News

With my Sisters in Spirit!

I was not at the Giving Voice National Gathering this year. My own community retreat overlapped with the Gathering by several days and I made the decision to stay with my community. But, in keeping with our retreat director's advice to "do what your heart needs," I also followed the National Gathering on Facebook. Spending a few days, living with both the input and reflections on Benedictine values with my community and (although in a very different way) and witnessing the Boldness and Beauty of Communion among Giving Voice Sisters led me to a broader understanding of both and a deeper desire to live out community/communion in the world.

Invitation to Support the Giving Voice Network!

For 20 years, Giving Voice has nurtured the future of women religious in the US, creating peer-led spaces for community, faith & friendship across congregations! Has your life been inspired by a Catholic Sister? You don't have to be a woman religious to benefit from our great organization! We invite you to join us as we work to sustain the Giving Voice network through our Annual Appeal!

Read more about Invitation to Support the Giving Voice Network!

Abundant Connections: Celebrating 20 years of Giving Voice

Twenty years ago this spring, Giving Voice produced our first ever newsletter. Beginning as a 3-times per year printed publication, the Giving Voice editorial team was comprised of Judy Eby, RSM, Jan Hayes, RSM, Kristin Matthes, SND, and Toni Temporiti, CPPS. To memorialize these 20 years, we reached out to Kristin Matthes to learn more about the founding of our beloved organization.

The Other Miracle at Cana

May is a time to honor our mothers, grandmothers, Godmothers and of course the Blessed Mother--Mary, the mother of Jesus. And rightfully so, for it was Mary who was brave enough to respond with her YES, that set this great story in motion. When I reflect on Mary, I think of my grandmother who raised me. My grandmother was the glue that held our family together. With hard work and unceasing prayers, she raised seven children and many grandchildren. Her life’s work was dedicated to raising over 350 foster children in our county.

Last Chance to Register for our National Gathering!

Join sisters under 50 from across diverse congregations to witness the boldness and beauty of our shared sisterhood!

Easter Monday Reflection - Entering the Tomb

If your experience in active ministry is anything like my experience in active ministry, then I am willing to bet you receive a lot of emails too. It’s tempting to delete the ones that look unnecessary and word-heavy - like newsletters and electronic bulletins - but sometimes the Holy Spirit just won't let you defer to that little trash can symbol. Yesterday the Holy Spirit got me with an Easter message from Sister Roberta Fulton, SSMN, president of the National Black Sisters’ Conference. The Holy Spirit was like, “You should read this,” and I was like, “Fine.”

Excitement grows for the National Gathering!

“I attended my first Gathering at Iona in 2017. From the moment I registered, there was someone there to welcome me! Video welcomes and personalized emails came in advance of the Gathering. By the time I arrived at Iona, I felt known by name. It was a wonderful way to be welcomed in by a group of strangers."

Check out our Blogging Sisters!

Want to hear from younger sisters from diverse congregations? Are you looking to reach a wider audience with your own blog? Check out our blogging sisters page on the Giving Voice website, to read up on the lived experiences of sisters as they work within the Church and varied ministries, and to submit your own blog!

Core Team Updates

The Giving Voice core team held its annual in-person February 15-17 meeting just outside of Seattle, Washington. They provided a beautiful setting for the work of evaluation, long-term planning, and direction setting. One big agenda item this year was strategizing next steps for implementing initiatives with the remaining Hilton grant funds. Leadership development, diversity & inclusion work, communication, and sustainability are top priorities.

National Catholic Sisters Week Concert & Open Mic Night Celebrates Sisters in Chicago & Beyond

A packed audience of Catholic Sisters and their supporters enjoyed an energizing evening with singer/songwriter Sara Thomsen during this year’s National Catholic Sister’s Week. The concert and open-mic night, "In Praise of Sisters," was the third annual collaborative event between Giving Voice and other Catholic Theological Union-based organizations, Religious Formation Conference, Communicators for Women Religious, National Religious Vocation Conference and The Center for the Study of Religious Life at CTU.

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