I can think of thousands of women who have changed my perceptions, my thinking, my understanding of spirituality. When I think of the women who live in the slums, I realize they too have come a long way on this journey called change.

The Life - This month illustrates the infinite variations in the organizational relationships one congregation can have with others. Congregations' uniqueness makes a difference in their history, ministries and future plans — whether helpful or complicated. We asked panelists: How unique is your congregation? Is it the only one like it in the world, or do you share a charism or a founder with another group of sisters? 

"For ever since the light of reason first dawned on me, my inclination to letters was marked by such passion and vehemence that neither the reprimands of others (for I have received many) nor reflections of my own (there have been more than a few) have sufficed to make me abandon my pursuit of this native impulse that God himself bestowed on me."

My face was hot with fury. Ecuadorian society already oppresses these women. And now, instead of filling them up with the good news of the Gospel, this man had the audacity to reinforce their subordination. This is all too often the story of women in Catholicism: figuring out where we can stand.

See for Yourself - I pulled into the church parking lot and was relieved to see quite a few cars. This boded well for me getting into church early, I thought.

In Conversation - Immaculate Heart of Mary Sr. Annmarie Sanders of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and Betty Thompson of Solidarity with Sisters discuss their new book, However Long the Night: Making Meaning in a Time of Crisis.

"Remaining faithful to our call of living out the Gospel is still the bedrock of our lives, even as much about us is changing."

Taking time to welcome spring awakens us to new possibilities and prepares us to embrace the difficult times we are living in. 

GSR Today - Global Sisters Report staff and contributors received seven awards for editorial excellence from the Associated Church Press last week during the organization's annual meeting in Chicago. Two more recent awards came from the Religion Communicators Council.

Our Lady of Sion Sr. Patricia Fox has been in the news almost daily in the Philippines since her 22-hour detention by the Bureau of Immigration. GSR spoke with Fox at her Quezon City home, where she is a familiar face in the neighborhood. Neighbors, associates and friends as well as tricycle drivers were surprised to learn about her case.