"It is possible to learn from creation how to communicate, coordinate and celebrate the truth we see within and around us."

In 1998 Fr. Timothy Radcliffe was Master of the Dominican Order and the people of Iraq were experiencing the burden of U.S. sanctions. Radcliffe, informing us we had “family” in Iraq, asked how we might be sister and brother to our family in the Middle East. It had never dawned on me that there were Dominicans in Iraq. We have discovered and are discovering that relationships call us out of ourselves and into the lives of one another on a profoundly personal and enriching basis. Our sisterhood connects us and provides the courage to strengthen the bonds of friendship and love that will last our lifetimes.

GSR Today - Most children in Vanuatu need help after Cyclone Pam; Haiti's reconstruction is lagging far behind expectations; and Christian minorities who fled Islamic State persecution seem to face perpetual displacement.

We expect nature to be fixed and predictable; yet, we are constantly challenged by nature’s subtle playfulness. Buddhists speak of nature’s impermanence. Things change from moment to moment, never ceasing in the endless flow of life. The most apt word to describe nature is relationship. Life is relational all the way back to the Big Bang. A modern commentary on the Big Bang might begin: “In the beginning is relationship and out of energized relationships new life emerges.”

Catholic schools with ties to a variety of religious congregations were well represented during the March 9-20 Commission on the Status of Women conference at the United Nations and a parallel event known as the NGO CSW Forum that marked the accomplishments, and noted the continued challenges, of women in the two decades since the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Between them, the two events hosted topical presentations from a variety of women’s groups, including Catholic sisters whose work is trying to improve the status of women throughout the world.

Lenten mindfulness makes for an awkward dance. The past few years, I have tried to fast from technology during Lent in one way or another. During this season that invites consciousness and conversion, I have longed for freedom from the shame that I feel about spending most of my time interacting with machines. Whether it’s limiting my social media time or quitting it all together, I have tried to honor my cravings for less screen time and more soul-centered time.

See for Yourself - The extreme cold, snow, and overall harsh conditions across the United States during the past two winters of 2014 and 2015 really bring out the adjective “polar” as we described conditions to each other. Indeed, polar described it well. 

Statistically, I am one of the nearly 100,000 Catholic religious women spread over 244 congregations in India. I am also considered a youth since I am under 35 years old. Young nuns make up about 60 percent of the total number of religious women in the country. So, I represent categories such as Christian, Catholic, missionary, women, religious and youth. And each category poses its own unique challenges. As Christians are facing increasing attacks these days, I am made to be conscious of my minority status in India. Christians form only 2.18 percent of the country’s 1.27 billion people. Catholics are just 1.5 percent.

Holy Cross Sr. Joan Marie Steadman finds herself in a unique position: As the executive director of an organization, she must implement decisions, sometimes quickly. But Steadman is the executive director of an organization known for its contemplative, collaborative – and time consuming – process for making decisions. As of Jan. 1, Steadman is the executive director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.