"St. Therese of Lisieux invites us to practice the little way of love, not to miss out on a kind word, a smile or any small gesture which sows peace and friendship."

There’s a tightness in my chest that is hard to explain. I can’t remember when it first started or on what occasion it became noticeable. In a way, it feels like it has always been there, loosening and tightening over time. Like a band wrapped tightly around my chest, it binds up my heart – not in a painful way but as a steadfast reminder of a presence deeper than myself. In simplest terms, it’s the feeling I get when I find myself deep in prayer. And for good or for ill, it’s also what I’ve come to associate with call.

Global Sisters Report is a project of National Catholic Reporter Publishing Company, which is following the pope's environment encyclical very closely. GSR will have a number of exclusive columns and commentary from sisters about the letter, and you can follow NCR's unfolding coverage here.

"I once heard something beautiful: The Earth is not an inheritance that we receive from our parents, but a loan that our children give to us, in order that we safeguard it and make it flourish and return it to them. The Earth is generous and holds back nothing from those who safeguard it."

From A Nun's Life podcasts - In addition to the sisters, who are other members of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth family?

GSR Today - The much-anticipated official release of "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home" has come. NCR's coverage includes input from Srs. Ilia Delio, Simone Campbell, and others. This link will take you to the very latest articles about the environment encyclical. (Read Laudato Si' in English.)

For the last five years, the juniorate program for Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Patna, India has included a computer class. Newly professed sisters learn how to use programs like Microsoft Word and Excel in addition to training on Facebook best practices and how to do effective Internet searches. Last month, Global Sisters Report talked to Sr. Jane Karakunnel, coordinator of the juniorate program, about the computer classes.

See for Yourself - My attention piqued listening to the verbal exchange by the elderly couple seated behind me in the Megabus as we trundled our way to Chicago. “How can a Cadbury egg expire?” she scoffed.

"As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling."

Notes from the Field - This week, we will read a new encyclical from Pope Francis on the topics of Earth’s resources and environmental justice. In the Dominican Call to Justice, a document put forth by the North American Dominican Justice Promoters, climate justice is listed first in the series of issues to which congregations across the country should turn their attention.