"During ages such as these, in this time of terrorism and disasters, my sense is that the Spirit is inviting all of us to become masters of reverence. We must tread upon all ground with mindfulness and gratitude; we must move with care and kindness. Each encounter of grounds made holy — whether by the horrors of history, the hurt of humanity or by God's creative work—is an opportunity to pass through with consciousness and love."

The once-oppressed have now joined the oppressors in Myanmar. Continuing centuries of suffering and violence in the country's history, the current plight involves Myanmar's army rampaging across the state of Rakhine, killing hundreds and displacing thousands; the country's leader, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, "is chief apologist for this cleansing."

"How dare she dream!" These authoritarian words were firmly imprinted in my mind. I was paralyzed and shocked. To which voice do I listen? The voice of my superiors, or the inner voice?

On the campus of the Comboni Missionaries in Juba, South Sudan, a monthly Recollection service helps religious cope with the stress of serving in a country enduring a civil war. Sisters, brothers and priests from different congregations come to the service for time to be together, prayer, community and quiet moments of solitude.

"All too often, water is treated as an infinite free good. Yet even where supplies are sufficient or plentiful, they are increasingly at risk from pollution and rising demand. By 2025, two thirds of the world’s population is likely to live in countries with moderate or severe water shortages. Fierce national competition over water resources has prompted fears that water issues contain the seeds of violent conflict."

See for Yourself - An example of calm stands out in a hectic world.

We arrive at the memorial already soaked. The rain has been pouring down for about an hour, making our one little umbrella woefully insufficient for our entire group. We huddle in the cab, unwilling to take that first step out into the dark, wet city. We are five Catholic sisters from different corners of the United States, and we are to become a holy trinity of sisterhood marking this spot sacred with our feet.

GSR Today - The people I cover, Catholic sisters and other humanitarians in countries like South Sudan, are not in a position to help a journalist contact local militia. Nor should they be, especially when the military may be accused of human rights abuses.

"For those of us for whom our Catholic faith provides a moral compass, we know that Jesus challenges us to have a particular concern for those who are living in poverty and struggling to provide for their families in our harsh economic reality."