Rita Raboin is a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur:

I have been here in Brazil for 34 years. I first worked in the state of Maranhao with farmers for many years  and then on the island of Marajó as the Coordinator for the Pastoral Land Commission, which is a support of the Catholic Church for families who work on small plots of land either in the fields or, in our case, along the rivers. We seek to help the people analyze their situation and see what they can do to remain on the land.

Besides what I was doing in the river communities, I was the Facilitator for the Justice and Peace Commission in the city. I also contribute to the Movement for Water, as we do not have quality drinking water. We have been struggling for 6 years to complete the construction, making demands on the state Water Department.

In 2020 Rita wrote:

After 36 years of working in Brazil with the people as a community organizer, popular educator and advocate in the Amazon Region, I returned to the United States in March of 2018.

I am now working as a volunteer with the Immigrant Service Unit in Somerville, MA. This group addresses the needs of the immigrant community especially since the onset of COVID: health care, education, housing, food access, etc. I also teach English to a small group of women. 

In 2019, our Sisters developed a Project for Outreach to the immigrants waiting for Asylum at the Mexican border. I volunteered with 2 other Sisters and went twice. I was all set to go for a third time when Covid prohibited volunteers from visiting the encampment! There are still immigrants waiting at the border in horrid conditions! A small group of local volunteers bring food and health care to them. This is at the Brownsville, Texas- Matamoros border. 

I also belong to Pax Christi, an International Catholic Peace Movement against Nuclear Weapons and war and diverse other issues like against racial inequity and gun violence. [10-20]

In early 2023 Rita spoke about her current work:

I will be returning to Phoenix for 2 weeks (March 9-23) to welcome the immigrants coming in from diverse countries. This subject is so polemical. Our 2 Sisters there continue on in their valuable ministries. We are proud and privileged to continue to contribute to their efforts. This will be my 5th time at the Border. It is indeed, a privilege! 

Another Sister here in my community and myself are collaborating with a courageous and effective Pastor from another Church in demanding the change of name of Faneuil Hall here in Boston, as Peter Faneuil was a slave trader. The new Mayor of the City of Boston has so far not met with us about the issue. There are many people demanding this name change.  

"Old money" in the Boston elite are opposed to the change of name, to be sure!  If a “Liberal” Boston chooses not to change, then the power structure is still active.

Email: rita.raboin@yahoo.com.br