As the sun creeped patiently above the horizon solid darkness melted and light formed day. The sweet smell of perennials sailed through the morning breeze, dusting away the staleness of night. Sacred prayers rose from hearts, churches and temples around the world. Have you ever wondered how God can be in so many places at one time; hear a multitude of prayers; love every single person unconditionally at the same time?

Nuns on the Bus Blog - We see a wellspring of hope with the possibility of eradicating the current culture of fear dominating much of the political environment around us. Accompanying that hope, we also see a wellspring of creativity among the people who attend the Nuns on the Bus rallies and caucuses, sharing their visions and dreams for another way forward.

"Sometimes all we can do is pray."

GSR Today - It's easy to be concerned about the United States' practice of detaining immigrants. It's easy to be upset about imprisoning people fleeing violence and oppression. But even for those of us who are concerned and upset, it is still easy to forget what a profound effect mass detention is having.

For centuries, the Church taught that God is impassible, that God could suffer in his humanity but not his divinity. This belief became difficult in the 20th century when war after war — and all that war entailed — consumed millions of innocent lives.

The only nonprofit redemption center in New York City, Sure We Can, is an economic lifeline for more than 400 canners. They can cash in what they've gathered — in small amounts or bulk — for the state-mandated 5 cents per piece, or they can earn a bit more by counting and sorting. The organization, co-founded in 2007 by Sr. Martinez de Luco and Eugene Gadsden, has become a community and has plans to acquire its own property and become economically sustainable.

Three Stats and a Map - It seems, these days, like every day there is a new report of violence. Whether violence to our environment, or violence to one another, these are not peaceful times in which we are living. There is much need for people to step in and do their part — as activists, innovators, and spiritual leaders — in order to help change the course.

Nus on the Bus Blog - We as a people face some critical choices as we decide what kind of a people — a country — we want to be. The urgency and importance of our choices become more apparent as Nuns on the Bus travels along.

Nuns on the Bus Blog - On the 10th day of the Nuns on the Bus tour, we encountered more of the heartbreak and hope that we enter more deeply each day on this journey throughout U.S. cities and towns.

From NCRonline.org - Pope Francis has issued a new set of guidelines for how Catholic women religious living in contemplative communities around the world should regulate their lifestyles, calling on them to implement changes in 12 areas.