Jane Marie Bradish is a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, an international congregation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She grew up in a religiously mixed family, something she believes is a great blessing and helps her navigate our diverse world. Her ministry is in secondary education. Having taught mathematics, computer programming and theology, she is currently the academic programmer for a large, urban, multicultural high school.
This story appears in the UISG 2019 plenary feature series. View the full series.
by Joshua J. McElwee
May 2, 2019
The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) will meet with Francis at the end of its May 6-10 triennial assembly, but unlike in 2016, Sr. Carmen Sammut, UISG president, said the group will not be asking Francis questions then. She said she does not know if he will address the work of the commission studying the history of women deacons during their encounter.
This story appears in the Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals feature series.
May 2, 2019
Notre Dame Mission Volunteers-AmeriCorps is a partnership between Notre Dame Mission Volunteers, a program of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and AmeriCorps, a network of U.S. service programs. Its members serve in teaching, tutoring and other programs. They gain new skills and, often, a lifetime appreciation for service.
May 1, 2019
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration's call to address the political and humanitarian crisis in Cameroon drew about 100 people to a town hall meeting and more than 1,000 viewers online.
by Cecilia A. Ranger
May 1, 2019
When I was 6 months old, I cried for the moon. My mother could not convince me that the moon was not an accessible "ball to play with," as I insisted. Since then, I have realized that many religious seem to have some voice inside that nudges them to "cry for the moon." We're idealists. We want to re-create a better world in which to play.
This story appears in the Notes from the Field feature series. View the full series.
by Adele McKiernan
May 1, 2019
Notes from the Field - I'd been concerned I was fated to repeat last year's trauma, but Robert Frost's poem and the deacon's interpretation reminded me that though the darkness of winter happens annually, so does the brightness of spring.
Cecilia A. Ranger is a Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. With a lifelong commitment to education, philosophy, theology and spiritual direction, she taught and did spiritual direction at several colleges, universities and seminaries, and served in university administration and on boards. Other ministries included pastoral ministry, facilitation, and consultancies for leadership groups; she also served as president of the Oregon Sisters of the Holy Names.
This story appears in the UISG 2019 plenary feature series. View the full series.
April 30, 2019
At the International Union of Superiors General's 2016 assembly, Pope Francis first announced a commission to study women and the diaconate. After three years in which UISG leaders successfully urged the Vatican to increase women's voices at synods, they are set to meet again in Rome May 6-10.
by Peter Tran
April 30, 2019
Speaking with GSR at the motherhouse of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Los Angeles, Sr. Grace Duc Le says the congregation will mark its milestone with the intent to "renew, adapt and joyfully live out our spirituality and charism," which focuses on serving women and children.
This story appears in the Pilgrimage to Honduras feature series. View the full series.
by Mary Ellen Brody
Contributor
April 30, 2019
Visiting three small communities with 30 to 40 families in each group, we heard from the people how they had been displaced and were currently under threat of yet another displacement. All were poor working families paying rent but facing the possibility of losing their modest shelters: although one community had land gifted by its owner, they had no documents to prove that gift.