GSR Today - During a recent visit to the provinces of Gia Lai and Kon Tum in the Central Highlands, I was introduced to some convents and a center for orphans, children with physical disabilities and those from poor families. The center is based in an area where religions are declared by government authorities not to exist.

"Instead of telling people about God's mercy, I try to share God's love with them and share my love through deeds. You don't need to use many words; rather you speak with your heart. People's curiosity takes them wherever their hearts are willing to go."

Three Stats and a Map - We hear often about the amount of plastic in the world's oceans, but many of us don't have a clear sense of what that looks like. However, thanks(?) to New Zealand-based data visualization firm Dumpark, we can now clearly see the extent of the damage.

The word "virtual" in relation to online activity has given the internet and social media a bad name when it comes to relationships. When talking about online interaction, we call it "virtual" in order to distinguish it from face-to-face interaction, which we call "real."

Notes from the Field - One of the main functions of my job is coordinating both Widening Horizons, the after-school program at our school, as well as class retreats for each of the grades. At the Student Life program, we want to help the students form their whole selves intellectually, physically and spiritually.

"The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will blossom like flowers."

In 2003, Dinknesh Amanuel was a strange sight at the Capuchin Theological Seminary at the main cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In a sea of priests, she was the first female student at the seminary. Amanuel is a member of the Maids of the Poor, a secular institute in Ethiopia.

GSR Today - There's been a sort of revolution spreading across the country. It's one that has been badly needed for decades and one that I honestly thought would never happen.

"Bread for myself is a material question. Bread for my neighbor is a spiritual one."

"The structured injustice of war, violence, sexual exploitation of women and girls, and the rape of Mother Earth at times seems overwhelming. Yet we stand facing these injustices not in despair but in hope."