Reflections - Sister Rita Ann Wigginton

Sister Rita Ann Wigginton clearly remembers the moment when she knew she wanted to become a sister. It was in the 8th grade when a Maryknoll priest spoke about missionary work in Africa. She wanted to become a sister doctor, but after a stint as a hospital candy striper, the doctor part went out the window. However, the sister part remained. A high school senior retreat confirmed her decision. To a great extent Sister Rita chose the Ursuline Sisters because of their strong role models in school. As a child of an Army father, Sister Rita had spent her early years in a number of places overseas. The frequent moves exposed her to various cultures but also resulted in mostly short-term relationships. When she encountered Ursuline Sisters in Louisville, she was impressed by their stability and commitment.

After entering the community, Sister Rita attended Bellarmine-Ursuline College and earned a BA in elementary education. Although she enjoyed her 2nd grade teaching, several factors opened her to another possibility - deaf ministry. Lay people were moving into teaching in Catholic schools which gave her the freedom to consider other needs. At the same time she became close friends with an Ursuline Sister had a sister who was deaf. This was also the era when signing was becoming common. She was able to attend Gallaudet University for sign training and then Boston College for theological studies. Her original idea was to teach deaf students, but more pressing needs led her to pastoral ministry. She laughs as she reflects on how her plans were changed. "God was full of surprises!" Sister Rita currently serves the deaf community in the Diocese of Covington, KY., including sacramental preparation (marriage, RCIA), Bible study and helping church interpreters develop their skills. She also does interpreting in vocational and business training, social services and medical/hospital settings. When they find out Sister Rita is a sister, deaf persons often want to talk about God with her. She reflects her own deeply held values when she says, "Any culture that believes in God has a language to talk about God. Deaf persons communicate with God in sign. Jesus would have known sign language. Mark 7 attests to Jesus' concern about all of us." For her, it is a great privilege to be able to communicate her faith with this linguistic minority and to be able to hear what the deaf want to tell her. "The deaf community is a culture, not a handicap or disability.