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We are women religious who have lost three of our own to murderous violence. We have written our own statement on nonviolence signed by all our sisters and associates. We are absolutely appalled by the violence we have witnessed in Minnesota, wrought by agents of our own federal government. We cannot be silent in the face of such violent cruelty and lawlessness, both because it defies everything our Constitution stands for and because it denies the very humanity of certain targeted groups of people. As our Native American brothers and sisters remind us, “No one is illegal on stolen land.” So, we, the leadership of the Sisters of St. Agnes, embrace the LCWR Statement Choosing Nonviolence as Gospel Witness wholeheartedly, standing with the people of Minnesota and across the country in Gospel love, hoping for more humane and comprehensive ways of solving our immigration issues. 

At this moment in history, when fear is normalized, violence is amplified, and democratic life is under strain in the United States and across the world, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) raises a clear and unwavering moral voice: violence is not the Gospel response.

The way of Jesus calls us to a love that refuses harm, rejects domination, and insists on the dignity of every person. Love demands more than silence or neutrality. It requires truth-telling, moral courage, and a willingness to stand publicly with those whose lives and rights are threatened. Nonviolence is not passivity; it is disciplined, courageous action rooted in justice and hope.

Across the globe and within our own communities — from Ukraine to Minneapolis — we see the tragic consequences of aggression. Violence does not resolve conflict or restore peace; it deepens wounds and multiplies suffering. Nonviolence, by contrast, requires profound interior strength and sustained commitment. It must be cultivated personally and communally, and practiced intentionally within social, political, and global systems.

Women religious have long understood this truth through lived experience. Since arriving in what would become the United States in 1727, congregations of women religious have participated in the shaping of this nation through education, healthcare, advocacy, and service to those most at risk. Throughout the evolving life of this democracy, women religious have sought to embody gospel values in public life, especially in times of moral crisis.

In continuity with this witness, we unequivocally denounce the use of violence in any form. We call upon individuals and communities — and especially those entrusted with leadership in local, state, and federal government — to choose paths that uphold human rights, protect democratic processes, and honor the dignity of life at every stage.

In these times, the members of LCWR commit to a public, prophetic presence rooted in prayer and expressed through concrete action. We pledge to make visible the Gospel through advocacy for nonviolence, racial justice, humane immigration policies, and care for our common home. Our hope does not rest in force or fear, but in the transformative power of love lived boldly and together.

The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes is seeking a lay local coordinator for the elderly and infirm sister-residents of Nazareth Court and Center and St. Francis Home. The local coordinator assists with providing a supportive community which assists the sisters in living their religious vocation as Sisters of St. Agnes. It is important that an applicant for this position is flexible, collaborative, comfortable with the elderly and infirm, and able to function as a team member. The local coordinator engages in pastoral and social visits with individual sisters and with groups of sisters as needed. The local coordinator is also responsible for acting as family support by participating in meetings with licensed nursing personnel providing long-term care for the sisters (e.g. nursing meetings, care conferences, working with hospice care providers). Interested applicants must be familiar with Word, Excel, email, internet, and hold a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. This position is full-time and requires rotating on-call with other members of the team.

If interested in this position, contactSuzanne Flood at sflood@csasisters.org for a full position description. Applicants will be expected to submit resume with full contact information.
 

This article appears in the November Issue of Reflections and Connections

In March of 2018, nine organizations of women religious, including the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, came together to form the Wisconsin Religious Collaborative (WRC). The collaborative provides consultation, cooperative services, collaborative planning, and networking to the Catholic Religious Institutes in the areas of mission, management, governance, and community life. With membership of these institutes ranging from 16 to 145 sisters, the work of WRC is more important than ever. 

Sister Sharon Glumb, SLW, is the Shared Services Director and during the past year she has helped to create strong connections between the member organizations. During their July 2025 meeting, as she asked, each leader brought a list of the resources they have available and the resources they saw needing in the future. 

Sister Sharon knows that this connection is valuable: “They have developed a network of leaders they can trust and . . .they were vulnerable with one another. A big step forward for congregations who are used to being self-sufficient and not asking for help. . .New questions continually arise. . .they face them together to creatively respond and generate solutions . . . The leaders have the support they need as they make big changes for their congregations.”

To that end, WRC offers bi-monthly Zoom Conversations on Topics of Interest. This year the topics have included: Canonically Appointed Leaders, Sharing Management, and Association of the Faithful Structure. 
As these nine congregations explore their unfolding futures, the Wisconsin Religious Collaborative provides them with a valuable vehicle for collaboration for whatever may lie ahead. 

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This article appears in the November Issue of Reflections and Connections

During the past year, the leaders of the Catholic organizations in Fond du Lac have come together to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing their organizations and communities.

The leaders include Saint Mary’s Springs Academy President Stacey Akey, SSM Regional Vice President of Mission Integration Rosie Perez, SSM Vice President of Patient Care Tami Schattschneider, Holy Family Catholic Community Pastor Father Ryan Pruess, Marian University President Aaron Sadoff, and CSA General Superior Sister Sharon Pollnow. 

The group met for the first time on Monday, January 20, 2025, and has continued to gather for several hours each quarter at rotating locations to renew their commitment to collaborate and unify efforts to advance their aligned missions.

President Sadoff had only been in his role for a few months when the gatherings began but has been very appreciative of them. “It’s inspiring to see the leaders of our community Catholic institutions come together in faith, purpose, and partnership. When we unite to share our resources, ideas, and hope, we strengthen not only our organizations but the heart of our entire community. I look forward to these gatherings, reaffirming our collective purpose to strengthen our community through love, caring and hard work.”

These gatherings reflect a shared understanding that collaboration is not only strategic but sacred—an act of faith in action. Together, the leaders recognize that while each ministry and organization carries its own unique charism, they also share many of the same strengths, challenges, and opportunities. By coming together, they are better equipped to respond to the needs of the broader community with unity, clarity, and compassion.
“When we as Catholic leaders in Fond du Lac join hands and hearts, our individual missions become a united ministry,” said Stacey Akey, President of St. Mary’s Springs Academy. “Through faith, shared purpose, and mutual support, we are better positioned to face challenges, embrace opportunities, and serve the needs of our community in a way that is stronger, more impactful, and deeply rooted in our Catholic values.”
 

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This article appears in the November Issue of Reflections and Connections

You are invited to participate in the Conversations of the Heart series. Participants meet once per week for six weeks and use the book Healing The Heart Of Democracy: The Courage To Create A Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit by Parker Palmer to learn more about what it means: 

• to listen to each other openly and without fear, learning how much we have in common despite our differences
• to deepen our empathy for the alien “other” as we enter imaginatively into the experiences of people whose lives are radically unlike our own
• to hold what we believe and know with conviction and be willing to listen openly to other viewpoints, changing our minds if needed
• to seek out additional facts and explanations whenever we find reason to doubt our own truth claims or the claims made by others, thus becoming better informed
• and to probe, question, explore, and engage in dialogue, developing a fuller, more three-dimensional view of reality in the process. 

If you are interested in participating, upcoming dates and the application are available at csasisters.org/unity
 

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This article appears in the November Issue of Reflections and Connections

On Thursday, September 25, 2025, President Aaron Sadoff was inaugurated as Marian University’s 18th President. The day began with a Mass that included Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob, Holy Family Catholic Community Priests Father Ryan Pruess and Father Matthew Kirk, and the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, Marian's founding order. The Inauguration Ceremony in the Sadoff Gymnasium included dignitaries from other universities, as well as Marian's Board of Trustees, faculty emeriti, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and was followed with a Reception on the Quad. 

Archbishop Grob offered a blessing for the occasion, “May the God of all wisdom and grace bless you, President Aaron Sadoff, as you assume leadership of Marian University. … May you hunger for the truth and have a continual appetite for learning and always instill this open search for the truth into this community. ….  May you reflect the love of God by advocating for social justice and dignity of all persons, … and through your servant leadership, may Marian University continue to shine as a beacon of God’s light to all.”

Sister Donna Innes, CSA Sponsorship Advisor, was moved deeply during the event, “The positive energy and spirit of hope for the future of Marian was palpable as President Sadoff received the Presidential Medallion. The joyful spirit—with Sisters and Associates singing; the faculty, students, and staff cheering; along with Aaron's humble and very positive speech—will remain with me.” 

Sister Sharon Pollnow, CSA General Superior, summed up the congregation’s appreciation for President Sadoff, “We have great trust that the person you are—with your vision and commitment to be servant leader, and with the many gifts and skills you bring to your role as the 18th President of Marian University—will continue the long-standing tradition of graduating persons of faith, who believe in their worth, who value relationships, and who are committed to the service of making their communities and world a better place.”
 

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This article appears in the November Issue of Reflections and Connections

The Mission Integration Committee of Marian University is offering a nine-part series focused on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. The series features Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA, Ph.D. in Stayer Auditorium, Marian University, 45 S. National Ave., from 3:00-4:00 p.m., on Tuesday afternoons throughout the academic year. The public is invited to attend. For those who cannot attend in person, each session is available live and recorded on the CSA YouTube channel.

The first three sessions of the series were titled “Dignity of the Human Person: Image of God”, “Appreciation of Creation: Interconnectedness”, and “Commitment to Universal Truth: Anthropocentric to Cosmocentric”. 

Sister Dianne Bergant was recently widely interviewed after one of her students became Pope. Additionally, she has served as President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America (2000-2001) and as the Rev. Robert J. Randall Distinguished Professor of Christian Culture, Providence College, Providence, RI (2009-2010). She was awarded honorary doctorates from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, CA (2013), Marian University, Fond du Lac, WI (2014), and the Catholic University of Australia, Melbourne, Victoria (2015). She was an active member of the Chicago Catholic/Jewish Scholars Dialogue (1988-2017), a member of the Board of Trustees, Sacred Heart School of Theology (1983-1989), and of St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, WI (1996-2005). She sat on the editorial boards of The Bible Today (1979-2005), Biblical Theology Bulletin (1990-2014), Catholic Biblical Quarterly (1992-2001), New Theology Review (1997-2003), Teaching Theology and Religion (2003-2005), and Chicago Studies (2003-2009). She has taught and lectured in various places in the United States, as well as in South Africa and Namibia, Trinidad, England and Ireland, Kiribati, Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, Nicaragua, Rome, Australia and New Zealand. 

Save the dates:

• November 18 - Faith & Reason: What is Theology?
• January 27 - Integral Relationship with the Catholic Church: Missionary Disciple
• February 24 - Hospitality & Tradition: Dialogue
• March 31 - Sacramental Vision: Mystery
• April 21 - Power of Beauty: Vision or Reality
• May 5 - Innovation for the Common Good: Interdependence
  
   

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The November 2025 issue of Reflections & Connections is now available online for your viewing.

This letter appears in the November Issue of Reflections and Connections

Dear Friends,

The author Albert Camus observed, “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Every leaf, turning toward its moment of release, becomes a radiant testament to life’s continual transformation. 

We are part of this same sacred rhythm — called to notice, to give thanks, and to care tenderly for the earth that sustains us. The turning of the seasons mirrors our own spiritual journey: a rhythm of growth, harvest, letting go, and trust in what is to come. In this rhythm, we remember the children, whose laughter keeps hope alive, and the elders, whose wisdom steadies our path. We remember the fragile Earth, our common home, bruised by neglect yet resilient with grace — still offering beauty, breath, and abundance to all who dwell upon it. 

Rainer Maria Rilke once wrote, “The leaves are falling, falling as if from far up… and in the nights the heavy earth is falling toward all the stars in solitude.” His words remind us that creation’s movements — even its letting go — are filled with grace and mystery. 

Let this autumn awaken gratitude in us. 
May we, like creation itself, be willing to change and be changed. 
May every falling leaf, every breath of wind, every laugh of a child, every word of an elder, 
and every sigh of the earth draw us deeper into the beauty of God who renews all things.

With grateful hearts, 
Sisters Sharon Pollnow, Peg Spindler, Madeline Gianforte, and Lael Niblick
CSA’s General Council, 2022-2026

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