It was a feeling of utter despair that engulfed José de Araujo and his wife when they learned 15 years ago that one of their two daughters had Down syndrome. She was 3 then and they wondered why their daughter was not like other children the same age.

On a rainy July afternoon in Kermit, a local woman sifted through a table of donated apparel at Christian Help Inc.'s free clothing store. The outreach center was full that day and she was among many seeking help.

When we are recovering from the damage of life's storms — let us remember what is real despite all other perceptions: "The Lord's mercy and compassion are never spent; they are renewed each morning." 

Precious Blood Sr. Mary Faye Hellman started a boarding school for girls from indigenous Mayan villages outside Guatemala City. She spoke to GSR about the little girl who inspired her to start the school, how their work prepares the young women to be leaders.

"We can grow peace. It's the peace that we should pass down to generations."

NCR preview - The Catholics on Call program brought together about two dozen young adults, mentors and others July 25-29 in Chicago, for discussion and community about finding direction in life.

This week, Holy Cross Sr. Sharlet Wagner, an immigration lawyer who has lived in four countries, transitions from president-elect to president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. All who spoke to GSR about Wagner stressed her capacity to listen and take in all points of view.

However Long the Night: Making Meaning in a Time of Crisis, A Spiritual Journey of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious is a collection of 10 essays about the doctrinal assessment and apostolic visitation of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Today, two GSR columnists share their experience of both that time and of reading these reflections.

Roughly 800 sisters in leadership in their respective communities will gather Aug. 7-10 in St. Louis to reflect on this year's theme, "Being the Presence of Love: The Power of Communion," picking up exactly where last year's meeting left off.

The National Black Sisters' Conference celebrated its 50th anniversary Aug. 1 by honoring its founder, Patricia Grey. "The Holy Spirit was working through me. I was just the vessel," Grey said, at the closing banquet of a joint conference of several black clergy and religious groups.