Chris Herlinger

In the face of stigma and silence, Catholic sisters in Indonesia are supporting survivors of domestic violence and trafficking with shelter, advocacy and care.

In celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary, the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton will display the role of sisters throughout the nation's history.

At the U.N.'s Commission on the Status of Women, Catholic sisters and advocates pointed to community-based solutions and women's leadership as essential to advancing justice and ending gender-based violence.

Plus, LCWR praises the appointment of a new apostolic nuncio, and Maryknoll issues condemnation of war against Iran.

Plus, Missionaries of Jesus Sr. Norma Pimentel, a longtime champion of migrants, is named a Time magazine woman of the year.

"This is not going to bring security to the region and it's not going to bring peace," St. Joseph Sr. Barbara Bozak said of the strike on Iran. "We had no right to do it."

In a Philadelphia suburb, Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great walk beside wounded veterans of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, offering food, prayer and solidarity as the war enters its fifth year.

The Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit on the island of Flores cofounded a shelter to provide women with refuge, counseling and legal support in a patriarchal society.

For GSR correspondent Chris Herlinger, traveling outside the U.S. during these past weeks of highly charged turmoil was strange. But the work of sisters in Indonesia and Minnesota gave him hope.

Born and raised Jewish, Edith Stein converted to Catholicism in 1922, later becoming a Discalced Carmelite nun who was arrested by the Gestapo and perished in Auschwitz in 1942.

The United States — the largest source of historical emissions and top user and producer of oil and gas — will stand as the only country in the world not part of the agreement.

Following two years of absence, public Christmas festivities, like holiday lights in Bethlehem and other locales, are returning. Also making an appearance, say some observers, are dribbles of visitors to the Holy Land.

The International Union of Superiors General is capping its 60th anniversary with the release of a new documentary highlighting the work of the organization, which also received a letter of praise from Pope Leo XIV.

Plus, Franciscans urge renewed support for Dream Act, and Mercy Sisters criticize Trump for insulting remarks.

The Comboni sisters in the West Bank try to create the kind of connection symbolized by Jesus' life, with a persistent belief that, as Sr. Mariolina Cattaneo said, "if you build a wall, we find a solution."

Plus, African religious launch newsletter, Mercy sister honored with peace award and documentary on lives of five sister congregations to premiere in December. 

"[We are] sort of like the watch guards of what's really going on because the nation's people sometimes just want to paint a beautiful picture about what's happening," said Sr. Durstyne "Dusty" Farnan.

"Our hope was to be with the Hudson River and experience it as a living being, with its own right to exist, flourish and thrive," said Charity Sr. Carol De Angelo.

In the second of a two-part interview, two veteran congregational representatives further reflect on their long ministries at the U.N., and call for needed structural reforms to address pressing global needs.

Now retired, Sr. Winifred Doherty of Ireland and Sr. Teresa Kotturan of India remain passionate advocates for the causes they championed while in New York.