GSR Today - Last week, finally, all eyes were on the refugee crisis caused by instability in Syria that has been going on for years. “Europe is being tested as it has not been tested since the Second World War," said Lord Jonathan Sacks of the United Kingdom.

Nuns on the Bus starts its 2015 tour this week with a route that passes through "deep red and purple states" on the way to Washington, D.C. The sisters' Sept. 10-24 tour coincides with Pope Francis' Sept. 22-24 visit to Washington. In response to the pope's call for transforming politics for the common good, the sisters will highlight economic inequality and cuts in health care and education that they say not only disproportionately affect those dependent on government assistance, but also exhibit a disregard for their struggles and exacerbate the growing gap between the rich and poor.

During a Prayer of the Faithful at a Eucharistic celebration, I heard for the first time what I considered a strange prayer intention: “For those looking for the fruit of the womb . . . .” I was startled by the intention, surprised because I was oblivious to the magnitude of the problem that has brought the prayer request to a public forum.

"Let us become the first generation that decides to be the last that sees empty classrooms, lost childhoods, and wasted potentials."

Like many students and teachers around the country, I recently started a new school year. As this new year began to feel imminent, I looked back on my experience of teaching, so far. I hesitate to admit that I haven’t always loved teaching. Sure, when I started this important ministry eight years ago, I loved it. I was full of passion and energy and idealism. I was going to change the world, one willing student at a time. Somewhere along the way, however, I felt my passion for the ministry wane.

GSR Today - Just as the news was breaking that enough U.S. Senators have declared their support for the Iran Nuclear Deal for it to survive a veto override, U. S. women religious were weighing in. A letter, signed by over 4100 of us from more than 30 congregations, was being delivered to Senators and Representatives urging our support for the agreement.

She was bombarded with high-fives and hugs after she got the call — an invitation to meet Pope Francis during his Sept. 22-27 visit to the United States. But Sr. Norma Pimentel's biggest surprise came Monday, when the pope singled her out during a satellite video feed. Pimentel was present at a teleconference hosted at Sacred Heart Church in McAllen, Texas, where she coordinates ministries and services for immigrants. The pope's teleconference was recorded for ABC's "20/20" show, which airs Sept. 4. and includes participants in Los Angeles and Chicago.

This summer I was privileged to “take a long loving look” at authentic religious life and saw with new eyes what it means. It struck me so clearly that I felt it was worth sharing. The experience was a gathering of the Oblate Sisters of Providence and the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Monroe, Michigan; and Immaculata and Scranton, Pennsylvania.

See for Yourself - The many observances of World War II anniversaries this year are insightful reminders about the devastation from worldwide inhumanity. These reminders sent me reviewing a remarkable event in my own life that occurred in 1975 — 40 years ago. On a sunny and pleasant July 31, 1975, I spent a day with Anne Frank’s father, Otto Frank, in his home with second wife, Fritzi, in Basel, Switzerland.