Notes from the Field - Those of us who grew up in a religious environment can attest to hearing "Live simply so that others can simply live" rather often. One of the goals of being a Good Shepherd Volunteer is to implement this idea, focusing on the tenant of simplicity in our own lives while serving alongside communities that don't necessarily have a choice in living this value.

Crying is something that only humans can do. When we see a beautiful work of art, attend a sacred service or a lovely concert, we may cry tears of beauty. These emotional tears seem to be tapping into our deeper, spiritual selves.

Three women, survivors of clergy sexual abuse, shared their harrowing accounts during a Nov. 27 testimony-sharing and panel discussion in Rome, meant to raise up women's voices in the global discussion about abuse and cover-up.

Apparent good Samaritans turned out to be nothing of the sort after allegedly stealing Christmas presents from two Little Sisters of the Poor outside the Costco in Columbia near Baltimore Nov. 26.

If you want to hear the voices of the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist, the best bet is to listen to them sing at the White House National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse outside the White House on Nov 28.

It was Jan. 20, 2017, and Sr. Susan Rose Francois, a member of the Congregation Leadership Team for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, believed she needed to respond in some way to the presidency of Donald Trump. Almost two years later, Trump is still president and Francois is still tweeting her prayers, which usually focus on leadership, healing divisions and choosing goodness over evil. She tweets a prayer every day except when she is on retreat and during Holy Week.

On Sept. 4, 1838, 859 members of the Native American Potawatomi Nation began a forced relocation march from their home near Twin Lakes, Indiana, to Kansas. Three years later, on June 29, 1841, four Religious of the Sacred Heart departed from St. Louis to found a school for native girls at the Jesuit mission in Sugar Creek, Kansas, where the Potawatomi had ultimately settled. Every five years since 1983, the Potawatomi have organized a caravan to retrace the Trail of Death. 

The International Union of Superiors General has called on women religious who have suffered abuse to come forward and report it to their congregations and church and state authorities.

I feel weary of seeing article after article about sexual abuse by priests. I want to scream, "Enough already!" But maybe not enough yet, because such abuse has also been perpetrated on women and nuns.

The Life - Has the church left young people? Do youth have enough adult leadership? Are we listening to their wisdom? Is the church truly home? Do they feel responsible and valued? Accompaniment … listening … building prayer and community …"walking the talk" … making them feel valued … changing our own hearts — these are some of the ideas sisters shared when asked about young people leaving the church.