At the recent National Justice Conference of Women Religious (JCWR), more than 100 justice promoters from Catholic women’s communities gathered to reflect on two pressing questions: “How are we to be?” and “What is ours to do?” Sr. Mumbi Kigutha, CPPS reminded us, “Knowing our history allows us to move forward with purpose and intention.”

The CSJ St. Paul Province has a long and faithful commitment to justice. Rooted in a deep longing for a more just world, our journey began over 40 years ago with the formation of the first Social Justice Task Force in 1982. This eventually evolved into the Justice Commission, formally approved by the Sisters’ Delegate Assembly and supported by the hiring of its first director, Joanne Tromiczak-Neid, in 1992. Consociates, Partners in Mission, and staff soon joined the work, shaping a dynamic network of justice efforts.

The number and focus of commission issue groups have shifted over the years—growing from six in 1994, expanding to eleven by 2017, and now returning to about six. Each new group has emerged from lived experiences such as the United Nations Women’s Conference in Beijing or activism and imprisonment like at the School of the Americas protests in Georgia. Through all these changes, one thing has remained constant: the CSJ community’s steadfast heart for justice and our commitment to loving God and neighbor without distinction.

At the JCWR gathering, Sr. Nancy Sylvester, IHM posed the difficult but essential question: “But WHY—why do we work for justice?” In today’s world, full of uncertainty and change, that question matters more than ever. Bridget Bearss, RSCJ, of LCWR’s Office of Transformational Justice, offered a powerful reminder: “We have been made for these times.” Bearss invites us to respond in new ways—shifting our consciousness, resisting injustice, and building “the new.”

Yes, we have been made for these times. And yes, the CSJ community continues to answer that call—through love in action, collective commitment, and faithful presence. In 2024–2025 alone, we’ve seen that spirit come alive in so many ways:

• 2,000+ participants across 50+ justice programs, educational events, and advocacy actions.
• 600+ letters/postcards sent to elected officials through grassroots efforts at Carondelet Village (CV) and St. Kate’s.
• 52% engagement rate among 262+ partners in our seven recent Legislative Advocacy Partner alerts.
• Weekly “Doing Something Just” emails offering 10+ justice opportunities to 400+ recipients, every week for a full year.
• Ongoing support for voter engagement and advocacy at CV, St. Kate’s, and beyond.

Together, we continue to speak up, act boldly, and love deeply—for a more just world, today and tomorrow.