A number of prominent theologians and bishops from across the African continent have sharply called for more expansive discussions at this fall's global meeting of Catholic bishops on family issues, saying last year's event focused too heavily on subjects mainly of concern to Europeans and North Americans. Last year's discussions — which attracted global media coverage scrutinizing bishops' stances on controversial questions like divorce and remarriage and same-sex relationships — left out a multitude of pressing issues facing millions living throughout Africa, the prelates and academics argued at a groundbreaking conference here July 16-18.

"And for all this, nature is never spent. There lives the dearest freshness deep down things."

The Pashupatinath temple has a social welfare center that houses 220 people. Hindus believe that those who die at the temple will experience instant salvation. Three Missionaries of Charity sisters arrive at the complex from their nearby Mitra Park convent every morning. Joined by volunteers, they bathe the residents and wash their clothing and bedding. The Missionaries of Charity, who have been participating in the ministry since 1978, shy away from publicity, preferring to let their actions speak instead. But others are not hesitant to praise the sisters' work.

GSR Today - A new Ebola vaccine is proving very promising in human trials in Guinea; Nigeria is closing in on becoming polio-free; and the world's first vaccination against malaria has cleared European trials and is ready for use. Lifting diseases out of the picture is good news.

Women religious in the United States have often led the way in calling for a more open conversation regarding controverted teaching, but they have done so not out of a disregard of the great tradition, but based on their wealth of pastoral experience. The move of women religious to the margins of society came long before Pope Francis made this pastoral option a central feature of his papal program.

This year’s gathering of leaders of congregations of women religious in the United States marks the first public discussion of two controversial Vatican investigations. The Leadership Conference of Women Religious is planning its annual assembly for Aug. 11-14 in Houston, Texas. Last year’s gathering was held under the cloud of both an apostolic visitation and a doctrinal assessment. Both investigations, however, ended in the past year with no findings of serious wrongdoing and with much praise for women religious and the work they do.

Notes from the Field - The heart has a mysterious way of sending the most intimate of messages that the tongue cannot. Due to my status as a non-native, non-fluent Thai speaker, in the 10-and-a-half months I have lived in Thailand, in many situations I have needed to rely on entering into everyday conversations with my heart rather than with my words.

Becoming a sister has included many challenging adjustments. One aspect of religious life that I doubt I’ll ever be comfortable with, though, is other people’s expectations of me just because I am living my vocation. It never made sense to me that others would place in me in a different category just because I was doing what I was made to do. I am not more special than any other person who is living a life of commitment and love.

“Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?"