GSR Today - The detention of assylees coming from Central America into the United States continues to be an issue, as the U.S. government is appealing last month's court decision ruling detention a violation.

Beatrice Bruteau was a brilliant woman, but only a few people know of her work. She was a contemplative scholar with a unique combination of intellectual gifts — philosophy, mathematics, natural sciences, psychology — and she brought these gifts to bear on her penetrating insights on evolution and human becoming, which she described in several seminal books.

See for Yourself - Our work team members leaned back in our chairs, held up the multi-page work product document, and air high-fived each other around the room. “We did it, everyone, despite some naysayers who were sure we wouldn’t or couldn’t. Congratulations. And thank you,” I said as the project leader.

"I would encourage you to keep in mind all those people around us who are trapped in a cycle of poverty. They too need to be given hope. The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts, especially in its causes."

Over the past year I have encountered men and women religious from a variety of charisms, backgrounds and opinions. I have participated in an inter-community novitiate program, traveled to motherhouses and priories across the country, and engaged in formal and informal discussions about the vows and the witness of religious life in our day. It has been a year of encounter, and this encounter has fueled my discernment in new and beautiful ways — including, of course, the letting-go of my stereotypes. Pope Francis has spoken repeatedly of this, of our need for a church that reaches out in relationship.

GSR Today - She wasn't able to listen to Pope Francis give his speech to Congress in person, but the view from the lawn of the Capitol was just as good for Global Sisters Report's Franciscan Sr. Jan Cebula.

GSR Today - On the second day of his U.S. journey, Pope Francis made his feelings about women religious abundantly clear and a cathedral packed with Catholics had a similar chance to send their feelings about the nuns to the pontiff.

"Words without example are of no use! Our witness is that brings and gives validity to our words.”

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Who are your favorite women in Scripture?

Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity was founded, in 1963, based on the common mission that all baptized people are to listen to the word of God and to preach it; and that women must have a more relevant role in the church. In the case or our community, which is composed of three branches (consecrated women, consecrated men and priests and married couples consecrated according to their state of life), the president of the whole can be a member of the female branch.