Sydney Clark

Sydney Clark is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she received her master's in multiplatform journalism. She is a student member of the National Association of Black Journalists and a multimedia freelancer with Catholic News Service, the Hyattsville Life & Times, and College Park Here & Now.

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Sr. Cora Marie Billings desegregated the Sisters of Mercy community in Merion, Pennsylvania, in 1956. (Courtesy of Sisters of Mercy)

Q & A with Sr. Cora Marie Billings on Black Catholicism and her life of 'firsts'

Cora Marie Billings, whose devout family fought against racial barriers to fully participate in the Catholic faith, entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1956, becoming the first Black member of the Philadelphia community.

Mercy Sr. Percylee Hart cheers on Union Catholic Regional High School alumna Sydney McLaughlin on Aug. 3 as she competes in the 2020 Olympics. McLaughlin won a gold medal in the women's 400-meter hurdles event that day. (Courtesy of Jim Lambert)

Q & A with Sr. Percylee Hart on 50 years in education and cheering on Olympian Sydney McLaughlin

Mercy Sr. Percylee Hart is thrilled that Union Catholic Regional High School track alumna Sydney McLaughlin won two gold medals at the 2020 Olympics. A 50-year veteran of Catholic education, Hart says "each one of us has a path that leads us to the gold" — a path that empowers students to reach their full potential.

Caldwell University nursing student Elizabeth Ann McChesney visits with Dominican Sr. Rita Calabrese at the St. Catherine of Siena Convent in Caldwell, New Jersey. (Courtesy of Caldwell University)

Nursing students bring aid, community to retired Dominican sisters amid the pandemic

Two Caldwell University nursing students were hired to work at St. Catherine of Siena Convent as nursing assistants during the Spring 2021 semester. After the semester ended, both kept working there.

Deo Gratias Ministries Detroit co-directors Sr. Shelley Marie Jeffrey, left, and Sr. Felicity Marie Madigan sort and organize supplies in the food pantry. (Courtesy of the Felician Sisters of North America)

Sisters repurpose their COVID-19 stimulus checks to aid those in need

Congregations have pooled economic impact payments sisters have received from the U.S. government during the coronavirus pandemic, and they've used the funds to establish grants for vulnerable communities.

Virtual event encourages participants to discover, respond to God-given gifts

The Given Institute's online "Discover the Gift" event focused on a three-part theme centered around young adult Catholic women: receive the gift that they are, realize the gifts they've been given and respond with the gifts only they can give.

"Discover the Gift" keynote speakers, from left: Life Sr. Virginia Joy, Debbie Herbeck, Carmelite Mother Gloria Therese, Dr. Myma Albayda and Sonia Quintero (Given Institute)

Given Institute hosts virtual event, postpones women's leadership forum

In place of its annual leadership forum for young Catholic women, the Given Institute this year is hosting an online five-day event open to women of all ages titled "Discover the Gift," taking place June 10-14.

Speakers: God calls people to build community, proclaim Gospel of life

According to Sr. Bethany Madonna, vocations director for the Sisters of Life, one's circumstances change, yet life is a gift.