Marie Azzarello is a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal. As an adult educator in the Montreal Archdiocese, her workshops, seminars, retreats and talks have focused on ways in which the scriptural memory of Mary holds the key to a renewed image of discipleship for the church and opens the door to a community of equal disciples. Marie is the author of two books; concern for peace, justice, and environmental issues continue to find expression in her ministry of spirituality and writing.

by Joachim Pham

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In 2018, the Ministry of Public Security estimates that 1,579 children in Vietnam were victims of sexual abuse, rape, murder, violence or trafficking. In Hue City, the Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception are helping child workers — who sell snacks or fruit, labor in construction or do other low-paid work out of necessity for caring for their families — learn about their rights and also how to protect themselves from harassment, trafficking and abuse.

This story appears in the Notes from the Field feature series. View the full series.

Notes from the Field – I was fortunate to attend the 63rd session of the United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women. I wondered, under an administration that systematically dictates the exclusion of people from certain countries, what qualifies me to participate in these conversations?

Susan Doubet is a Benedictine Sister of Erie, Pennsylvania, and is currently the subprioress of the community. She is a former secondary teacher and administrator and has worked in numerous areas of communications for over 20 years.