Sister Elizabeth Segleau, SDS
Advocate for Immigrants

Sister Elizabeth (Liza) Segleau, SDS,  a graduate of Mount Mary College in social work,  ministers to immigrants  through the social outreach of Catholic Charities in Milwaukee.

"Working with U.S. immigration policies has always been complex, but since September 11, it's even harder, " Sister Liza said. " I feel one of the most important roles is to be an advocate  for immigrants because the Department of Immigration is not very friendly. It's a difficult system to work with."

Sister Liza participates in chat room sessions on two Catholic Web Sites answering questions from young people contemplating life in a religious community. She believes that it is often helpful for the discerner  to talk to someone who faced the same situation.

Born  in New York,  Sister Liza was 9 when her family moved to a Costa Rican coffee farm.  When she was 17, her mother began suffering a series of strokes. When her father moved to the United States, she became her mother's  primary care giver.  She dropped out of school and landed part-time secretarial jobs.  But the principal of her high school, a Sister of St. Joseph,  tracked her down and arranged for her to attend night classes to earn a diploma. Sister Liza was overwhelmed with her kindness.

Once she accepted the decision of a vocation, she entered the God Shepherd Sisters in Costa Rica. After her mother broke her leg and needed care, Sister left them to take care of her mother.  Her mother, before her death several months later, urged Sister Liza to stay with family members in the U.S. and continue looking for a religious order to join.

Sister Liza followed her advice.  In Milwaukee she met a Salvatorian Sister. She was impressed with the international order's strong network of men and women religious and Lay Salvatorians.

She made her First Vows with the Sisters of the Divine Savior in Milwaukee in 1998. Sister Liza fulfilled her dream of professing Final Vows on July 27, 2003. "I have dreamed of making Final Vows. I have God, a nice community, a good ministry and everything I always wanted," she said.

She added that on days when she is experiencing burnout from her ministry, she finds great comfort with the community of sisters with whom she lives. They affirm her work and support her (and the families) with prayer.

"Community has been my salvation. I have always been interested in this type work. I was an active volunteer in my parish but needed something more. As a woman religious, I can work within and for the Church and live in community with women who share the same commitment and zeal. This option has given me life. For me, my First Vows were my final vows. "