PERSONALITY PROFILE

Your Catholic Neighbor: Alice Burba

Welcome to “Your Catholic Neighbor,” a new series of stories highlighting everyday Catholics throughout the community.

We would enjoy your feedback and recommendations on this regularly appearing personality profile. Please send your comments to letters@catholicsun.org.

By Joyce Coronel, The Catholic Sun
April 5, 2007

Squinting at the sun, Alice Burba recalls when she first decided to become a social worker: “I spent two summers working with the poor through the ‘Amigos’ program in high school.” Living among the impoverished people of Mexico and the Dominican Republic and observing their plight was the catalyst for a career in serving others.

“It’s a hard road they travel, but it’s an amazing one, too,” she said. “I wanted to work with families.”

After earning a degree in social work from Arizona State University, Alice went on to receive a master’s degree in education. Today she works as a child welfare training consultant, educating social workers, foster and adoptive families throughout the state.

A cradle Catholic, Alice explains that her faith journey has taken some interesting turns. “I was born and raised in the Catholic faith, but in my late teen years, my parents decided to leave the Church. Despite considerable pressure from them, I chose to live out my baptism as a Catholic Christian.”

An active parishioner at St. Timothy’s in Mesa, she has been married to husband Dave for 20 years. The mother of three teens, Alice has been involved with the music ministry in her parish for more than 22 years, as well as the Life Teen core group and the Ministry of Moms Sharing, better known as MOMS. She’s also an RCIA sponsor.

How do you witness to your faith in Christ in your work?

I am continually amazed at the way God brings healing to children by the love, nurturing and commitment families can provide. Foster care in particular touches my heart deeply. I see the face of Christ in the children, foster families, adoptive families and birth families, and it helps me to understand the depth of the gift God gave us in the institution of the family.

What do you most enjoy about your work?

The people. I have found it a great privilege to play a small role in the building of families and I’m inspired by the families I train. I’m also touched by the social workers who want so desperately to help families in crisis.

Best thing about being Catholic?

The Trinity, our Holy Mother Mary, the Eucharist, and the Mass… the Catholic Church is my family. Being Catholic is what defines who I am at the very core of my being.

What’s your favorite movie?

That would be “To Kill a Mockingbird” with Gregory Peck. What a testimony of social justice — Atticus Finch is a hero. “Crash” is another favorite. It really challenges our attitudes about racism.

What’s your favorite quote?

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27). This Scripture has defined much of my life and my work. It is why I became a social worker! Living out my faith comes down to two critical things: to serve those in need and to strive for holiness.