The year 2020 in Australia was like no other. As an Augustinian, Servant of Jesus and Mary, I responded as our founder Maria Teresa Spinelli responded — see the person, see the need, do the action.
For years I have worked with Vietnamese sisters as a consultant, helping them apply for grants to fund various ministries that serve others. Many sisters don't know English, and I brought that skill to this work.
A volcano eruption has displaced hundreds of thousands living in Goma. As Ursulines of Tildonk who were ministering in the area, we are trying to meet with the displaced, to accompany them in their misery.
Though years have passed since that day, the image of the woman crawling at the roadside has not faded from my sight. The car in which I was traveling just passed by her, but she is still journeying with me.
Horizons - Apart from the frontline medical workers, who else effectively combats the pandemic in India? Among the many unseen warriors, I think the Sikh community turned out to be the country's good Samaritans.
As a representative of RENATE, I've committed myself to being the voice of victims of trafficking heard at the Council of Europe — a mission that reflects the charism of my congregation of Good Shepherd sisters.
I suffered great loss during Angola's civil war. But amid the war, women religious stepped forward to care for the suffering. Out of these experiences my own passion grew, particularly to help women and girls.
Modern-day enslavement is happening in our midst, even in neighborhoods where you would least expect it. It is taking place in shopping malls, sports centers, salons, restaurants, bus stops — anywhere people gather.
How could it take four hours for three refugee children with an appointment to get immunization shots? It wasn't because they are refugees. It wasn't because they are Asian.
Horizons - The communion of the Godhead is not a closed circle, for the dance of the Trinity comes with an open invitation: a call to share in God's life, to share in this ecstatic dance.
The pandemic has challenged all of us. We've missed milestone celebrations and more simple everyday encounters. From now on, so many people may always be questions for me. I may never see them again.
As sisters, we come together in community as strangers brought together by the love of God and our desire to build God's reign of peace and justice. But it is not an easy task.
Day after day, we are reminded that our world is so in need of healing. The spirit of ut unum sint ("may they be one") guided our founder, Louis Marie Eugène Bautain.
Horizons - Community life, especially living in an intercultural, intercongregational house, has broken open the meaning of Pentecost and speaking in tongues for me. And it's not just about sounds and spoken words.
As a musician, I find a reflection on the Trinity that is helpful and prayerfully stimulating to me is given by St. Ignatius Loyola; others in music and art provide further insight. (The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity is May 30.)
The Cross of Chavanod Sisters started Asha Bhavan hostel in India's Berhampur Diocese. For poor disabled girls who were considered a burden for their families, Asha Bhavan is an opportunity for medical care and education.
The voice is rapturous, out of this world, so that even the lips of Christ smile because nothing is set in stone, not joy, not tears, not yesterday and, certainly, not tomorrow. Sing, sisters, sing.
Contemplate This - Our awareness and presence every time we act communicates who we are and generates an energy that can be life-enhancing or life-threatening.
Many of our world problems stem from racism and white supremacy disguised as white saviorism. An acknowledgement of that in this country, in our church and religious communities would be a good starting point.
