a language that I have not mastered. 

How does Ignatian spirituality shape your approach to work?
I seek in every activity and moment to love and serve my neighbor, seeking to support even more those who are most unprotected, marginalized or forgotten. 

What’s one of your favorite quotes about leadership or the best leadership advice you’ve ever received?
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” –Madre Teresa 

Any last thoughts you’d like to share?
I had the fortune of immigrating to a city where I was able to continue to strengthen my Catholic faith in my native tongue and be part of a parish that offered me Ignatian spirituality. The Jesuit priest in charge at that moment helped me and my family feel welcomed and that God was walking with us in our journey as immigrants.