The Winter 2026 issue of Occasional Papers, the journal of LCWR, invites readers into a powerful exploration of the theme, Let Your Heart Take Courage (Ps. 27:14). At a time when our world -- and our religious communities -- are marked by uncertainty , the call to courage feels both urgent and deeply hopeful.
This issue asks: What does it mean to lead with an open heart when fear urges us to close off? How might curiosity become a pathway to wisdom, and vulnerability a source of strength? What if risk and failure were seen not as threats, but as sacred opportunities for growth?
Through voices that challenge and inspire, this issues offers a vision of leadership grounded in transparency, integrity, and the quiet resilience that comes from listening to the Spirit within. This issue is not just about courage as an idea -- but rather courage as a lived practice that sustains us, shapes us, and prepares us to meet this moment with faith and hope.
Writers in this issue explore courage from an array of perspectives. Also included in this issue are interviews with Episcopalian Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, author of How We Learn to Be Brave, and Rev. Tomáš Halik, author of The Afternoon of Christianity: The Courage to Change.
In this issue are articles and interviews:
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Shaped By Our Small Acts of Everyday Courage
Esther Adjoa Entsiwah, CSC shares about the bravery that lives in the ordinary acts of our daily lives -
Finding a Way to Pray Again, Breathe Again, See Again
Didi Madden, OP explores what it means to claim a Catholic public identity -
Wise as Serpents and Simple as Doves
Pat Twohill, OP shows how we might embrace collaboration, deep listening, and courageous adaptation in this time of change -
Learning to Be Brave in Decisive Moments
Bishop Mariann Budde in an interview shares insights from her life on how to make brave choices -
Leadership Requires Movement: Choosing Even When Uncertain
Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF reflects on the costs of indecision -
The Courage to Change as We Seek to Know God
Msgr. Tomáš Halík in an interview explores how we might humbly search for ever greater understandings of God -
Searching for the Courage to Decide
Teresa Maya, CCVI urges religious to move forward courageously with important decisions that need to be made -
Living to the Point of Tears
Elise D. García, OP reflects on what it costs to live closely aligned with the pain and suffering of the world -
Being Brave in Everyday Life
Nicole Kunze, OSB offers some practices that can sustain leaders as they seek to live bravely -
Room in Your Heart for the Unimaginable: Our Journey into the Divine
LCWR offers an opportunity for all religious to engage with the essential spiritual questions of our times -
For Your Reflection … Suggested questions for applying the insights of this issue to one’s own life
An issue of Occasional Papers costs $5.00, plus postage. Discounts are available for orders of 10 or more. Orders must be received by December 3. Copies will be mailed in January.
Subscriptions are also available and make great gifts for only $15/year.
Questions about orders or subscriptions may be directed to Faye Homed at fhomed@lcwr.org or call 301-588-4955.
