Sr. Xiomara Méndez-Hernández's journey to becoming an Adrian Dominican began in the fashion world, continued as an associate, and was made official when she professed her final vows Dec. 18 in Santo Domingo, capital of her home country, the Dominican Republic. Today, she's a hospital chaplain for Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago.

Despite sisters' efforts, social acceptance of sex tourism on Kenya's coast means victims are unlikely to seek help. Sex work, including for children, is seen as an acceptable means of earning a living in coastal Kenya. What is seen as a quick way out of poverty makes it hard for women and men religious to rescue young girls from sexual exploitation.

"To members of Congress, I say, arrest a nun, not a Dreamer."

Catholic sisters were among those supporting immigration reform and justice for young people brought to the United States illegally as children Feb. 27 at the U.S. Capitol.

Notes from the Field - Its name, "the House of the Good Samaritan," speaks to the fact that it is a place where the hands of others come to support and heal those who were broken. The hands of the four-person nursing staff act as the healing hands of God in Gros Morne, Haiti.

From NCR - Earlier this month, I received a rather nasty email via my website. On the contact form, the sender stated her "Reason for Contact" as "Affronted Catholic." She had been to NCR's website and read my post-election column.

"Black Power is not foreign to Yahweh and Yahweh is not foreign to Black Power. There is a covenant of friendship there. The cause of Justice is and always will be in strict accordance with the Will of God."

GSR Today - I left my desk on Feb. 21 to go talk about the Trump administration's proposal to repeal the Clean Power Plan. It was one of just four public listening sessions held by the EPA in the entire U.S., and it was in Kansas City. How could I live here and not go?

"These young people remain at risk and deserve permanent protection and a chance to plan their futures. Catholic advocates should continue to push Congress and the president to grant them a path to citizenship."

When I professed vows as a Marianist Sister this past May, I joined a community of not just my own sisters (roughly 350 globally) but an entire, worldwide, Marianist community of roughly one thousand Marianist Brothers and thousands more of committed Marianist laypeople.