- June 14, 2022 Social Justice
By Sisters Barbara Jennings, Mary Ann Nestel and Nancy Corcoran
In 1971, in response to Vatican II reforms and the World Synod of Catholic Bishops’ document, “Justice in the World,” a group of Catholic sisters faithfully answered the Gospel call to act for justice and founded the first Catholic lobby organization in the United States to educate, organize and lobby for justice. Officially opening their doors in April 1972, NETWORK heeded the mission to “advocate for and with all who are suffering and oppressed” by oppressive and biased legislations. Since then, the group of justice-seekers—women religious and women and men of all walks of life—have been a healing presence in a broken world, transforming systems and changing lives throughout the United States.
In honor of NETWORK's 50-year justice journey, over 100 participants gathered on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., from April 21 to 23 for advocates training, with nearly 320 guests attending the 50th anniversary “Justice Ablaze” Gala on April 22. During the three-day conference, participants refined their organizing, communications and lobbying skills at workshops, policy briefings and community-building table discussions.
Sisters Barbara Jennings and Mary Ann Nestel attended the event. Throughout the weekend, S. Barbara said that she felt that Sister Audrey Olson (1928-2019) and other early lobbyists were in their presence. “I know they were smiling down on us with their notebooks of talking points for congressional visits in hand,” says S. Barbara. “I thought of and prayed for S. Audrey and all of our CSJ NETWORK members.”
S. Audrey was the first sister from the St. Louis province to be a NETWORK lobbyist and attend the training workshops. She also served as a board member from 1975 to 1981. Both Srs. Barbara and Mary Ann were board members from 2000 to 2007 and 2007 to 2011, respectively. Other current/former CSJ members include: Sisters Rosemary Flanigan (member since 1975) and Nancy Corcoran (board member, 1992); Sisters Loretta Herkenhoff and Rosemary Connell (both deceased); former province justice coordinators Associate Diana Oleskevich and Anna Sandidge (board member, 2013-17); and former sister Kathleen Tomlin (board member, 1986-89).
Today, NETWORK is building our justice system anew, still based on advocating with and for the oppressed, partnering with many "sister and brother" organizations, benefitting from our respected reputation on Capitol Hill, whether in disagreement or agreement. Their mission is focused on facilitating the racial wealth and income gap by dismantling systemic racism, cultivating inclusive community, rooting our economy in solidarity, and transforming our politics.
Together, we can continue to be a healing presence in the word today and in the next 50 years by transforming systems and changing lives.