"In serving others, we can find a connectedness, a kinship that leads to binding joy."

As Kenyans were poised for a repeat presidential election Oct. 26 after a nullified vote last August, nuns in the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya played a significant role as poll observers and voter educators. 

"I discovered that you do not go to the margins to rescue anyone. But if we go there, everyone finds rescue."

On Oct. 28, 1992, I sat at my computer in St. Louis Missouri, with the radio on for background noise. I heard snatches of phrases about "Liberia … five nuns … missing." Snapping to attention, I realized this had to be us. We had five sisters in Liberia. They were: Srs. Shirley Kolmer, Mary Joel Kolmer, Kathleen McGuire, Agnes Mueller and Barbara Ann Muttra.

GSR Today - After a recent experience in Tanzania and Malawi of electrical blackouts, cold showers, limited or no internet, cooking with charcoal, and the sight of mountains stripped of trees, I was reminded of a project I had started to research how sisters in sub-Saharan Africa use solar energy.

The sisters of Congrégation de Notre-Dame didn't want to give up the same coffee they had been drinking for decades. But paying a fair wage to the poor farmers who grew the coffee beans was something they could get behind — one of 12 actions they're undertaking to lessen their environmental footprint.

"I believe that training is the only way to bring about individual and collective transformation toward gender equality. We aim to enhance gender consciousness and to ensure the rights of women, their security, well-being and sustainable development."

Sometimes the things that control us the most are the things about which we are the least conscious. I'm haunted by the idea that we all may blindly, unknowingly sacrifice our freedoms. 

"And to that I give a rousing 'Holy catoot'!" So ended a phone conversation with my sister, who was channeling Mom, now in heaven, and one of her favorite phrases. 

"Even if you are not familiar with how to use a smartphone and don't understand Twitter, you have an invaluable gift to offer the young: your presence."