GSR Staff

GSR Today - In February, months before the global spread of the coronavirus, Global Sisters Report launched a series focusing on Catholic sisters helping those who are homeless or lack adequate shelter worldwide.

GSR Today - In February, months before the global spread of the coronavirus, Global Sisters Report launched a series focusing on Catholic sisters helping those who are homeless or lack adequate shelter worldwide.

"We're taking this as an opportunity to grow spiritually and to fall in love with the life again. We're trying to see this as a gift from God, as time we can set aside without needing to ask permission."

Congregations share how they are reacting to the crisis — praying, bringing people together online, making masks for health care workers, carrying on limited ministries. "Religious life has prepared me for this," says one sister.

Social distance prayer, done creatively, still produces spiritual unity. That’s what sisters are finding amid strict separations from each other and their usual ministries during the indeterminate period of the coronavirus’ spread around the world. GSR talked to a number of congregations to find out how they were maintaining a core aspect of religious life — community.

We would like to hear how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected your community's ministries and how you connect with one another. 

Global Sisters Report's 2019 coverage of Catholic women religious around the world was recognized recently with seven awards by the Associated Church Press, which also recognized National Catholic Reporter with three awards for Vatican-related news.

"Now is the time for each one of us to respond to the worldwide coronavirus crisis by being in solidarity with others," said Sr. Jolanda Kafka, president of the International Union of Superiors General.

Sr. Patricia Murray, executive director of the International Union of Superiors General, spoke with Global Sisters Report about UISG's key goals for 2020, changes in religious life and more.