Ever since she was a young teenager, Sr. Clara Pitchai has worked to promote the welfare of domestic workers in India — an interest that prompted her to become a card-carrying member of the Communist Party for 14 years. The Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate sister is now leader of a 5,000-member union, educating domestic workers on social justice and conducting leadership training programs.

by Patricia M. Bombard

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At age 65, and as one of the "younger" members of an aging and shrinking congregation of women religious in the United States, I have found myself called and gifted to be part of emerging programs in leadership development for young sister leaders in China and East Africa. These experiences are part of my work at DePaul University in Chicago as director of Vincent on Leadership: The Hay Project based on the leadership legacy of St. Vincent de Paul.

Patricia M. Bombard is a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Dubuque, Iowa. She has a doctorate of ministry, has worked in various capacities in the areas of business, politics, journalism and higher education administration, and taught at St. Xavier and Loyola Universities in Chicago.

This story appears in the Notes from the Field feature series. View the full series.

Notes from the Field - The adjustment to my new placement site has not always been easy, due to the many differences I have encountered. The climate is much colder, there are language barriers, and the nature of the work here in Veyrier contrasts with my work in Bogotá, which was very hands-on.

This story appears in the Abuse of sisters feature series. View the full series.

Women religious are now openly discussing a subject that was once taboo — sexual harassment, abuse and rape of sisters by clergy — in congregational motherhouses and national conference offices. Slowly, an era is ending in which Catholic women religious were silent victims of sexual abuse by priests and bishops.

GSR Today - A Daughter of St. Paul sister reported in a group chat for sisters that everyone in their compound was safe but very frightened; Sudan looks at escalating violence; U.S. immigration policy separated more children than earlier reports indicated.