"It is like putting a light in a dark place."

As I watered the beans and pick squash, tomatoes and basil, I thought, “I really would just like to be in the quiet of this summer garden and not go to Washington, DC in the morning.” But, the next day while the Big Dipper is still visible in the sky, I awoke to catch a very early morning flight out of Albuquerque for our nation’s capital. I was one of 12 faith leaders traveling to the White House to receive a Champion of Change award for work on climate change on July 20.

See for Yourself - Among those who perished as a result of World War II, two in particular who died very young stand as brilliant examples of the human spirit.

Christians in India seem to be jittery these days. They feel helpless amid unprecedented attacks they have been facing for some time now. In India, where rape is the fourth most common crime against women — after domestic violence, assaults with intent “to outrage the modesty of a woman” and abduction — it should come as no surprise that Catholic nuns are among the victims. Some have called the attacks “deliberate attempts” to intimidate the Christian community. Others, however, say the violence is a reaction because women religious appear to the public as independent women living with property, money and status.

"Bloom where you are planted."

Three Stats and a Map - Data shows that inmates in U.S. federal prisons are more religious than the general U.S. population. This week's Three Stats and a Map takes a closer look at the numbers.

Notes from the Field - This is my first experience of the registration process for the sister’s kindergarten. In a bucket there are 40 pieces of paper with a stamp on it, and the rest are blank. In the sister’s compound children are crowding in to draw to see if they can attend the sister’s kindergarten.

From A Nun's Life podcasts - How can sports like open-water swimming be a form of prayer? For one, there are no distractions.

St. Joseph Sr. Stella Auricchio, 84, is Sr. Camille D'Arienzo's cousin who spent many years as high school campus minister. She now volunteers in St. Francis Xavier Elementary School and offers communion services for parishioners.