Have you ever prayed so hard for someone or something very dear to your heart and felt disappointed when God did not grant your request?

The government shutdown says to Americans that some leaders are willing to forsake hardworking peoples' lives of dignity in exchange for a monument to fear, power and selfishness.

The Life – Sister panelists and their congregations are battling against what one sister calls the "scourge of trafficking." Their tactics focus on prevention and awareness as well as rehabilitation of survivors. They are educating governments and even the United Nations about this worldwide form of modern slavery.

Horizons: In addressing racism, no one is accusing contemporary whites for creating the system. They are pointing out that we are the ones who have benefitted from the system and continue to benefit from it at others' expense.

Ever since she was a young teenager, Sr. Clara Pitchai has worked to promote the welfare of domestic workers in India — an interest that prompted her to become a card-carrying member of the Communist Party for 14 years. The Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate sister is now leader of a 5,000-member union, educating domestic workers on social justice and conducting leadership training programs.

At age 65, and as one of the "younger" members of an aging and shrinking congregation of women religious in the United States, I have found myself called and gifted to be part of emerging programs in leadership development for young sister leaders in China and East Africa. These experiences are part of my work at DePaul University in Chicago as director of Vincent on Leadership: The Hay Project based on the leadership legacy of St. Vincent de Paul.

Sr. Mary Finn, now 84, is accused of having initiated sexual relationships with two Home Visitors of Mary novices in the early '70s while she was the novice director.

Francis of Assisi lived centuries ago, but his tradition of begging still applies to society today.