Titled "Exploring Intersections: Catholic Sisters on Racism, Migration and Climate," each month this series will focus on a different social issue and explore how it intersects with racism, migration and climate in a thought-provoking and engaging conversation. Three panelists from different walks of life, including Catholic Sisters, will bring unique perspectives to each session.
"This series is intended to provide a forum for constructive conversation on the big issues of our day, and how each intersects with the major themes of racism, migration and climate," says Sister LaDonna Manternach, BVM, of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dubuque, Iowa. "We're looking forward to lively, nuanced conversations among our panelists and to hearing what our audience members have to say on these topics."
Topics include gender equality, care of creation, migration, racial justice, ending human trafficking, eliminating gun violence, economic justice, food security, restorative justice, affordable housing, educational justice and equitable access to health care.
The conversations will be held as a free, public Zoom webinar at 3 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month, beginning March 10. The launch is timed to coincide with Catholic Sisters Week (March 8-14), an annual celebration of women religious created to bring greater focus on their lives and work. Each episode will also be streamed live on YouTube. For those who want to watch or listen on their own schedule, the recordings of the episodes will be available on YouTube and as a podcast.
Moderating the series will be Charish Badzinski, a writer, public relations consultant and founder of Rollerbag Goddess Global Communications whose passions include social justice, human rights and preservation of the planet.
During the first session in March, panelists will be exploring equal access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender and how gender equality is interconnected with issues of racism, migration and climate change. Panelists will be Beth Allen, Director of Affiliation for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration; Ga'nea Jones, a student at Missouri State University; and Sister Joan Mitchell, CSJ, a teacher, writer and the editor of Good Ground Press.
For information on how to register to participate in "Exploring Intersections" and a list of monthly topics, go to www.exploringintersections.org.
"Exploring Intersections" is a project of Region X of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), which comprises congregations of women religious in eastern Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska, joined by a few congregations in Wisconsin. Founded in 1956, LCWR represents nearly 80 percent of Catholic Sisters in the United States. As a support system and corporate voice for leaders of congregations of Catholic Sisters, LCWR develops leadership, promotes collaboration within church and society, and serves as a voice for systemic change.