Global Sisters Report | A project of National Catholic Reporter

Sisters face hurricane season with plans and prayers

War, climate change, inflation: Multiple crises have led to a boom in global hunger

Columns

After Hurricane Ian, the invisible people remain

by Judy Dohner

Oct 17, 2022

As news of the Hurricane Ian fades from public attention, we cannot forget the long-term suffering left all over Florida. And let us never forget the invisible people who are always among us.

On the missionary paths in Angola and Mozambique

by Rita Schneider

Oct 13, 2022

In June and July, I had the privilege of visiting our Immaculate Heart of Mary Congregation communities in Angola and Mozambique.

About prayers and principles, and the politicians we elect

by Joan Chittister

Oct 13, 2022

It is easy to dismiss Donald Trump as either a politician or a democratic leader. What can't be so quickly dismissed is the fact that, however weak the character he brought to the position, he was elected.

Life lessons from my dog Chloe

by Judy Principe

Oct 12, 2022

I lost my beloved pet Chloe on Oct. 27, 2021, but she is alive and well in the lessons she taught me. With gratitude to her and to God for the blessing of Chloe, I would like to share those lessons with you.

The beauty that saves our frailty

by Sandra Bartolomeu

Oct 11, 2022

The pandemic is giving place to serious reflection on our frailty and on our contemporary way of living. We are essentially frail, biologically, intellectually and spiritually. What can make us transcend our frailty?

We are on a single transformative journey

by Elise D. García

Oct 10, 2022

We are on a single transformative journey as we undergo the epochal change taking place this decade in religious life. It has many dimensions. But it is the same Spirit call to us, to make a vital shift in consciousness.

News

Adrian Dominican Sr. Donna Markham, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, speaks Nov. 13, 2019, during the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore. (CNS/Bob Roller)

Monday Starter: Sr. Donna Markham to retire as head of Catholic Charities USA

Oct 17, 2022

Catholic Charities USA has announced the retirement of Adrian Dominican Sr. Donna Markham as its president and chief executive officer after eight years leading the organization.

While evacuating during Hurricane Rita in 2005, several Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province in Texas spent 18 hours in cars on their way toward Dallas.

Sisters face hurricane season with plans and prayers

Oct 12, 2022

As they confront stronger storms, women's congregations are making investments in infrastructure and planning to make sure sisters stay safe and capable of continuing their ministries.

Nigerian Catholics speak of 'palpable fear' as anti-Christian violence escalates

by Valentine Iwenwanne

Oct 6, 2022

Mass seeks St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's protection, intercession for nation's Sea Services

by Catholic News Service

Oct 5, 2022

Monday Starter: Maryknoll sister is Talitha Kum's new international coordinator

by Dan Stockman

Oct 3, 2022

Hospital chains with sister roots respond to New York Times reporting

Sep 30, 2022

Coronavirus

The night procession at 9 p.m. attracts thousands of visitors. It starts and ends in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Lourdes, France. (GSR photo/Elisabeth Auvillain)

Lourdes revives from pandemic with a new international dimension

by Elisabeth Auvillain

Sep 8, 2022

"We had to rethink our presence here": As Lourdes slowly recovers from the pandemic and pilgrims come back to pray, the world-famous Marian sanctuary is taking away experiences in bringing Lourdes to the world.

Lucy D'Souza prepares pickled tamarind to sell in the market in Mangaluru, southern India. (Courtesy of Clara D'Cunha)

Nuns help female entrepreneurs rebuild their lives after India's pandemic lockdowns

by Thomas Scaria

Jul 11, 2022

More than 400 women in the Indian cities Mangaluru and Bengaluru have taken up trades and self-employment projects to overcome pandemic trauma. Four congregations of women religious are helping them.

Sisters' vaccination campaign boosts number of Ugandans protected from COVID-19

by Doreen Ajiambo

Jun 6, 2022

Despite the pain and brokenness of COVID, Pentecost offers hope

by Mary Catherine Redmond

Jun 6, 2022

Q & A with Sr. Dorothy Hall, feeding Harlem's hungry as the pandemic continues

May 31, 2022

As a world in pandemic seeks a return to normal, leaders urge vigilance, vaccines

by Chris Herlinger, GSR Staff

Apr 14, 2022

Ministry

In Ukraine, Basilian sisters pitch in and prepare for war's consequences

by Rhina Guidos

Oct 17, 2022

When refugees from heavily attacked eastern Ukraine arrived in the sisters' city en masse in the first few months of the war, the Basilians scrambled to offer them food, clothes and shelter at the monastery.

Scattered grain sits inside a warehouse damaged by Russian attacks in Cherkaska Lozova, outskirts of Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, May 28. (AP photo/Bernat Armangue, File)

War, climate change, inflation: Multiple crises have led to a boom in global hunger

Oct 13, 2022

Officials and religious sisters see a perfect storm that began with the war in Ukraine, which rattled international markets and disrupted grain exports, leading to a rise in global hunger that will not be easily solved.

War, climate change, inflation: Multiple crises have led to a boom in global hunger

by Mary Nguyen Thi Phuong Lan (Nguyen)

Oct 13, 2022

Q & A with Sr. Eusebia Maselitso Lerotholi, caring for children left behind in Lesotho

by Doreen Ajiambo

Oct 11, 2022

Nurturing vocations is challenging, but 'it's all God's work,' sisters say

by Peter Tran

Oct 10, 2022

Clean water improves health in Vietnam's Mekong River Delta

Oct 7, 2022

Religious Life

Sr. Kimberly Nguyen, second from left, poses with Sr. Oanh Nguyen, far right, and three biological sisters — Monica Do, Lorraine Do, and Catherine Do — at the Aug. 4-7 Marian Days celebration in Carthage, Missouri. (Peter Tran)

Nurturing vocations is challenging, but 'it's all God's work,' sisters say

by Peter Tran

Oct 10, 2022

Vocation directors of various women's religious congregations say personal contact with young people is important in vocation work. Four religious sisters spoke to GSR about their congregations' vocation ministries.

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious voted to reaffirm the 2019-2022 resolution for the next three years through 2025, prioritizing projects and efforts that focus on the intersection of racism, forced migration and the climate crisis. (GSR photo)

We are on a single transformative journey

by Elise D. García

Oct 10, 2022

Irish laywoman deftly unpacks the mysteries of wisdom for UISG

by Joyce Meyer

Oct 5, 2022

Irish sisters' synod submission laments media's 'constant battering'

by Sarah Mac Donald

Oct 4, 2022

For Jesus, home was a journey

by Francine Dempsey

Oct 1, 2022

Mexico nuns' culinary innovations live on in storied cuisine

by María Teresa Hernández, The Associated Press

Sep 30, 2022

Community News

Benedictine Sisters to Hold Discernment Retreat

Event date: October 28 5:00 pm (Central) to October 30, 2022 1:00 pm (Central) Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas

School Sisters of Notre Dame host online conversation about religious life

Event date: October 20, 2022 School Sisters of Notre Dame

Linger Over Breakfast-with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

Event date: Saturday, October 29, 2022 Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

Young adults invited to monthly online evening prayer

Event date: Fourth Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST School Sisters of Notre Dame

Q&As

Sr. Eusebia Maselitso Lerotholi, a member of Handmaids of Christ the Priest, with the children at Andrew Blais Orphanage Home. Lerotholi founded the orphanage in 2013 to help homeless and orphaned children have a home and access to education. (GSR)

Q & A with Sr. Eusebia Maselitso Lerotholi, caring for children left behind in Lesotho

by Doreen Ajiambo

Oct 11, 2022

Trained pastoral caregiver and counselor Sr. Eusebia Maselitso Lerotholi's ministry has evolved into being the mother of many through an orphanage home. Despite the challenges, she tells GSR that she has achieved a lot.

Sr. Tireza Gabriel Usamo plays with children at a day care center run by Consolata Missionaries. (Courtesy of Tireza Gabriel Usamo)

Q & A with Sr. Tireza Gabriel Usamo, an Ethiopian missionary to Mongolia

by Rock Ronald Rozario, UCA News

Oct 4, 2022

For Sr. Tireza Gabriel Usamo, a 38-year-old Catholic nun from Ethiopia, the climate and customs of Mongolia have been a constant challenge since she arrived there as a missionary.

Q & A with Sr. Bukola Familade on how persecution, insecurity affect the Nigerian church

by Valentine Iwenwanne

Sep 27, 2022

Q & A with sisters on protecting their nursing home residents amid a pandemic

by Robert Alan Glover

Sep 20, 2022

Q & A with Sr. Shikha Laetitia Gomes, seeking more representation for nuns in Bangladesh

by Sumon Corraya

Sep 6, 2022

Q & A with Sr. Maureen Geary, new president-elect of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious

by Dan Stockman

Aug 30, 2022

Spirituality

She asked God for guidance — and she got it

Oct 14, 2022

From A Nun's Life podcasts – Alice Ann O'Neill, a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati, speaks to Sister Rejane about a time when she had a major life decision to make. A voice told her, "Be a sister." But initially she tried to ignore that call.

President Donald Trump listens to applause after signing an executive order on police reform at the White House in Washington June 16, 2020. (CNS/Reuters/Leah Millis)

Views

About prayers and principles, and the politicians we elect

by Joan Chittister

Oct 13, 2022

Life lessons from my dog Chloe

by Judy Principe

Oct 12, 2022

The beauty that saves our frailty

by Sandra Bartolomeu

Oct 11, 2022

Letting God speak to you in daily prayer brings unexpected gifts

Oct 7, 2022

We thank you, Miriam of Magdala, as our community flourishes

by Magda Bennásar

Oct 6, 2022

Environment

Sisters face hurricane season with plans and prayers

Oct 12, 2022

As they confront stronger storms, women's congregations are making investments in infrastructure and planning to make sure sisters stay safe and capable of continuing their ministries.

Franciscan Missionary of Mary Sr. Hilda Mary Bernath with her rabbit project in Curahuasi, Peru (Courtesy of Hilda Mary Bernath)

Admiring the work of God, the best artist of all

by Hilda Mary Bernath

Oct 4, 2022

We thank God, the creator who is also our protector, by taking care of our Mother Earth, protecting and nurturing her. In my life in Peru, that has been an experience with rabbits, guinea pigs and gardening.

Sisters support fisherpeople protesting new international seaport in India

by Thomas Scaria

Oct 3, 2022

Fresh off Inflation Reduction Act win, Catholic groups push to further environmental justice

Sep 27, 2022

Sowing the seeds for lots of future trees

Sep 23, 2022

Show me the honey: Maryland sisters find divine touch in beekeeping

by George P. Matysek Jr., Catholic News Service

Sep 19, 2022

Social Justice

After Hurricane Ian, the invisible people remain

by Judy Dohner

Oct 17, 2022

As news of the Hurricane Ian fades from public attention, we cannot forget the long-term suffering left all over Florida. And let us never forget the invisible people who are always among us.

War, climate change, inflation: Multiple crises have led to a boom in global hunger

Oct 13, 2022

Missionaries of Charity serve people on 'the peripheries' in Indianapolis

by Sean Gallagher, Catholic News Service

Oct 3, 2022

Sisters support fisherpeople protesting new international seaport in India

by Thomas Scaria

Oct 3, 2022

Catholic sisters, organizations call efforts to suppress voting a 'sin'

by Rhina Guidos, Catholic News Service

Sep 29, 2022

Despite hardships, Jebamalai Mary helps empower other rural women in India

by Robancy A. Helen

Sep 22, 2022

Arts and Media

Sr. Thea Bowman of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in an undated photo (Courtesy of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration)

Documentary on the life of Sr. Thea Bowman premieres this weekend

by Dan Stockman

Sep 29, 2022

A new hourlong documentary, "Going Home Like a Shooting Star: Thea Bowman's Journey to Sainthood," on the Black Franciscan and candidate for sainthood, will begin airing on ABC stations across the U.S. on Oct. 2.

Social media on a phone (Unsplash/Adem AY)

Are we seeing an erosion of values in the internet era?

by Tessy Jacob

Sep 27, 2022

Technology is good. But letting technology form our behaviors is not always so good. In balancing between virtual reality and actual reality, we all need to take time to fact-check our lives.

Lebanese nun says she learned from writing icon for London shrine

by Doreen Abi Raad, Catholic News Service

Sep 14, 2022

'Media nuns' say goodbye to sweet home Chicago after more than 40 years

by Emily McFarlan Miller, Religion News Service

Sep 13, 2022

New documentary on Sr. Thea Bowman highlights her faith, justice work

by Anna Capizzi Galvez, Catholic News Service

Sep 7, 2022

New film on Mother Teresa seeks to put 20th-century saint back in spotlight

by Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service

Sep 1, 2022

Migration

Felician Sr. Maria Louise Edwards (right), Ely Ortiz, president of the Aguilas del Desierto (center) and Aguilas volunteer Maurizio Vitela (left) give a presentation in June at a migrant shelter in Mexico City. (Courtesy photo)

Campaign aims to educate migrants on dangers of crossing the border

by Peter Tran

Sep 5, 2022

Aguilas del Desierto searches for migrants who are lost, injured or deceased in the desert. They also work to save lives through a campaign that educates migrants about dangers involved with crossing the southern border.

Humility of Mary Sr. Eilis McCulloh's "home group" — her discussion group during the National Giving Voice Gathering.

Sisters are called to be present to one another and to the world

by Eilis McCulloh

Aug 10, 2022

As sisters, we are called to hold the pain, grief and joy of the world in our hands and to unite ourselves with our siblings around the world. This prophetic call wasn't far from my mind as I headed to the airport.

Advocates worry anti-immigrant provisions will make way into spending bill

by Rhina Guidos, Catholic News Service

Aug 5, 2022

Supreme Court allows Biden to end Trump-era policy on asylum-seekers

by Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News Service

Jun 30, 2022

Why should we welcome immigrants?

by Maxine Kollasch

Jun 10, 2022

Kiran Niketan, our social center committed to uplift women

by Molly Fernandes

Jun 9, 2022

Trafficking

How a van helped stop human trafficking