by GSR Staff
There are some communities of sisters who spend their days almost exclusively in quiet contemplation and prayer, but the life of a sister today is usually filled with very active service. And while some women religious work in “traditional” fields like education and healthcare, a lot of them are fulfilling those roles in places where others aren’t – like remote rural regions in Africa, Asia and South America.
Here’s a list of 18 ministries that sisters we have written about do. Some might surprise you:
Sr. Michele Morek, Sr. Celine Paramunda, Sr. Margaret Mayce and many others are NGO reps at the United Nations.
Sr. Jessy Kurian, Sr. Marlene Perrotte and Sr. Julie George are attorneys helping people assert their rights.
Sr. Mary Nguyen Thi Quynh Nga and Sr. Mary Nguyen Thi Huong are herbalists who make medicines.
Sr. Anastasia Lindawati is a cyber-teacher, providing spiritual guidance over the Internet.
Sr. Belinda Monahan is an archeologist.
Sr. Carol Breslin, Sr. Vivian Okereke, Sr. Karen Schneider and Sr. Agnes Nguyen Thi Tuyet Suong are physicians.
Sr. Judith Royer is a professor of theatre.
Sr. Kathleen Burns is a website designer.
Sr. Mary Nguyen Thi Hong Que is a marriage guidance counselor.
Sr. Grace Sbrissa is a financial planner.
Sr. Rosemarie Milazzo is an international peacekeeper.
Sr. Judy Zielinski is a film producer.
Sr. Simone Campbell is a social justice lobbyist.
Sr. MaryFran Barber, Sr. Canice Johnson, Sr. Chizo Chiedu, Sr. Marie O’Brien, Sr. Teresa Nguyen Thi Kim Lan, Sr. Cathy Buster, Sr. Lillian Murphy and (former) Sr. Timothy Marie O’Roark are housing and community developers.
Sr. Christine Stephens, Sr. Gabriella Lohan and Sr. Pearl Ceasar are community organizers.
Sr. Sheila Flynn is a visual artist.
Sr. Sue Kintzele is a bail bondswoman.
Sr. Anne Kiragu is a radio broadcaster.
Here's a list of our Top 25 Most Thanked stories for our first year online.
Here’s a list of articles from each of the 39 countries we’ve covered so far.