October 22, 2025 // Diocese

Hispanic Religious Community Formally Established in Diocese

Kasia Balsbaugh

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend officially has a new religious community. A special Mass establishing the Hermanas Misioneras Siervas del Divino Espíritu (Missionary Sisters of the Divine Spirit) was held on Monday, October 13. The well-attended liturgy took place at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elkhart, which has a large Hispanic community.

The three sisters now working in the diocese are: Sister María Eugenia Gomez Duque, associate director of Hispanic ministry for the diocese; Sister Magaly Jaramillo Restrepo, pastoral associate at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Goshen; and Sister Ruth Sagastume Escalante, pastoral associate at Our Lady of Hungary Parish in South Bend. The sisters live together in the recently renovated convent on the grounds of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Elkhart.

The three sisters were joined at the Mass by many other members of their community, as well as sisters from religious orders already established in the diocese.

While Bishop Rhoades was unable to celebrate the welcome Mass, Father Matthew Coonan, pastor of St. Henry Catholic Church in Fort Wayne and vicar for clergy of the diocese, stepped in for him as the principal celebrant.

The Mass was celebrated entirely in Spanish, with the homily given in a combination of Spanish and English.

In the homily, Father Coonan focused on the religious vocation as a witness to Christians’ future life in heaven, including in the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

“The consecrated religious vocation is one that is a sign in the Church that foretells our heavenly hope,” Father Coonan said.

After the homily, Father Coonan and the order’s Superior General, Sister María Consuelo Monsalve, each signed a document formally establishing the community in the diocese.