Peace and Justice

May we be healed of every broken view of each other and see one another as God sees. May we dream of peace, strive for peace, and remember peace when we are tired and tempted to abandon its ways modeled by Saints Francis and Clare.

Pope Francis has said, "How I would like a Church that is poor and for the poor!" We Sisters strive to have a heart for those who are poor and vulnerable and to deepen our commitment to bringing God's compassion to a wounded world. We reach out to those on the margins and without hope as we work to eliminate the unjust divisions in our society and to bring people to the wholeness and joy of God’s shalom.

Serving with compassion, building stronger communities.

Several hands of diverse skin tones are placed together in a circle over a paper plate with an inspirational quote.

Racial Justice

Racism, like fear surrounding immigration, continues to divide communities by causing us to see others as “different” rather than as brothers and sisters. It is a failure to love and care for one another, expressed not only through violence and discrimination but also through indifference. Its lasting presence affects access to resources, opportunities, and even quality of life. While progress has been made in some communities, intimidation and injustice persist in workplaces, schools, and daily life. Even when we do not see ourselves as racist, we are still called to examine our hearts and help transform our culture.

“Racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart… The persistence of the evil of racism is why we are writing this letter now.” — Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

May we be healed of broken views of one another and learn to see each person as God does. May we seek peace, work for peace, and remain faithful to its path, following the example of Saints Francis and Clare.

A small stream flows over stone steps in a wooded area, overlaid with a quote from Evangelium Vitae about life and death.

Eliminating the Death Penalty

We believe that life is a sacred gift of God which must be respected and protected, even if it has caused great harm. We also know that the death penalty in our country is very flawed and is unfairly applied on many occasions. In his encyclical The Gospel of Life, Pope John Paul II called us to choose to be “unconditionally pro life” (no. 28). So we are Sisters who choose life!

DEATH PENALTY INFORMATION CENTER

The Death Penalty Information Center is a national non-profit organization serving the media and the public with analysis and information on issues concerning capital punishment. Founded in 1990, the Center promotes informed discussion of the death penalty by preparing in-depth reports, conducting briefings for journalists, and serving as a resource to those working on this issue.


Fair Trade Certified logo featuring a black icon of a person holding a bowl inside a green circle on a white background.

Fair Trade

 Fairtrade changes the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in developing countries. It is a matter of justice. Supporting fair trade fights the demand for forced labor and unfair work practices. 

Olive Crest logo in green, with the text

Hope Refugee

Along with our California Circle of FSSH Associates, join us in supporting Olive Crest's Hope Refuge Campus in Santa Barbara, California, a non-profit organization founded in 2013 to see exploited children ages 12 to 17 and young adults in America set free and move forward into a healthy, productive life after having been trafficked in the commercial sex industry. Hope Refuge believes that every person deserves to be free and that, as a community, we are responsible for protecting and caring for our children and the most vulnerable.

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Congregational Works of Mercy

Encourage your Congregation/Coalition/Organization/
Church/Student Group to become a member of U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking.

 View the current issue of the Stop Trafficking and browse the archives. This anti-human trafficking newsletter, of which we are one of many sponsors, is dedicated exclusively to fostering an exchange of information among U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking members, organizations and concerned persons collaborating to eliminate all forms of human trafficking


The Franciscan Action Network logo featuring a cross superimposed over the US Capitol dome in gold and brown text.

Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus, and the example of Saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Action Network is a collective Franciscan voice seeking to transform United States public policy related to peace making, care for creation, poverty, and human rights.

In the spirit of Catholic teaching:
The Catholic Church consistently upholds the dignity of every human life and calls for the abolition of the death penalty. Each month the Sisters pray for those on death row, by name.

  • That society may choose life, uphold justice with mercy, and work toward the abolition of capital punishment.
  • For all men and women on death row, that they may experience God’s mercy, peace of heart, and the hope of redemption.

The congregation is a contributing member to the Catholica Mobilizing Network.

Logo for Catholic Mobilizing Network: A white cross on a red hill, with the text

Catholic Mobilizing Network is a national organization that mobilizes Catholics and all people of goodwill to value life over death, to end the use of the death penalty, to transform the U.S. criminal justice system from punitive to restorative, and to build capacity in U.S. society to engage in restorative practices. Through education, advocacy, and prayer, and based on the Gospel value that every human is created in the image and likeness of God, CMN expresses the fundamental belief that all those who have caused or been impacted by crime should be treated with dignity. 
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops logo with a green circle containing a white cross next to the text.

Visit the USCCB Action Center to view their current action alerts and sign up for future alerts so that you can contact your elected representatives to express your concerns and opinions on upcoming legislation.

Support Our Mission

Your involvement strengthens our outreach. Whether through volunteering or donations, every contribution helps improve lives in our community.