"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." I like the quote because it keeps me in the present moment.

Human trafficking is a potent global issue to religious sisters and their colleagues within Catholic humanitarian networks. The Sisters of St. John the Evangelist combat trafficking in Haiti through Santa Teresita del Niño Jesús, a shelter for potentially trafficked children and unaccompanied minors trying to cross the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. 

"We always hold things in balance. That's what virtue is, holding things in balance. Not going to the extremes. Grace for me is that means of holding things together and seeing that the ultimate end of the story is not us."

"It's amazing how God leads you down his little pathway and all you have to do is say, 'Yes, I'll try it,' and then all these doors and windows get opened if you follow the lead of the Shepherd." 

See for Yourself - "God is in this business. My kids think I'm crazy, but I believe that God is very present and actively directs my work," said Ralph, a friend for years with whom I was chatting recently.

As I moved into my day, the whole process of rebuilding the foundation for our compost bin struck me as an echo of what I've seen and participated in over the past 18 months at my ministry. I came on the scene as many vulnerable people were feeling toppled. 

Mali's Catholic Church said it hopes to obtain the release of a kidnapped Franciscan nun after her Islamist captors released a video showing her pleading with the pope to help save her life.

Starting in 1945, Albania was ruled by the harsh and repressive communist regime led by Enver Hoxha. The government persecuted and killed hundreds of clerics and laypeople.

Sr. Madonna Buder, an 87-year-old nicknamed "The Iron Nun," began completing Ironman triathlons — swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles, and running a marathon (26.2 miles) — when she was 47. Since then, she's completed at least 45.written a book, was featured in a 2016 Nike commercial, and traveled the world for speaking engagements. She is a member of the Sisters for Christian Community who lives in Spokane, Washington, and talked to Global Sisters Report about running as an opportunity for mindfulness and prayer.

Our consecration is within and around us. We do not have to search for the consecrated life as something "up there," but rather the "beyond" that lies within.