Daughter of Charity Sr. Denise LaRock is one of the many people working tirelessly with Catholic groups to help Texas Hill Country residents affected by the deadly July 4 floods.
What Srs. Berta Sailer and Corita Bussanmas began as a day care 50 years ago has morphed into Operation Breakthrough, a nonprofit educating underprivileged kids of Kansas City, even after the sisters' deaths.
Catholic sisters in Kenya offer support to elder men and women who have been driven from their homes — if not killed — following accusations of witchcraft from those eager to take their land.
The Migrant Ministry of the Catholic Parishes of Oak Park has provided assistance to thousands of migrants — and nearly all of the ministry's volunteers are senior citizens.
The nuns are unsure how many women they have helped at St. Euphrasia's Safe Home, but a senior worker there said at least 25 women are in the house on any given day.
At the mission, "no one cares whether they are from the Turkana or Samburu community," says Sr. Felister Maria Kwamboka. "We remind them every day that all children belong to Jesus, and he sent angels to protect us."
Many on the margins felt like Pope Francis was the last world leader defending them. Now, with a conclave ahead, sisters in social ministries say they hope the next pope shares Francis' preference for the poor.
No one doubted the late pope's commitment to a peaceful solution in Ukraine. But even among Ukraine's small Catholic community, some felt that Francis was not robust enough in his condemnation of Russia.
I'd received questions from my Ukrainian friends and relatives doubting the pope's stance toward their suffering. But on April 21, I read words of gratitude from many Ukrainians to Francis for his support and sympathy.
