Norma Pimentel, a Sister with the Missionaries of Jesus, is the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. She oversees the charitable arm of the Diocese of Brownsville, providing oversight of different ministries and services in the Rio Grande Valley through emergency assistance, homelessness prevention, disaster relief, clinical counseling, pregnancy care, food programs, and humanitarian relief to immigrants.
Sister Norma’s work is one of immediate response to the emerging needs in the community. Her humanitarian work on the US-Mexico border overseeing the provision of a safe space for migrants to rest and regain strength, has been recognized my many organizations across the country.
She received her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Pan American University, a master’s degree in theology from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, and a master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Loyola University in Chicago.
In 2020, Sister Norma was named TIMES’ 100 list of the most influential people in the world and in April 2022 she was honored the Pacem in Terris Award in Davenport, Iowa. Most recently Pope Francis sent her a video message encouraging her and all the volunteers to continue their work along the border.