GSR Today - The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a crisis; sisters are doing what they can to help save people, especially orphans, amid the burning of villages, brutalization and rape of women, militias' conscription of children, and the targeting of Catholic convents, schools and clinics.

See for Yourself - Can you imagine having two different work crews for the same job, one "nice" and one "not so great?" During a lunch break at a recent conference, I had the chance to chat with one of the event planners. Because the lunch items were just delicious and so nicely presented, I wanted to thank the planners.

While my body is working hard to heal, any type of positive message will be helpful. So I turn my grateful thoughts to the places on my body where I hurt the most. My jaw, my hand, my nose. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

"We have to deal with chaos now because only out of chaos is going to come the creativity of the future."

Appreciation - Advocate for the marginalized, well-known health care lobbyist on Capitol Hill, president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious during heightened scrutiny of religious life, a "center of power," Sr. Catherine Pinkerton modeled how to stand on the line of "what is and what is yet to be" in justice and care of people.

"We're praying the U.S. government would act more compassionately toward those seeking refuge in this country." 

Sr. Doyet Luarca never thought she would be among the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit who were doing mission for almost four decades in her Mangyan tribal community. But in a historic event in 2005, she professed her first vows in a ceremony mixed with Mangyan rituals. Since that time, she has worked extensively with indigenous people in the Philippines.

The School Sisters of Notre Dame, following the Gospel call to welcome the stranger, have welcomed Manal Mohammad Alazzam and her five children, letting the refugee family stay in a vacant house on their campus in Wilton, Connecticut. The sisters are partnering with the Wilton Interfaith Action Committee to support the family, with over 100 volunteers pitching in.

Notes from the Field - We have been organizing learning stations for tutoring children at the Immigrant Outreach Program. Through the stations as well as field trips, we hope to teach the children social and emotional skills to succeed on their own or in a group, so that they can navigate the world independently.

Congregational meetings about aging. Loss of loved ones. My 70th birthday. The U.S. political climate. All of these have focused me on the spirituality of loss. "Who am I now? Who are we now?" I ask. While I search for meaning as American women religious close ministerial institutions and motherhouses, everyday images unexpectedly grab me.