With Easter approaching, we are taking some time to help people (Catholic and non-Catholic) to understand the process of becoming a Catholic through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).  This episode is moderated by Sr. Nancy Stiles and features Sisters Alice Arsenault, Fran Cavey and MaryEllen Ryan.  This discussion may be especially interesting to "cradle Catholics", who often have had little visibility to the steps a non-Catholic follows before being welcomed into the church.

This wonderful discussion is moderated by Sr. MaryEllen Ryan, as she speaks with Sisters Pat Mulryan, Barbara Kirkman, and Laurette DeChamplain about the experiences and lessons of living a full life.  Sister Laurette celebrated her one hundredth birthday last year, and all share their experiences as women religious from years gone by as well as those which are still giving them opportunities to grow today.  This remarkable discussion is poignant, funny, inspiring and even includes some gentle trash talk between these Red Sox and Yankee fans!  We hope you enjoy it.

The Virgin Mary has been an important part of our Catholic faith since the early days of the church.  This discussion, between Sisters Rita Theresa Goulet, Barbara Kirkman, and Holy Union Associate, Judy Corliss, is led by Sister Fran Cavey, and explores Mary's role in the church and in our faith.  As a woman, and the mother of Jesus, Mary's perspective is unique.  The discussion fleshes out how the Sisters relate to Mary, how Mary impacts their prayer, and Mary's role in bringing people to her son, Jesus. 

Our special Christmas Episode, Christmas Across Cultures, is dedicated to the loving Memory of Sr. Ann Boland.  Sr. Nancy Stiles moderates a discussion among Holy Union Associate, Margaret Agbese from Nigeria, Holy Union's former Office Manager, Alina Pieprzycki from Poland, and long-time friend of Holy Union, Teresa Aiello from Honduras.  They discuss Christmas traditions and customs in their home countries.  We all have unique ways to celebrate the coming of Jesus at Christmas, and we hope you find this episode fascinating, joyful, and even touching.  Our Sisters wish you and yours a blessed Christmas!

We are dedicating December's episodes in loving memory of Sr. Ann Boland, who envisioned them and planned to moderate them both.  Her intent was to discuss how to more fully embrace the joy of the season through simple reminders of what we are really celebrating.  The Church calls this "Living Liturgically".  Sr. Barbara Walsh now moderates this discussion with Sr. Alice Michael and Holy Union Associate, Tina Silvestro about ways to find the joy we are seeking in the season of Advent and the feasts of Christmas and The Epiphany.  We hope this discussion inspires you to experience this season in a richer, more meaningful way and avoid being swept into the hectic swirl that can often overtake us at this time of year.  Thank you Sister Ann.  May you rest in peace.

Sr. Alice Arsenault moderates a discussion among Sr. Rita Beaudoin, Sr. Marilyn Bearne and Sr. Ann Kernan about the establishment of a Holy Union House of Formation in Brockton, MA in the 1980's which was meant to support both the Fall River and the Groton Provinces.  The number of ministries and works which grew out of this project were numerous, eventually leading to uniting the two provinces into the US Province of today.

Sr. Fran Cavey Moderates a discussion with Sr. Peg McCabe, who has spent over three decades ministering to those men and women who are incarcerated on Rikers Island in New York.  Sr. Peg shares some surprising stories and insights from her ministry helping those who have found themselves on the wrong sie of the law, and the importance of the message that God loves you.

Sr. MaryEllen Ryan hosts this discussion with Sr. Ann Boland and Holy Union Associates Pat Healey and Kathleen Jeffra about their experiences ministering to those with special needs.  This moving discussion recounts several occassions where they were inspired by those who had been given a cross to bear, and who carried it with such grace and dignity as to turn it into a blessing for themselves and those around them. 

Sr. Fran Cavey moderates a second discussion on Holy Union in Cameroon with Sr. Jane Newcomb and Sr. Marilyn Gignac.  Their conversation covers overcoming the challenges of establishing a house of formation, setting up a new ministry in the remote village of Moloundou, and the amazing "rabbit project"!

Sr. Nancy Stiles speaks with Sr. Lorraine Sirois and Sr. Barbara Walsh about the early work of the Holy Union Sisters with the good people in Appalachia.  Sr. Lorraine and Sr. Barbara spent decades in this unique and often poor part of our country, reflecting with joy on those they met and worked with. Producer's Note: At two points in this episode Mr. Mike Morrissey is accidently referred to as "Jack".