Catholic nuns among the last providing migrant aid at California border
Mexicali, Mexico | ncronline.org | August 13, 2026
Excerpts from the article:
“A year after Global Sisters Report last visited sisters along the San Diego-Mexicali corridor, the shelter — one of the venues where they minister to migrants near the border — had just 33 people.
“One effort is the sister-led Transborder Coalition for Border Ministries, the administrative arm of a network supported by more than 30 women’s congregations that funds the pastoral work of sisters like Jabro. In 2025, more than two dozen congregations pledged up to $300,000 to help the effort and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, a major funder of GSR, awarded the coalition that same year a $400,000 grant to build “organizational and financial capacity.”
“While some sisters don’t have the physical capacity to show up to the border, many have pledged their help in other ways. Some offer prayers, some write letters to their local representatives, some congregations help the effort by donating to the coalition, and even sisters who are infirm have helped by packing whistles, used to alert communities to the presence of ICE agents, said Rochester Franciscan Sister Phyllis Sellner. “They feel it’s important to be involved in activities for migrants and anybody else in need,” she said.”
You can view the entire article here: https://www.ncronline.org/catholic-nuns-among-last-providing-migrant-aid-california-border
Catholic Garden Network features article from Sister Alice
Sister Alice Thraen submitted an article to the Catholic Garden Network, and it was featured in their September online newsletter. Julene Jarnot, executive director, introduced it as, “In this issue, we’re especially grateful to Sister Alice Thraen, OSF, for sharing a glimpse of summer in the Umbrian Garden at Assisi Heights in Rochester, Minnesota. Her reflection seems a particularly fitting way to begin the Season of Creation.”
You can view it here: https://mailchi.mp/catholicgarden/a-franciscan-garden-the-season-of-creation-cgn?e=34a882a560
A new Mayo Clinic Heritage Film tells the story of the five Rochester Franciscans who led Saint Marys Hospital for its first 97 years
The 30-minute film is called “Determined Spirits: The Sisters Who Led Saint Marys Hospital.” It will premiere on the Mayo Clinic campus during Heritage Days, September 28 through October 2. There will be screenings at 11:30 AM each day in Geffen Auditorium in the Gonda Building.
There will also be special screenings at Assisi Heights on Friday, October 2. It will be seen in the community room at 3:15 PM and in the Spirituality Center at 6:00 PM. The afternoon showing will also be broadcast to the Healthcare Center. Tom Williams, the film’s writer and director, will be present for both showings for a discussion after the screenings.
Starting September 28, the film can be seen online at Mayo Clinic’s History & Heritage website.
Mayo Clinic owes its existence to this heroic nun
By Philip Kosloski | Aleteia.org | August 25, 2026
Many in the United States are familiar with Mayo Clinic, a medical system of hospitals and clinics known for world-class care. Whenever it comes to needing complex medical care, Mayo Clinic is always mentioned as an option. What many do not know is that Mayo Clinic would not exist if it weren’t for the determination of a Catholic nun in Rochester, Minnesota.
Read the entire article here: https://aleteia.org/2026/08/25/mayo-clinic-owes-its-existence-to-this-heroic-nun/
Letter to the Editor: St. Francis’ Example Lives on Today
By Teri Sanneman and Dee Thatcher | Rochester Post-Bulletin | August 25, 2026
“Pope Leo XIV designated 2026 as the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Saint’s death in 1226 and to encourage spiritual renewal. The hope is to emphasize peace, simplicity, care for creation and to follow the Gospel example.
“On Saturday, August 15th, Rochester Franciscan Sisters and Cojourners (lay Franciscans) traveled from Assisi Heights to St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN, to attend “Francis and Clare, A Musical,” which first premiered in 2017 at this very same location….”
Read the entire letter here: https://www.postbulletin.com/opinion/letters/letter-st-francis-example-lives-on-today