Notes from the Field - Sitting in an office most days, reading technical and political reports and dense documents, hardly seems like the idea of service I had envisioned as a volunteer.

Aboard the papal flight from Abu Dhabi — Pope Francis has admitted that the Vatican must do more to prevent the physical and sexual abuse of nuns and sisters by Catholic priests.

I was frustrated to know my home state, Missouri, is lagging behind in protections for child sex trafficking victims. Human trafficking is a complex tragedy that interconnects with many other social justice issues. None of us can afford to look away or remain silent. 

When Sr. Thelma Marie Mitchell received an award from the National Black Sisters' Conference last summer, her acceptance speech was only 13 words long. But her reticence belies her remarkable story of converting to Catholicism, becoming one of the few African-American sisters in the 1950s and caring for countless people in hospitals and clinics. 

Although her work along the Texas-Mexico border has brought her fame and celebrity, Sr. Norma Pimentel, a member of the Missionaries of Jesus who is executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, shrugged that off as best she could Feb. 2 in Washington.

When you head to Mass this Sunday, chances are you will hear the intention "an increase in vocations to the religious life" lifted up before the gifts are presented. A recent survey suggests those prayers might be getting answered.

I remember hearing the witness of five African-American mothers who shared their experience of raising sons in St. Louis. I recognized how little I knew about my African-American neighbors.

About a third of people ages 23-38 are "nones," people without a particular religious affiliation. Meanwhile, women religious in the U.S. are experiencing a shift toward most members being older, handing off ministries, reconciling property. Amid this change in consecrated life, what drives the "nones" reminds sisters of their younger selves — a passion for social justice, desire for authentic community, hunger for contemplative practice, and a willingness to devote their lives to a greater purpose. And they are meeting, in person, online and in community, to learn from and inspire each other.

GSR Today - Kawi Arebonto and Tenta Maritino made their first vows as Good Samaritan Sisters last year. GSR recently interviewed them about their experience of religious life and how they see climate change impacting their island country.