Three women who recently took final vows as Maryknoll sisters after a lengthy discernment process said they were drawn to the order by a lifestyle of simplicity, its international presence and the diversity of its mission work. Srs. Abby Avelino, Julia Shideler and Anastasia Lee took their final vows during a Mass attended by nearly 250 people in Westchester County, N.Y., As Maryknoll sisters, they are part of an international order with approximately 500 members serving in 25 countries. In taking their final vows, the women publicly committed to lives of poverty, chastity and obedience.

GSR Today - In the spirit of Thanksgiving week, we turn the spotlight on thoughts about gratitude from women religious, on sisters who live thankful lives and start looking ahead toward Advent, which begins Sunday.

See for Yourself - Having high-tech devices means that every now and then something will malfunction and the device needs to be taken for technical evaluation. The other day I experienced something unusual with my iPhone that I didn’t know how to troubleshoot, so I took it to an Apple store in the mall.

The first International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking has been announced for Feb. 8, the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese slave who eventually was freed and became a Canossian nun.

Three Stats and a Map - Thanksgiving is a loaded holiday – depending on who you are, the United States’ annual Turkey Day can illicit feelings ranging from blissful gratitude to indignation (reasons for the latter including the historical mistreatment of Native Americans and the current culture of overconsumption).

A decade ago, some Lovers of the Holy Cross of Nha Trang nuns noticed that over 30 graves were in bad condition at Dong Tien parish cemetery. The other tombs were decorated with incense, candles and flowers, as is customary in Vietnam to show respect for the dead. The nuns took it upon themselves to weed the grass and wild plants from those neglected graves. Their ministry inspired others to help rebury unmarked graves into proper tombs in the Catholic cemeteries.

A year after Haiyan struck, the work of various foreign and local civic groups who jumped in to help continues. Aside from Catholic church agencies, an Israeli military team and an American Jewish group are among those providing assistance.

Want to add something special to your Thanksgiving feast? Look no further! NCR contributor and host of The IN Network's INNdustry with Sr. Rose, Sr. Rose Pacatte and Ruthie Blacksea joined forces to make savory grape and gorgonzola truffles on this special Thanksgiving edition of Blacksea's show.