Condolences from around the world poured in by e-mail to Sister Kathleen Hughes, Provincial of the Society’s U.S. Province in the days following the Columbia shuttle disaster on February 1. Sister Hughes, noting that the seven astronauts “represented so much that is noble and good in our world,” said she was profoundly grateful for the beautiful expressions of sympathy and support.

Dear Sisters, As we approach Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent, we are reminded that this is a time to return to the source of our calling as RSCJ, as Christians, as women, as human persons inhabiting this fragile earth. Lent provides us with time to go deep into our hearts to clear a way for the energy at the source to course unimpeded through our veins. As we open the path and till the soil, divine energy will enliven our weary bones, heal our hurting hearts and give hope to our budding dreams–the promise of new life once again.

The weekend of February 2-3, 2003 is designated for the celebration of the World Day for Consecrated Life in dioceses throughout the United States. We offer our Vocation Prayer as a way of remembering our own part in the life of the Church and pray that others may join in this work with us.

A new Sacred Heart elementary school in Uganda, long a dream of Religious of the Sacred Heart in the Uganda-Kenya province, will open Feb. 10.  Sacred Heart students, associates, alumnae, alumni and partners in mission in the United States and around the world have contributed to make this project possible. The school is the first Sacred Heart school in East Africa.