"Seeds of Justice can be planted deep by our recognizing that the inner and outer are connected. No thing can happen except in connection."

Notes from the Field - Two of the biggest gifts I received from my time at Franciscan Mission Service were courage and confidence. I typically avoid the spotlight at all costs. But God has a sense of humor and ways of pushing us to overcome the things we're afraid of.

Last year, Sr. Sandra Schneiders turned 80 and marked 60 years as an Immaculate Heart of Mary sister and 40 years as a faculty member of Jesuit School of Theology. Her work in biblical studies, Christian spirituality and religious life is highlighted in a new exhibit at Santa Clara University. "To Trace the Course of Wisdom: The Prophetic Spirituality of Sandra M. Schneiders Illuminated Through The Saint John's Bible" is on view through March 17.

GSR Today - Could we say that collaboration is the new common charism of religious life today? This is not to discount our historical individual community charisms, but to highlight a new gift of women religious to a world very much in need of it.

Sister Marie Claire, a Hindu convert, joined the Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate when she was 17 and running away from an arranged marriage. She became an artist whose work reflects the messages of Jesus and the church's mission in India.

"Love is the most important thing in the whole world. I feel like this is 100 percent of what the Catholic church teaches."

What drew me to Thomas Merton (and still does) was his deep inner search for truth and light, his inner yearning for God.

I attended a conference recently that led me to reflect upon the importance of raising awareness of sexual violence against children and protecting them from abuse. Children need better information, parents need to speak up and society needs to actively protect the vulnerable.

GSR Today - We don't like the unknown. We don't like not knowing what's going to happen. We fear the path we cannot see. The unknown has many people afraid right now.

"If standing up for justice and for peace for all people should call us to leave behind what's comfortable and what's safe, will we, too, be compelled?"