Maxine Kollasch

Sr. Maxine Kollasch co-founded A Nuns Life Ministry, a vibrant online community where Catholic sisters engage with people worldwide around faith, vocation and finding joy in everyday life. Founded on the Internet in 2006 with Sr. Julie Vieira, the ministry is present online and in many social media. A Nun's Life is a pioneer in the use of Internet technologies and social networking to bring the centuries-old tradition of religious life in areas such as discernment and vocation into conversation with everyday life in the 21st century. Kollasch is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Monroe, Michigan, and has master's degrees in theology and in advertising.

By this Author

A road in Alabama (Unsplash/Kyle Rossi)

Keeping the faith on the slow road to justice

From A Nun's Life podcasts - St. Joseph Sr. Patricia Flass, who has lived and worked in rural Alabama for more than 20 years, reflects on what keeps her going and how the people she serves influence her faith.

(Unsplash/Markus Spiske)

As Catholics, what is our responsibility to address climate change?

From A Nun's Life podcasts - An older Catholic, feeling guilty about climate change, writes in with a question: "Should I be doing more?"

Sr. Donna Liette outside the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation Center in Chicago: "There used to be no trees, no flowers. Now we have lots of flowers. It's a much prettier place." (Dave Eck)

Sister recalls powerful healing between a crime victim and a perpetrator

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Precious Blood Sr. Donna Liette recalls how restorative justice practices in Chicago brought healing between a police officer and a young man who had broken into his home.

The U.N. flag is seen during the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the world body's headquarters Sept. 24, 2019, in New York City. (CNS/Reuters/Yana Paskova)

The goal is 'bringing their voice' to the United Nations

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Sr. Durstyne Farnan talks with Sister Maxine about how she helps Dominican women "in bringing their voice to the U.N. on behalf of civil society."

Members of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light have gathered at oil and natural gas wells in the state in recent years to seek tighter controls on pollution that affects nearby communities. (CNS)

Environmental advocacy must be sensitive to workers and communities

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Sister Maxine speaks with Sr. Joan Brown of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light. They discuss the advocacy challenge of New Mexico's Permian Basin, a source of oil and gas and employment.

Romando, a migrant from Peru seeking asylum in the United States, plays a hand-clapping game with his daughter Alexa, 7, as they stand in line waiting to be processed in Roma, Texas, Feb. 28. (CNS/Reuters/Adrees Latif)

Why should we welcome immigrants?

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Sister Maxine talks with Holy Cross Sr. Sharlet Wagner, an immigration lawyer and executive director of the Newcomer Network, who addresses controversies associated with immigration.

A stained-glass window depicting the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the apostles is seen during a confirmation Mass May 5 at Holy Family Church in Queens, New York. (CNS/Gregory A. Shemitz)

'Speaking in tongues' — what does that mean?

From A Nun's Life Podcasts: The Bible references to "speaking in tongues." One listener asks: "How would you know if you're doing it?"

A mural depicts Sr. Nano Nagle, foundress of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic School in Daisy Hill, Australia. (Wikimedia Commons/Daniellecart1)

How does the vow of poverty shape a sister's public policy work?

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Sister Maxine talks with Sr. Richelle Friedman about her vow of poverty as a Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary sister and how that shapes her public policy work for human needs.

(Unsplash/Markus Spiske)

Interfaith work on climate change, and a call to transform

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Sister Maxine speaks to Sr. Joan Brown about people of different faiths working together. Brown discusses the call to transformation involved in the work to address climate change.

(Unsplash/kazuend)

Growing up and getting a sense of justice and peace

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Sister Maxine speaks to Sr. Durstyne Farnan, representative to the United Nations for the Dominican Leadership Conference about the influences of her parents on her commitment to peace and justice.

Mercy Srs. Terry Saetta, far left, and Patricia Mulderick, far right, pose for a photo May 7, 2021, at the "respite center" in McAllen, Texas, where they volunteered to help migrants.

Catholic sisters make a distinctive difference in social justice

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Sister Maxine talks with Holy Cross Sr. Sharlet Wagner of the Newcomer Network in D.C. about the ways women religious have responded to the needs of immigrants in the United States.

Rest (Unsplash/Aaron Burden)

What keeps you going during difficult times?

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Sister Maxine talks with Humility of Mary Sr. Anne Victory about ways she finds energy and hope when times are especially tough.

The Edmund Pettus Bridge is seen Jan. 8, 2015, in Selma, Alabama. The bridge was the scene of a major civil rights confrontation in March 1965, in which police beat protesters who were marching to demand voting rights for African Americans. (CNS)

How sisters are connected to civil rights history in Selma

From A Nun's Life podcasts – Sister Maxine talks to Sr. Patricia Flass about her congregation's historical connections to Rep. John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr.

Dominican Srs. Barbara Hagel, left, and Jeanette DeYoung examine a beehive on their motherhouse property in Fremont, California. (Melanie Lidman)

California Dominicans' land use looks after well-being of wildlife, people

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Sister Maxine talks with two Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose in Fremont, California, about their community's creative use of land it owns in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

(Unsplash/Nick Fewings)

What helps to discern God's direction for you

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Sisters discuss the journey of discernment, and what can help those who are searching for the direction God is calling them to.

Pope John Paul II prays the rosary at Notre Dame du Chant d'Oiseau Church in Brussels in June 1995. (CNS/Catholic Press Photo)

In Lent, should I pray only the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary?

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Is it okay to pray all the mysteries of the rosary — joyful, sorrowful, glorious and luminous — during Lent, or only the sorrowful mysteries?

Robin (Unsplash/mana5280)

Can you change your Lenten practices after Lent starts?

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Sister Maxine and Sister Julie talk about seeing what Lent brings you — and how it may take you in new directions from what you planned on Ash Wednesday.

(Unsplash/Patrick Fore)

What are some ways nuns prepare for Lent?

From A Nun's Life podcasts – Sr. Maxine Kollasch and Sr. Shannon Schrein talk about their Lenten prayer plans. 

(Unsplash/Denise Jones)

Should we expect religion to make us happy?

From A Nun's Life podcasts – "I really feel my life has a lot of unhappiness. Do I need religion to find my way?" Sister Maxine and Franciscan Sr. Shannon Schrein reflect on what religion has to offer us.

(Unsplash/Teodor Drobota)

What can a worried grandma do about her unbaptized grandbaby?

From A Nun's Life podcasts – A grandmother is very worried that her 8-month-old granddaughter still hasn't been baptized. Franciscan Sr. Shannon Schrein joins Sister Maxine to shed some light on the issue.