Chris Herlinger

"For the people in the West Bank, it's getting worse," the sister said in a Nov. 30 telephone interview with GSR. "So many things are happening. People are afraid."

The Kentucky-based ministry said it was time "to shine a new, bright light on our mission," saying the change of name reinforces its mission of empowering women "as agents of safe water for their families and communities."

Sr. Margaret Farrell addresses the continued issue of homelessness and the need for affordable housing — a situation that remains critical in Los Angeles and other large American cities.

Among the continued challenges are declining access for the economically poor to food, rising gender inequities and illiteracy, and increasing government restrictions on religious freedoms.

At Hilton humanitarian symposium, panelists say we must find ways to collectively contribute to solutions, "recognizing that our world's systems are interconnected beyond geographic borders." 

This year's Hilton Humanitarian Prize given to the One Acre Fund recognizes the need to make visible an essential group in the world and in Africa, says Presentation Sr. Joyce Meyer: "Farmers are too often invisible."

The opera depicts the spiritual journey of Sister of St. Joseph Helen Prejean as she navigates the pain and redemption of death row ministry. 

A sister who lives in the West Bank told GSR that she and other sisters are keenly aware of the suffering that has befallen both Israelis and Palestinians in the wake of the Hamas attacks. 

Pope Francis' new climate apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum has given four representatives of sister congregations at the United Nations much to think about — and to praise. They shared their thoughts with GSR.

With a busy week of marches, workshops and a U.N. summit behind them, sisters and other Catholics say they must continue and expand their work to increase public pressure for change on climate action. 

Changes in congregational leadership have affected the leadership of the International Union of Superiors General, or UISG, with Sr. Mary Barron, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, assuming the position of president.

A United Nations summit acknowledges that sustainable development goals are "in peril," but attendees encourage women religious and others to continue efforts. 

Afghan and Ukrainian refugees find a home with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York, bringing "new life to these old walls."

Sr. Maggie McDermott recently retired from a 43-year-ministry at the Tolentine Zeiser Community Life Center in the Bronx. She spoke to GSR about homeless ministry and her work in providing day care for children.

Georgetown University hosted an online forum Sept. 14 discussing the challenging and demanding work environments of sisters who are "empowering the most vulnerable."

Monday Starter: The first of a three-part series of conversations by the International Union of Superiors General on synodality and the October Synod Assembly is Sept. 14. It will focus on the issue of communion. 

GSR Today - We opted not to travel to Haiti for on-the-ground reporting — it is too dangerous right now. Doing interviews from afar, Chris Herlinger was struck by how often the theme of kidnapping came up.

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation said its 2023 Humanitarian Prize will be awarded to the One Acre Fund, which reaches a network of 4 million farm families across nine African countries through a direct service program.

Church-based ministries and humanitarian programs in Haiti continue their work despite the considerable and daunting challenges.

The security and social situation in Haiti is as grave as it has ever been, say sisters, priests and humanitarian workers, who paint a grim picture of a country struggling amid gang domination that observers compare to terrorism.