The Second Convening of the International Research Network (GRN) took place in Cruces Centre Mexico City from 25th March to April1, 2025. The Cruces Centre, managed by the Holy Spirit Fathers, provided excellent facilities for the realization of the event.   The Convening was attended by 20 persons from the four centres of research (CARA-USA, Mexico, Kenya and India), a representative from the Global Sisters Report, a representative from CLAR, and the coordinator of the Centre for Religious Life- CTU.

The convening listened to reports from the activities of the centres, engaged in lively and helpful discussions, group and plenary consultations on the way ahead and identified areas of focus for the network. It also evaluated the progress made since the first convening in Nairobi 2023. It may be noted that the Global Research Network is the product of the Nairobi convening in 2023 organized by the Centre for Applied Research in Apostolate (CARA) whose director is Fr. Thomas Gaunt SJ. 

The convening brought together enthusiastic and dedicated researchers on the life and mission of Catholic sisters worldwide. The Centre for Applied Research in Apostolate is a trusted and credible research centre in Washington-DC which offers commendable service to the church, and to women religious in particular through their research on the life and mission of Sisters worldwide. It plays a vital role in accompanying and helping the smaller research initiatives which began more recently.  The central importance of the CARA as a reliable research organ and as a unifying and inspiring factor for the emerging new research centres, is praiseworthy. UISG is grateful for the ongoing collaboration with CARA and is happy to be associated with its network.   

Sr. Mary John the Associate Executive Secretary represented UISG and presented a paper on UISG response to the needs, fact and challenges of Catholic Sisters. She also served on the panel on the penultimate day responding to the questions: What have you heard, felt and dreamed these days from the convening? What are the strengths and what may be the gaps?  And what proposals do you have for a more effective GRN?

The convening identified the following next steps:  strengthen and consolidate the existing research centres, communicate and make visible the findings and research GRN to broader public, collaborate with other secular and civil research efforts, research on common topics that interest women’s religious life, and bring out occasional journal/ newsletter on the activities of GRN.  

 An evening of Mexican culture and culinary art, a visit to the famous anthropological museum in Mexico City and Holy Mass celebrated at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Guadalupe marked other memorable moments of the Convening.                         

Sr. Mary John
Associate Executive Secretary – UISG