During the 1980s, the
apostolic efforts of the sisters were focused on social justice
issues. Much effort was expended in housing Central American
refugees at the motherhouse and in providing various services
for them.
The congregation was a founding
member of Texas Coalition for Responsible Investments and
of Camino a la Paz, a collaborative effort of religious congregations
in the San Antonio area to promote peace and justice. In 1987,
for their efforts in promoting social justice, the Holy Spirit
Sisters were given the first Camino Peace and Justice Award.
In 1983, the sisters donated
3.5 acres of land adjacent to the motherhouse for low-income
housing. A city block, located in Beaumont and owned by the
sisters, was donated to Habitat for Humanity in 1989. Both
of these properties are currently under development by Habitat
for Humanity and will result in 36 new affordable housing
units.
In 1984, in response to an
earlier call of the Church for missionaries, the sisters returned
to ministry in Oaxaca where they provide pastoral and other
services for the indigenous population. After some research
and exploration, it was decided in a formal chapter decision
in 1987, to establish foreign missions in other parts of Mexico
and in Zambia. In Mexico, after exploring some options, the
sisters focused on the Diocese of Tepic where they began ministry
in 1990. By 1994 they had built their own house in Sta. Maria
del Oro. Their ministry has now extended into Iztlan. It was
coincidental that, in September 1988, the first three sisters
were en route to Zambia as the congregation celebrated the
100th anniversary of the original establishment, that of St..
Peter Claver School. This ministry, in the Western Province,
the poorest area of Zambia, has also expanded in the intervening
years. The sisters are engaged in parish, diocesan and education
ministry and in 1996 they opened their own formation house
in the Western capital, Mongu.
