Loreto Sr. Ephigenia Gachiri, 71, has traveled across rural Kenya for the past 16 years educating people about the dangers of FGM. She created ways to honor cultural tradition while protecting young girls from the harmful ceremony that is used to signal transition to adulthood. More than 130 million girls and women alive today have undergone the ceremonial cutting in the 29 countries where it is practiced, mostly in Africa and parts of the Arab world.

GSR Today - The Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary in Voinjama, Liberia, reported in their Christmas newsletter that they are currently waiting for their third Ebola-free declaration.

From A Nun's Life podcasts - How did Henriette Delille overcome cultural issues and social standing dictated by race to begin the Sisters of the Holy Family congregation?

"Religious life is a life before it's an institution. So even though the institutions around us are changing, it's a chance to deepen our lives."

What an opportunity Pope Francis has given us in the Year of Mercy! It feels like something beautiful is dawning. It is a chance to rediscover and put forth the best of who we are. A few weeks ago, I went to an Advent production at a local church. It is a fairly new and up-and-coming "mega church" that presents itself as "relationship, not religion." The huge sanctuary filled up with people, including many young families, for the show. Outside the sanctuary, the building buzzed with activity. There was a coffee bar, couches, meeting rooms, and activities happening for people of all ages. Strangely, I found myself sad as I observed it all. Not sad because something good is happening there.

The face of theological studies in the U.S. used to be male, white and clerical, until Holy Cross Sr. Mary Madeleva Wolff established the first graduate theology school for women at Saint Mary's College while she was president there. The new School of Sacred Theology opened its first class on June 19, 1943.

GSR Today - In the rapidly changing nature of journalism in the Internet era, once-dominant reporters and commentators are quickly forgotten. That, of course, is the risk journalists take on careers based on the immediacy of events and trends and issues that seem important at the time but are quickly scattered to the winds of the ephemeral.

"Winter brings us full circle to discover what is central in our lives."

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year to slow down and reflect on the great mystery of God among us. This year I was reflecting how God shows up unexpectedly in people we might otherwise pass by.

See for Yourself - A new year affords the opportunity to look forward to all the new things one can imagine doing, changing, or becoming. The new year also provides the chance to look back on life.