Chicago Sisters Convening

Over 100 catholic sisters and lay people gather with vatican representatives in chicago to strengthen church ministries through collaboration and storytelling.

Event Theme and Goals

The gathering, held under the theme of "Journeying Together in Solidarity and Hope: Strengthening Communities and Cultivating Shared Impact for the Common Good," serves as a kickoff to the catholic sisters initiative's five-year strategy with…

Previous Gathering in Tanzania

A similar gathering held in tanzania in june 2026 attended 130 catholic sisters from africa and europe.

Event Objectives

The objectives included developing a shared vision for achieving the initiative's goals, practicing synodality, integrating safeguarding systems for vulnerable groups, and strengthening sister-led ministries.

Sr. Jane Wakahiu's Welcome

Sr. Jane Wakahiu, lsosf, phd, welcomed attendees with hope that their "collective experience of encounter will inspire us to respond thoughtfully, courageously and creatively to the emerging needs of the people we accompany and serve."

“collective experience of encounter will inspire us to respond thoughtfully, courageously and creatively to the emerging needs of the people we accompany and serve”

School Tour Experience

At a catholic school run by the daughters of mary immaculate of guadalupe, students led visitors through classrooms demonstrating how social-emotional wellness needs are met through counseling and music, movement, and art therapy.

Precious Blood Ministry Visit

The delegation visited the precious blood ministry of reconciliation on chicago's south side, where they listened to stories of mothers whose children had been murdered or incarcerated.

Sr. Alessandra Smerilli's Remarks

Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, fma, phd, prefect of the dicastery for promoting integral human development, spoke about uplifting human dignity, particularly the challenges of artificial intelligence and the digital revolution.

“the data arrived late at the last mile. you were already there... you were doing integral human development in schools, hospitals, working with women and children, long before it became a phrase”

Safeguarding Panel Discussion

Bishop luis manuel alí herrera and sr. roxanne schares presented on fostering a safeguarding culture for all, emphasizing prevention, accountability, and care for victims and survivors.

Storytelling from Margins

Sr. nina krapić described working as a legal advisor at a shelter for women and children who had survived domestic violence, emphasizing shared humanity and the need to erase false notions of marginalization.

“we had the same desire to be loved; to form a community; [the] same longing for god and meaning for our lives, and longing for our value to be recognized”

Sr. Norma Pimentel's Advocacy

Sr. Norma Pimentel, mj, president and ceo of catholic charities of the rio grande in brownsville, texas, advocates for migrant dignity without taking sides in political debates.

Pentecost Project Storytelling

The pentecost project partners with the hilton foundation and the dicastery for communication to amplify sisters' voices through weekly stories published on vatican news.