Sister Peggy Bonnot, one of the founders of El Puente Hispanic Ministry, grew up learning in Jefferson City parochial schools and Helias High School, and realized at a young age she wanted to be like the sisters she knew.
That was her first motivator for joining the convent, she said, and through her education, Bonnot listened to vocational testimonies from more sisters and priests.
"I guess at that point I just started praying and just asked God to send me a sign or to let me know," Bonnot said.
But God wasn't suddenly leading Bonnot to sisterhood; the signs were more steady.
"I had friends who were entering and I became interested and followed that path," she said. "When I went to the convent, it felt right."
On Aug. 15, Bonnot will celebrate her 51st jubilee in the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.
She attended college at the University of the Incarnate Word, working toward an elementary education degree with minors in English and Spanish. In her first collegiate Spanish class, Bonnot said she developed an interest in Hispanic cultures, which was deepened by her Hispanic sisters - some who were from outside the country and others who grew up in America.
"I always thought they had a beautiful culture," Bonnot said. "In many respects, they're very loving people. There's a lot of creativity in the culture and they're very free. They love singing and the arts and dancing. Also, they have strong family life. They're very loyal to their family members."
Then, she pursued her master's degree in kindergarten-high school education with a specialization in reading at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. From there, she taught in Missouri and Texas, and at one point, practiced pastoral ministry in California, Missouri. When she returned to her hometown, Bonnot was made aware of the increased needs within the Hispanic community, she said. Bonnot and two friends, who are also sisters, decided to take action and form an organization in 1999 that became known as El Puente.
"The Hispanic community growing at that time and they themselves really wanted to preserve their cultural heritages, which included their faith," Bonnot said. "They were asking that the mass be in Spanish. And, it was through the people who were attending those masses that the other needs surfaced. It's a young population for the most part so they're having children and raising their families."
At first, Bonnot led El Puente's pastoral needs, but then she and other sisters assisted their clients' medical needs. They often acted as interpreters during prenatal visits and were a maternal presence in delivery rooms.
"We kind of become like grandmothers for them," Bonnot said. "When they have their babies, we're often there. We're also that support because many of their mothers are not able to come. It's an extra help for them."
For 16 years, Bonnot has given opportunities and assistance to those she calls some of the "most vulnerable in society." She plans to continue her mission for the rest of her life in one way or another.
"I look back and say, "God is taking care of us. We must be doing something right,'" Bonnot said. "God wants us to continue so the doors stay open."