Three members of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ministering in Texas were named the winners of the Lumen Christi (Light of Christ) Award given each year by Catholic Extension. The three winners – Srs. Carolyn Kosub, Emily Jocson and Fatima Santiago – arrived in the South Texas "colonia" of Penitas, located in the Diocese of Brownsville, in 2003 after a tornado ravaged the poverty-ridden community, and since then have worked with residents to help meet some of their most basic needs.

For nearly 130 years, the Missionary Benedictine Sisters have made it their mission to spread the Gospel, reaching 19 countries and five continents. However, in recent years, the sisters have been expanding their mission to reach cyberspace.

Nuns on the Bus Blog - Nuns on the Bus spent some time in Louisiana and Georgia before swinging up to the Mile High State to hold a Town Hall for the 100% and take part in early voting. Global Sisters Report has enjoyed being along for the virtual ride and sharing news from the road as the sisters post it.

Three Stats and a Map - Although we’re more than a month past the autumnal equinox, in many parts of the U.S., it’s only now beginning to look like fall. To celebrate cooler temps, shorter days and changing leaves, here are a few fun fall stats.

I'm frustrated by the news that the bishops at the Extraordinary Synod on the Family backtracked on the cordial tone of the interim document released after the first week of discussions. Do these bishops know what it means to show a pastoral face? Wasn’t this synod called to discuss “pastoral issues?” LGBT persons and their allies did not make excessive demands. They were seeking some kind words of welcome.

“I am, because we are.”

GSR Today - Global Sisters Report launched its website April 22, and today I’m celebrating the name, the staff, the Catholic sisters and the catholic values that drive our work. Here's a list of some favorite articles showing the scope of the stories we share.

When Immaculate Heart of Mary Sr. Kathleen Burns built a website for her congregation in 1995, she wasn’t aware that she was making history. But as it turned out, her (300-page, hand-coded!) website was the very first website solely for Catholic women religious in existence.

GSR Today - In the weeks leading up to the Synod, it became clear that many people simply wanted to be heard. The fact that they were – including 14 married couples who spoke directly to the gathering – was in itself a bit surprising.

Like their foremothers who never gave up their traditional social status nor accepted the low social position accorded them in the new colonial order, like courageous traditional African women who never shied away from pursing social justice, African Catholic nuns – “the sisters” – are active in their various congregations to ensure social justice for all.