There are many kinds of pioneers, and the Sisters of St. Ann demonstrate this superb diversity. Since their founding in Quebec, Canada, by Blessed Marie Anne Blondin in 1850, their original spirit continues vigorously today. Four sisters and a lay woman made the two-month ocean voyage down the Atlantic coast, became some of the first women to cross Panama by train before the canal, then sailed north along the Pacific coast, where the bishop of Portland wanted them to serve in his diocese.

“Prayer. The world’s greatest wireless connection.” Those words on a sweatshirt greeted me as I opened a gift from my sister. I immediately thought this conveys one aspect of how we understand exercising contemplative power. Think about it. When we are on the Internet, we have instant access to almost anyone on this planet. Through an intricate web of electromagnetic waves, we can start a revolution – be part of a flash mob – generate interest so that an idea or an action ‘goes viral.’ Without seeing the waves radiating outward, we know we are connected.

"We must be clear and unequivocal in challenging our communities to live fully the tenets of peace and coexistence found in each religion, and to denounce acts of violence when they are committed."

Three Stats and a Map - January is a big PR month for those people and agencies combatting human trafficking. For one, Sunday was Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and in the U.S. the entire month is designated for slavery and human trafficking prevention. In the last few years, numerous campaigns against modern-day slavery have been started, and as Megan Sweas reports, sisters are often at the forefront of these efforts.

GSR Today - “What a steep learning curve!” we often hear people say as they find themselves in a new job, ministry or unfamiliar situation. It’s challenging to discover what is happening, understand a different culture or perspective, consider how to approach situations and chart new ways forward. That’s where we are when it comes to human trafficking: on a steep learning curve.

Dominican Sr. Donna Markham has been chosen to succeed Fr. Larry Snyder as the new president of Catholic Charities USA. The announcement was made Jan. 12 at Catholic Charities headquarters in Alexandria, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Markham becomes the first woman to lead Catholic Charities, which was founded in 1910. She will officially take over from Snyder June 1.

From A Nun's Life podcasts - What is "spiritual" itinerancy and how is it part of life for Dominican Sisters of Peace? In this Random Nun Clip, we talk with the sisters about spiritual itinerancy and community life as Dominican Sisters of Peace.

"Our present human community is hungering for transcendence, to evolve to a new level of life that is more unified, peaceful and collaborative."

In 1996 Sr. Mary Consolata Bui Thi Bong was a pioneer in joining hands with local followers of Buddhism, Protestantism and Cao Dai, a syncretic belief system founded in Vietnam, to serve people living with HIV/AIDS through a project funded by Norway-based Nordic Assistance to Vietnam (NAV). Now local Catholics and Buddhists still cooperate with one another on giving material and spiritual support to people with HIV/AIDS.

GSR Today via NCR Today - Dominican Sr. Donna Markham has been selected the new president of Catholic Charities USA, the national office for Catholic Charities agencies nationwide. Markham succeeds Fr. Larry Snyder, the current president, on June 1.