Commentary - The LCWR experience is a 21st-century story and the latest version of this “uneasy alliance” that American sisters have negotiated and finessed, both within the church and in secular society where male, hierarchical authority and gendered politics have usually defined the terms and set the parameters of power, status and leadership.

Volunteer programs directed by sisters seek to bring people to the "next level" of social justice, teaching them not just to provide charity but to empower people in marginalized communities. And volunteers tend to remain committed to this kind of work long after their official term is over. The St. Joseph Worker Program in St. Paul, Minnesota, for example, conducted a survey recently of 110 former volunteers. Fully 95 percent of them responded, and nearly three-quarters are still actively connected to SJW sites. Virtually all of them work for nonprofits and have found ways to continue in the spirit of service fostered by the Sisters of St. Joseph. “They live that life of loving God and neighbor without distinction after they leave us,” said Sr. Suzanne Herder, director of the program.

"What comforts me is that a small band of us are trying to be a drop in the ocean as we commit ourselves to make housing a reality for these communities who have a strong belief in our organization and that they will one day get their rights."

Just two weekends ago, I professed first vows with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, along with my dear Sr. Andrea Koverman. It was a day of indescribable joy! I was humbled by the presence of the hundreds of people - family, friends, sisters, and associates – who gathered to celebrate with us from near and far. And now, this week, I am traveling back to the place where it all started. The first inklings of a call to religious life emerged in the fall of 2008 when I was a long-term international volunteer.

Notes from the Field - When was the last time you participated in a donation effort? Gave some money? Cleaned out your closet or pantry? Volunteered? Bought an item whose proceeds went toward donations? When I was younger, I remember raiding our pantry during food drives at school – usually just clearing out the things that I didn’t really want to ever have to eat.

“I don’t shine if you don’t shine.”

Sisters Adorers, Handmaids of the Blessed Sacrament and of Charity began rescue work at Kalighat brothel, one of the oldest red-light areas of Kolkata, India, in 1998. They work to rescue minor girls sold or otherwise illegally forced into the sex trade and to offer love, support and education to such women who are not respected by society. Nazareth Villa Superior Mariette Sebastian said they work in red-light areas because their founder, Maria Micaela, began her apostolate among such fallen women. “To work for the sex workers is part of our charism."

See for Yourself - I’m on my third car GPS unit. The first unit died a natural death after almost two years of non-stop use. The second unit died an unnatural death after six months, being deemed a defective product and promptly replaced by the manufacturer. I’m now on unit #3 and so far it works perfectly.

Franciscan Sr. Christina Neumann wears many hats at St. Anne’s Guest Home, the assisted living health care facility her community runs in Grand Forks, N.D. She’s a receptionist, the editor of the resident newsletter, the main sacristan in the chapel, and – from time to time – she’s also a personal care aide. But when she’s not doing all of that, she’s thinking about things like search engine optimization and what that means for future vocations. That’s part of the reason why, in the last eight months, she’s started two new blogs, including one for her community.