In these times of rapid change, LCWR stands firm in our commitment to maintain our place as women of contemplation and commitment to response to needs, especially those of the most vulnerable.
On this page are resources from trusted partners in mission and on topics that focus our attention and response at this moment in time. These resources will be updated frequently in the weeks and months ahead.
We encourage all people to do the following:
Click here to see the January 2025 public response of LCWR to these times which outlines the values of women religious based on our vocational call. Use this statement for your own prayer and reflection.
The LCWR Assembly Resolution 2025-2029 also provides the guideposts for the work of Transformative Justice.
Each of us needs to know who our national, state, and local elected officials are, what their positions are, and how to contact them. Find this information and create an index card of information readily available when you receive the call to act.
Locate the congressional calendar for your state: To enhance your ability to connect to your state members of Congress, consult this 2025 State Legislative Session Calendar
https://www.ncsl.org/about-state-legislatures/2025-state-legislative-session-calendar
From May 29 - September 5, 140 LCWR Institutes made a commitment of one or more days of congregation wide prayer, advocacy, and fasting as the next step of our "Response to These Times." Based on feedback and the impactful results LCWR sponsors the next 100 Day of prayer, advocacy, and fasting from October 1, 2025 - January 11, 2026. A description can be found in the PDF file below.
In support of LCWR Congregations whose members are writing letters to US Congressional members, the LCWR national office will deliver letters on the schedule provided. To ensure letters are delivered, please follow the guidelines as outlined in the PDF document below.
Across the 15 LCWR regions, individual and collective commitments are made to engage in living the gospel values which undergird the response of each Institute to the times in which we live. To broaden the connection of singular actions to the presence of LCWR across the United States, LCWR congregations are invited to submit their commitments to our desire to act as Pope Francis invoked, "Build Bridges, Not Walls." The links to register for the event and view the events submitted by other LCWR congregations can be found below. Additional information regarding these initiatives is available from: transformativejustice@lcwr.org.
Registration for the LCWR Institute Event is here.
LCWR Congregational Response to These Times is available here.
Below are resources from trusted partners in mission and on topics that focus our attention and response at this moment in time. These resources will be updated frequently in the weeks and months ahead.
https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
The membership of CCUSA is made up of 168 diocesan Catholic Charities agencies. Each falls under the auspices of its local bishop/archbishop and serves the needs of the community in which it is located. Visit the website to learn about the activities of CCUSA and then make contact with your local agency to see how you can help.
The Catholic Health Association is the national membership association of Catholic health care in the United States, providing expertise and resources for advocacy and health policy at both national and state levels. It fosters connections and collaboration with the Holy See and bishops to support the health ministry of the Catholic Church and offers thought leadership and consulting on challenging health care issues.
As partners with CHA, LCWR members, justice promoters and communicators were invited to join a webinar on May 1 for a briefing on the current status of Medicaid. Access to the recording and slide deck are here:
May 1 CHA Medicaid Briefing and slide deck
For advocacy tools including the Medicaid prayer and reflection resources, check the CHA website: Catholic Health Association
Microsite: Know Your Rights: https://clinic.shorthandstories.com/know-your-rights/index.html
CLINIC provides training and support to a dedicated network of more than 400 Catholic and community-based immigration law providers in 49 states. By supporting approximately 3,000 network employees with diverse and in-depth training, real-time updates and best practices, CLINIC ultimately serves nearly 500,000 immigrants a year, making it the largest nonprofit immigration law organization in the country. In addition to supporting the network, CLINIC offers highly specialized direct legal representation, and training and technical assistance for immigrant defenders about current practice and strategy before the courts. We also have a dedicated team that specializes in religious immigration law to assist religious workers coming to the United States.
CLINIC provides updates to those who subscribe to receive them, while also providing regular briefs on the most recent judicial decisions and identifying ways to help those most in need. LCWR has partnered with CLINIC for many years to provide information and resources to congregations and those in need of services.
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS is motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching as we act to:
PROMOTE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies; and,
SERVE CATHOLICS IN THE UNITED STATES as they live their faith in solidarity with their brothers and sisters around the world.
Congregations can sign up to receive updates on the work of CRS and the needs throughout the world and in the United States.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is a partnership of faith-based organizations committed to enacting fair and humane immigration reform that reflects our mandate to welcome the stranger and treat all human beings with dignity and respect. Coalition members work together to advocate for just and equitable immigration policies, educate faith communities, and serve immigrant populations around the country.
LCWR is a member of the IIC Steering Committee and recommends frequent check of the website for updates and sign up for the newsletter.
In 1972, 47 Catholic Sisters gathered in Washington, DC and the spark that would become NETWORK was ignited. NETWORK is an inclusive, national, Catholic advocacy organization open to all who share the NETWORK values, working to achieve equity and justice for everyone. NETWORK’s commitment to Gospel values and Catholic Social Justice principles is expressed in two organizations.
The first, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, is a 501(c)(4) non-profit whose work focuses on lobbying and grassroots advocacy for specific legislation and policies to advance the common good. The second, NETWORK Advocates for Catholic Social Justice, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit devoted to advocacy and voter education, including training, webinars, and other resources, on the policies that are central to our mission.
The website provides the ability to sign up for membership to receive advocacy tools, legislative updates and invitations to educational webinars. The materials in the Advocacy Tool Box and Advocacy Actions are those recommended for use by LCWR Members. LCWR has worked with NETWORK since its inception and holds a seat on the NETWORK Board.
Justice For Immigrants: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/
In 2004, the Catholic bishops of the United States committed to immigration reform as a priority of the U.S. Catholic Church, and to creating a culture of welcome in which all migrants are treated with respect and dignity. A diverse group of Catholic organizations with national networks joined the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Justice for Immigrants Campaign (JFI) in an effort to unite and mobilize a growing network of Catholic institutions, individuals, and other persons of goodwill in support of immigration reform.
Signing up for JFI updates will provide regular information regarding the status of outreach, pending legislation and programs. LCWR is one of the partner organizations of JFI.
Catholic Climate Covenant: https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/
Laudato Si’ Movement: https://laudatosimovement.org/
Laudato Si’ Platform: https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/
Catholic Pilgrims of Hope for Creation: https://catholicpilgrimsofhope.org/
Catholic Pilgrims of Hope for Creation: Catholic organizations across the United States are coming together to launch Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation, a nationwide movement to encourage individuals and communities to embark on pilgrimages during the 2025 Jubilee Year, focusing on the sacred relationship between humanity and creation.
LCWR has been an active participant in the Pilgrims of Hope process and will be inviting participants in the 2025 LCWR assembly in Atlanta to join a pilgrimage during the assembly.
On July 10, 2020, the LCWR national board unanimously affirmed a call to place the conference on a five-year journey to address system racism and white privilege. The call emerged from an open and honest conversation held among leaders of LCWR and the National Black Sisters Conference.
As we reach the five year anniversary of that affirmation, LCWR continues to recognize the challenges that have grown more compelling and our desire to infuse every action with our commitment to address systemic racism.
LCWR Spirit Call Within A Call
National Black Sisters Conference: https://www.nbsc68.org/
