Stories
Seldom Heard
324th Edition –
July 2026
A Story You Might
Otherwise Never Hear
My dear friends,
Welcome to
Stories Seldom Heard. This month we have a
“Story You Might Otherwise Never Hear”
concerning the actions
of approximately 300 Catholic women’s congregations in the United
States.
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the
“Declaration of Independence,” on June 25, 2026, the
Leadership
Conference of Women Religious delivered a letter and our
“Declaration of Commitment” to
each member of Congress. Thousands
of sisters who were not able to be present in Washington, DC
joined
in an hour of prayer in our local Mother Houses and convents.
United in Spirit and a prayerful
silence, we viewed a contemplative
zoom Prayer Service prepared by LCWR leadership.
The Leadership Conference of Women
Religious’ letter to Congress, our “Declaration of Commitment”
signed by the congregations of religious sisters, as well as the
congregations’ elected leadership, are
attached. I think you will
find both our letter to Congress and our “Declaration of Commitment”
not
only inspiring, but also firm in purpose. I hope you will take
the time to read and pray with us as
we reaffirm our commitment to
our lives as women religious and to our many vibrant ministries both
within the United States and the world.
Please open the two attachments.
Blessings, Sister Patricia
ssh_Declaration of
Committment.docx
ssh_Letter
to Congress - June2026 3.docx
Special thanks to Mary Ellen Green and
Maria Hetherton who have helped in editing this article. Also,
special thanks to Bob McGrath who conscientiously mails SSH to you
each month. Without Bob’s generosity this service would not be
possible. Bob utilizes Constant Contact for mailing. If you wish to
change your email address please send your new email address to Bob
at robert.mcgrath@mgrc.com.
Thank you.
"Stories Seldom Heard" is a monthly
article written by Sister Patricia Bruno, OP. Sister is a
Dominican Sister of San Rafael, California. This service is offered
to the Christian Community to enrich one's personal and spiritual
life. The articles can be used for individual or group reflection.
If you would like "Stories Seldom Heard" sent to a friend, please
send a note to Sister Patricia at
brunoop2017@gmail.com. If
you would like to support this ministry, please send a donation to
Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, c/o Sister Patricia Bruno, OP., 40
Locust Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901. Thank you.