"To hear the call of the human heart in another person means hearing truth. It puts your hand on the doorway to peace, comfort and understanding in someone's life. In the presence of another's truth, one can feel its impact. But then, the choice: to let it draw out the best in you — or harden one's heart into judgment, criticism or ignoring the call for response."

This story appears in the Preaching Truth feature series. View the full series.

Processing my recent 29 years in the Mississippi Delta, I have come to believe that the truth found in the stories of people's lives here, now, today, made my years there some of the best in my life. People's stories invited me to the deep truth about the connection, understanding and bonding which is part of the human heart.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Joann Blomme has been a Racine Dominican for over 50 years. Her ministries have included as an elementary teacher and principal and as new membership director within her community. She has an M.S. degree in educational psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and recently completed 29 years as a mental health counselor at a rural medical clinic in Tutwiler, Mississippi, which is staffed by local women as well as an intercommunity group of sisters.

by Joyce Meyer

International Liaison, Global Sisters Report

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The Pyinya Sanyae Institute of Education (PSIE), a unique teacher-training program in Yangon, Myanmar, has deep roots in 15th-century France. Sr. Grace Chia and Jacinta Cardoza are founders of this modern-day training program inspired by the Infant Jesus Sisters' founder.

After a 20-year career in business, caring for her husband in his last days, and completing a Doctor of Ministry degree, Jerilyn E. Felton became a lay consecrated woman associated with the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary community. She developed a model of spiritual/pastoral care using dogs in ministry, and is the founder of the Four-Footed Ministers pastoral care program.