Sr. Elenita Belardo, a the Religious of the Good Shepherd, is the current coordinator of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, a broad alliance of lay and religious missionaries who journey in solidarity with peasants from northern, central and southern Philippine provinces in their quest for land justice and freedom.

I sometimes check an app where people are encouraged to leave their secrets, things they wouldn't tell others. After many months of listening to people's stories in this hidden way, I can say that the driving force that is at the root of all their stories and my own, is the longing to be loved, known, seen, heard, cared for.

"Our future rests not upon our politics or economics but the degree to which all of us meet the moral call to our neighbors, children, God's creation and our common future."

School Sisters of Notre Dame manage a preschool has transformed the lives of villagers in Bandipur, Nepal. The Seto Gurans Child Development Center helps marginalized children succeed at the critical nursery school level, enabling them to prosper when they begin formal education. The preschool involves parents in daily classroom activity, and has helped bridge class separation within the village.

In southern Vietnam, government authorities ordered the Lovers of the Holy Cross Congregation to turn over their land to support an urban project. But sisters and allies are pushing back; protesters are calling for a land ownership amendment to Vietnam's constitution.

On May 11, 2018, more than 200 people from around the country gathered at St. Bridget for a prayer service and rally. No longer alone, we have learned anew the value of community in fighting the attacks on our immigrant sisters and brothers. However, we admit to still being confused and afraid of what might happen next in this anti-immigrant, anti-refugee, "throw them all out" climate of 2018. Send us your Spirit, O God!

"We're hungry for goodness, and it's here. If you can't see it, then let's look for it together."

"When they come here they call it their home because they have no other home. A home is made of people who love and care for you."

Horizons - I've been thinking a lot about relationships lately. If I truly believe the truth of this call to be about building the beloved community, then it needs to start in my everyday life and relationships. Who do I avoid, and why?