GSR Today

On the last day of our silent retreat at Collier High School in Wickatunk, New Jersey, we ate breakfast together and spoke with the sisters.

As my year of service comes to a close, one last community check-in

By Caileigh Pattisall
I stand alongside Sr. Kelly O'Mahony, left, of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky, and Carolyn Cromer, director of ecological sustainability with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, two women who have been incredible mentors and friends of mine

Finding meaning along the journey of service

By Julia Gerwe
In June 2021, we flew out to Portland to meet my half-brother, Ollie, and his family. We spent a week with them, exploring all over Portland. We went to a beautiful waterfall on this day and took our first family photo. (Courtesy of Caileigh Pattisall)

After a loss and a gift, I am rebuilding my trust in God

By Caileigh Pattisall
Last summer, I visited the Nelson County Fair's rodeo, a much-anticipated event in the community, with two other AmeriCorps volunteers, Jane Rudnick (above, center) and River Fuchs (right). (Courtesy of Julia Gerwe)

Seeds planted in rural living provide a roadmap to unity

By Julia Gerwe
In every restorative justice training with the New York Peace Institute, they set this up in the center of our circle. (Courtesy of Caileigh Pattisall)

My year of service has shown me the many facets of social justice work

By Caileigh Pattisall

Sister dispatches from Ukraine

By Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great
From left: Dominican Sr. Carol Coston, Network's founding executive director; Ursuline Sr. Angela Fitzpatrick; Elizabeth Morancy, a former Sister of Mercy; and Sr. Mary Hayes of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

Network's 50th anniversary gala shows how the group will march into the future

By Michele Morek
Wicked questions help us learn about the world around us. I used the "wicked question" line of thought to investigate this partial jawbone found during an environmental education training, discovering it was likely a deer. (Courtesy of Katherine Bullock)

Wicked questions lead to reflection on mental health in service

By Julia Gerwe
In one art therapy group, we explored painting with watercolor. I wanted the boys to explore landscapes and visualize where they feel calm. (Caileigh Pattisall)

Making bracelets with the boys was my first breakthrough to relationship

By Caileigh Pattisall
Replica of the Pietà in the courtyard of St. Christopher Church in Hobe Sound, Florida (GSR photo/Gail DeGeorge)

As we enter triduum, a prayer for hope in a time of fear and uncertainty

By Gail DeGeorge
Eyes wide, Julia marvels at the amphibian eggs she's holding, exploring the first signs of new life in vernal pools during springtime in Nazareth, Kentucky.
Justice

Investing in our planet can look like simplicity, connection and hope

By Julia Gerwe
During our last retreat, we spent the final day making a collage that brought us back to our social justice story. It felt good to reflect why I'm here doing this work and set aside intentions for the remainder of the year. (Caileigh Pattisall)

Thinking existentially at the 'gates of Hope'

By Caileigh Pattisall
From left: Sr. Pat McDermott; Sr. Margo Ritchie; Sr. Alice Drajea; and Sr. Marie Antoinette Saadé (Courtesy of Sisters of Mercy of the Americas; Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada; International Union of Superiors General)

Amid UISG plenary's first phase, leaders share stories of loss and hope

By Joyce Meyer
One of my favorite spots for spiritual reflection and grounding at Nazareth is on the banks of our ponds, as pictured here. (Courtesy of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth)

After two years of service, I see a spiritual way forward

By Julia Gerwe
Going through the Missouri Youth Services Institute training had me thinking about my own new community this year. This was the very first photo my Good Shepherd Volunteer community took together.

The importance of meaningful relationships and empathy

By Caileigh Pattisall
Julia Gerwe, left, embraces her call to serve with Srs. Susan Gatz, center, and Rosemarie Kirwan, at a November 2021 food distribution site in Nelson County, Kentucky, home of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. (Courtesy of Danielle Hagler)

Alongside Sisters of Charity, I slowed down and embraced the call to serve

By Julia Gerwe
Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 21, 2021. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

At nine years, Pope Francis channels the spirit of Catholic sisters

By Mary J. Novak, Religion News Service
From left: Nina Dorsett, Emily Michaelis, Sr. Louise Ann Micek, Emma Shay, and I are pictured in a selfie. We ate at a restaurant in downtown San Diego after our service with migrants to reflect about our experiences. (Courtesy of Sisters of St. Joseph)

To be part of womankind is to be limitless

By Jaesen Evangelista
This poster outside the Barbara Blum Residence, the Good Shepherd Services' home for boys, was a project of a group at the house and a reminder that they are all in this together. (Caileigh Pattisall)

The unexpected guides me to a whole new social justice mission

By Caileigh Pattisall
My work to advance the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth's mission to care for the Earth often leads me to reflect on the ideal relationship between people and the land. (Julia Gerwe)

Reflection in quarantine reveals the importance of incarnation

By Julia Gerwe