Chris Herlinger

Pope Francis' new climate apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum has given four representatives of sister congregations at the United Nations much to think about — and to praise. They shared their thoughts with GSR.

With a busy week of marches, workshops and a U.N. summit behind them, sisters and other Catholics say they must continue and expand their work to increase public pressure for change on climate action. 

Changes in congregational leadership have affected the leadership of the International Union of Superiors General, or UISG, with Sr. Mary Barron, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, assuming the position of president.

A United Nations summit acknowledges that sustainable development goals are "in peril," but attendees encourage women religious and others to continue efforts. 

Afghan and Ukrainian refugees find a home with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York, bringing "new life to these old walls."

Sr. Maggie McDermott recently retired from a 43-year-ministry at the Tolentine Zeiser Community Life Center in the Bronx. She spoke to GSR about homeless ministry and her work in providing day care for children.

Georgetown University hosted an online forum Sept. 14 discussing the challenging and demanding work environments of sisters who are "empowering the most vulnerable."

Monday Starter: The first of a three-part series of conversations by the International Union of Superiors General on synodality and the October Synod Assembly is Sept. 14. It will focus on the issue of communion. 

GSR Today - We opted not to travel to Haiti for on-the-ground reporting — it is too dangerous right now. Doing interviews from afar, Chris Herlinger was struck by how often the theme of kidnapping came up.

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation said its 2023 Humanitarian Prize will be awarded to the One Acre Fund, which reaches a network of 4 million farm families across nine African countries through a direct service program.

Church-based ministries and humanitarian programs in Haiti continue their work despite the considerable and daunting challenges.

The security and social situation in Haiti is as grave as it has ever been, say sisters, priests and humanitarian workers, who paint a grim picture of a country struggling amid gang domination that observers compare to terrorism.

The Habit of Poetry highlights the work of six American nuns and sisters who were publishing consistently in the "highest" American poetry publications, the places that the major American writers at that time were publishing in. 

"Beat Shazam" is a game show on the Fox network where two-person teams try to be the first to identify a song. There is a lot of music, a lot of dancing, and on June 20 there were a lot of sisters.

Monday Starter: The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa have accepted a proposal to sell several buildings at their motherhouse campus in southwest Wisconsin, Sinsinawa Mound. 

In the face of the full-scale Russian invasion of their country, Ukrainian women have shown unparalleled resilience and fortitude against considerable odds, both within and outside Ukraine.

GSR Today - On the U.N. International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict this year, as last, there is an understandable focus on sexual violence waged during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The recent flooding caused by a collapsed dam in southeastern Ukraine has demoralized residents who live close to the front lines of the Russo-Ukrainian war, says a Ukrainian sister who has been helping coordinate humanitarian efforts during the last 16 months and calls the situation "desperate."

The Sisters Anti-Trafficking Awards aim to highlight the work of Catholic sisters on the front lines against trafficking and to broaden and deepen the protection of communities vulnerable to trafficking worldwide.

Sr. Lydia Timkova has committed to regular trips across Ukraine to shepherd food and medical supplies to civilians living near the Russian front. Twice in 2023, Timkova has journeyed to where battles are raging.