As the COVID-19 pandemic inflicts immense tolls on society, Catholic sisters are present among those most in need, providing rapid response to the poor and distressed. Sisters are embedded in their communities, knowing exactly who is in need and how to help.
It is with this premise that Catholic Extension Society, in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters, FADICA, GHR Foundation, The Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland and Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, have founded the Sisters on the Frontlines, an alliance to respond to the immediate needs of communities impacted by COVID-19. The alliance recognizes the vital role of Catholic sisters in communities with the greatest needs and seeks to aid them in their work by providing direct funding.
The initiative aims to give 1,000 Catholic sisters $1,000 each to help an individual or family suffering the adverse effects of the pandemic. The sister will then report back to the Frontlines alliance on how she made good on the mandate to care for someone in need. The program also strives to spread awareness about the impactful and innovative work of the sisters by asking people to share stories on social media with the hashtag #sistersonthefrontlines.
The program is being launched with seed funding through the alliance, but donations to Catholic Extension Society will be needed to reach the goal of $1,000 to 1,000 sisters.
“I’ve often said that you cannot go to the poorest places of the world and not find the presence of the Catholic Church,” said Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension Society. “And so often the face of ministry among the poor is women religious. Their work is more important now than ever before, and Catholic Extension Society is excited to be a part of this alliance to directly fund the sisters whose communities were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.”
To learn more, to donate or to become a frontline partner, visit the Sisters on the Frontlines website.
