Some people base their view of themselves on what they do for a living, but not Sister Olivia Maria Obregon. For this humble, cheerful nun, her being is the basis of what she does.

“Being a presence in Laredo is very important to me,” she said. “Just being there for the people and sharing my knowledge and experience brings great rewards. I am happy to be able to help my co-workers and the patients with their needs.”

Sr. Olivia is a volunteer at the Primary Healthcare Services Clinic of Mercy Ministries of Laredo. She works 3-4 days a week and is in charge of buying medical supplies for the clinic and ensuring that the supplies are kept in stock where they are needed. Previously, when Mercy Ministries of Laredo was a part of Mercy Health Center, they obtained their supplies from the hospital. But when the hospital was sold in 2003, that situation changed. Sr. Olivia stepped in and was able to use her previous experience as materials manager in surgery at the hospital to come to the ministry’s aid.

A former nurse, Sr. Olivia has been in healthcare services for the past 44 years, 25 of which have been in Laredo. In her career, Sr. Olivia has held positions in pediatrics nursing, medical-surgical nursing, emergency, OB/GYN, and nursing, labor and delivery, in locations as varied as Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Brownsville, Texas. The majority of her career was spent in surgical nursing, which was her favorite position. She also served as vice president of mission in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and at Mercy Health Center in Laredo.

After the hospital was sold, Sr. Olivia began volunteering at Mercy Ministries of Laredo. She was attracted to the job because it was a position where she felt she could offer her services and be available to help those in need, demonstrating the continued presence of the Sisters of Mercy in Laredo through her actions and example.

Even though her work may not be high profile, Sr. Olivia is confident she is making a difference. “When I see what my co-workers do everyday for the people that come into our clinic, the way they treat and help them, I know that my work touches people’s lives. What I do enables my co-workers to deliver care and improve lives,” she said.

Had she not chosen the religious life, Sr. Olivia imagines herself being a full-time mother, taking care of a family and helping others, just as her mother did. In fact, Sr. Olivia credits her parents’ faith and example as a major influence in her decision to become a sister. She also acknowledges the positive presence of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who were part of her parish, and the Sisters of Mercy, who taught first through eighth grade at Sacred Heart School, as awakening her to the call of God in her life.

Sr. Olivia is an active member of her religious order. She serves as a deliberative member of the Assembly of the Sisters of Mercy Region of St. Louis, a position in which she casts a vote and helps make decisions about the direction of the order. She is also heavily involved in local and regional affairs of the community, serving on corporate reflection and cluster groups. In doing so, Sr. Olivia keeps informed of current affairs between different regions of the Sisters of Mercy and stays informed on issues affecting the whole order.

In her spare time, Sr. Olivia enjoys baking, crocheting, gardening, sewing and bead work, especially making bracelets and dream catchers. She also loves to listen to music.