Sister Norma Pimentel’s mission is straightforward: Restoring human dignity.

She runs Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, where she has worked with local and federal officials to provide care to people in and around McAllen, Texas, as well as people who have crossed the southern border and been released by Customs and Border Patrol into her care.

She made international headlines when waves of unaccompanied minors arrived at the Southern border and were in need of care. She coordinated much of the response, bringing together public officials, private charities, and people of a wide range of faith traditions to provide food, hot showers and other necessities. Through all of the intensity of the immigration issue in the United States, she has been a constant presence for people in need — no matter who is in power or what policies are in place.

“We don’t just care for Catholics… We are for everyone because we are Catholic.”

Her approach to helping her neighbors reminds me of the words of Denise from Catholic Charities Omaha: “We don’t just care for Catholics… We are for everyone because we are Catholic.” Sister Norma welcomes students, volunteer organizations, churches, synagogues, and other organizations to come help at her respite center in southern Texas. She serves as a bridge not only between people of diverse backgrounds who are interested in service but serves as a bridge of understanding and solidarity between people in need and those who seek to serve them.

She calls on each of us to listen to the people whose voices have been discounted — and to ensure that their voices are heard by people in power. She is the ultimate bridgebuilder and a pluralism hero.