For the past 16 years, Sister Colette Auger has been teaching English as a second language (ESL) to adult immigrants who settled in Woonsocket. They come from 50 countries. Their needs are as varied as their backgrounds: some are illiterate, some have college degrees from their countries, and many have lived in refugee camps before being allowed to come to the US.
They appreciate Christianity, and ministry in this area exposes them to the Gospel values of charity, of compassion, and of acceptance. 
Sister Colette works for RIRAL (Rhode Island Regional Adult Learning Center). Teaching English is providing the first and most essential “tool” to an immigrant trying to adjust to a new culture, to find work, to understand this new world.
In the 60s and 70s, Sister Blanche of the Sacred Heart, a paralysed sister living inManchester, NH was teaching English to the Italian monks moving to Manchester. She was the “first” ESL teacher in our province!
Sr. Colette reflects, “My years here have been a great blessing, and I realize that my life experiences prepared me for this ministry.”
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