One Franciscan Clarist sister is dedicated to providing therapy to children born with physical developmental problems using a technique developed by a Czech pediatric neurologist. Named for the doctor, Vojta treatments improve motor functions like hand flexibility and chewing. The sister says that the reason the treatments are not more widely used in her country of India is due to its lack of profitability.
"Prayer, if we pay attention, if we deepen, breaks out of linguistic bonds. Takes flight. Bores deep. It's free-form verse. As near as our next breath ... the quotidian that transcends to mystical."
Jane Falke grew up on a farm in Westphalia, Kansas, went to Ursuline Academy in Paola, Kansas, and then entered religious life. She has master's degrees in mathematics and pastoral studies. She became a member of the Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph in Kentucky when the Ursuline Sisters of Paola merged with that community. She taught in grade and high schools for 24 years, served in leadership and as a parish business manager; since 2008, she has been at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, in the counseling, development and now refugee and legal services offices.
Sr. Tracey Horan, a GSR contributor, will be presented the 2017 Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development on June 14.
Contemplate This - In one of the post-Resurrection accounts in the Scripture (John 21) some of the disciples went fishing with Peter. All night they caught nothing. Then at daybreak, Jesus — who was standing on the shore, though none of the disciples recognized him — asked if they had caught anything.
Notes from the Field - While we may not hold the title of "Sister," we Good Shepherd Volunteers have been blessed by the sisters' willingness to share their spirituality — a spirituality I have learned can be relevant to anyone, not just those in religious life.
Dublin - Responding to contention over potential religious influence at a new taxpayer-funded National Maternity Hospital, Irish religious order announces it will end its involvement with St. Vincent's Healthcare Group.
Sr. Anna Do Thi Tam witnessed mass starvation and persecution of Catholics in northern Vietnam from the 1940s to the 1970s, and spoke to GSR about the suffering she witnessed.
For those of us experiencing midlife in religious life right now it is difficult to experience the concept of "generativity." Complacency and conformity are among our biggest threats. We need urgently to be nonconformists.