February brings us Candlemas, Valentines and Black History Month. With these come powerful reminders to bring the Light of Christ’s teachings into the darkness of human confusion; to bring the love and compassion of Christ into relationships; and to bring justice and equity into social systems that have denied fundamental rights to large numbers of Americans.

Then (from top row, left): Sister Charleen O’Brien among the Chinese children of Fresno, CA; Hawaiian 1st Communion family with Sister Yolanda de Francesco; In Alaska, a First Nations couple with Sister Angelina Dutra; Hispanic Christmas caroling – Sister Gladys Guenther, Lathrop, CA; Kmhmu’ and Laotian gathering in Fresno – Sister Joan Litch; Sister Marie Julie Casattas serving St. James parish, Las Vegas, NV

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Recently, at the Motherhouse, we have initiated a series of workshops on diversity, equity and inclusivity, remembering our ministries among diverse groups, beginning to see where improvements need to be made in effective responses to questions of equity today. It has become clear that reparation needs to be made for the purposeful or unwitting support of oppression and injustice toward people of color by the once dominant culture of this country.

Surrounding these paragraphs are a few pictures from past and present — some of the diverse groups with whom the Sisters have ministered.