"When a country is at war, there's no such thing as a safe place," said Fadi Ali, a Syrian refugee currently living with Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus sisters in Buenos Aires. The sisters sponsored him and his family through the Foundation of the Argentine Catholic Commission on Migration in 2015. To Ali, the sisters who took him in are "the best followers" of Jesus, and those who believe in whatever God they want, whatever prophet they want, must consider what those prophets would do today, he said.

"We're looking to our tradition: Our tradition is umuganda. But all cultures have a way they used to live together. It's about finding what used to bring the community together and modernizing it, but taking something that is inborn to the place."

Notes from the Field: Through a chance encounter, a series of unfortunate events, language barriers and a network of connections, a Catholic church helped connect the author to her new home and culture.

"The attitudes of openness, keeping boundaries and being hospitable can be cultivated and they too will change us."

Charity Sr. Margaret Beaudette created the bronze relief unveiled during Eastertide at the Church of the Ascension in New York, where hundreds of parishioners from the parish's diverse congregation turned out for a festive liturgy, blessing and dedication.

Sr. Ranjana Jose supported tribal women in India, guiding them to organize, stand up against exploitation by local moneylenders, and overcome poverty and superstition in their villages.

I joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy, whose charism — "Loving God and neighbor without distinction" — attracted me. My understanding of "neighbor" grew deeper working with the poor, the Dalits, and other marginalized people during my initial period of religious life and ministry. I found Jesus in them through ministries in education and religious formation.

"With the pope we have, I've learned that the Holy Spirit is an example of how we can work together, leaving the walls of our institutions and live out our religious life creatively, and I think it's an example of hope. Many sects of religious life dream about doing different things together, not alone. And I think the Spirit is what inspires that path and unity."

GSR Today - We're launching a new feature to share more voices from sisters around the world, and here's how you can help. We hope you will want to be involved in "The Life."