Found in the Archives:
How Did Catholic Sisters Week Come to Be?
Communicators for Women Religious
By Stephanie Hall
The Women Religious Archives Collaborative is home to the archives of Communicators for Women Religious (CWR), offering a deeper understanding of the work of Catholic Sisters since the late 1990s. As we celebrate the 13th Catholic Sisters Week this March 8-14, we are pleased to share the history of Catholic Sisters Week through CWR’s archival materials.
In January 2014, Sr. Rosemary Nassiff from the Conrad Hilton Foundation met with the board of the Communicators for Women Religious (CWR), a professional organization that highlights and advances the mission of Catholic sisters. She informed CWR that the Hilton Foundation was funding an initiative to establish National Catholic Sisters Week, during National Women’s History Month, as an annual opportunity to pay tribute to and recognize the numerous contributions of these dynamic women. The intention was to make Catholic Sisters and the vital work they do more visible. Conrad Hilton, the same Hilton whose name adorns hotels throughout the world, was profoundly influenced by the Catholic Church and Catholic Sisters. Though he died in 1979, his philanthropic legacy and deep regard for Catholic Sisters led to various efforts to strengthen and ensure that their work continues.
Sister Rosemary was accompanied by Molly Murphy MacGregor, co-founder of the National Religious Women’s History Alliance (originally the National Women’s History Project) and a consultant to the Hilton Foundation in this effort. Murphy MacGregor was also inspired and deeply influenced by Catholic Sisters.“People don’t get to see real honest-to-God nuns,” she says. “They’re the ones on the cutting edge of social change.”
The first National Catholic Sisters Week (NCSW) was observed in March 2014. St. Catherine’s University in St.Paul/Minneapolis, MN was the institution that would lead the promotion of National Catholic Sisters Week. Co-directors Molly Dever Hazelton and Sr. Mary Soher, OP, established a digital hub for all info related to NCSW and hosted numerous activities focused on celebrating vocations and sharing “sister stories.” CWR played a vital role in disseminating information about NCSW to congregations across the U.S. who supported the initiative in numerous ways, including vocation story sharing events. As word spread, schools and other ministries founded and staffed by Sisters, participated and hosted events, as well.
By 2019 after a generous Hilton grant helped CWR establish a national office and hire professional staff, CWR assumed responsibility for organizing the annual observance and the “national” reference was dropped from the name to reflect a growing international scope. For professional communicators, Catholic Sisters Week provides the ideal opportunity to expand the visibility and increase awareness of the work of Catholic Sisters. In 2024, CWR formally affiliated with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR).
In the February 7, 2014 issue of National Catholic Reporter, Colleen Dunne said, “Women religious have made and continue to make vital contributions in education, health care, criminal justice, social justice, theology, the arts, and politics. Where good things are happening, there are often sisters involved making a tremendous difference.”
“Women religious have made and continue to make vital contributions in education, health care, criminal justice, social justice, theology, the arts, and politics. Where good things are happening, there are often sisters involved making a tremendous difference.”
Colleen Dunne, National Catholic Reporter
In its early years, Catholic Sisters Week celebrations emphasized awareness and recognition; later years focused more on storytelling, justice, hope, environment, and challenging stereotypes. Though themes and branding elements are presented each year, individual dioceses and religious communities often choose specific local focus themes or mottos, such as Pilgrims of Hope in the Midst of Change to reflect the Jubilee Year of Hope, or Kindness Make it a Habit.
Catholic Sisters Week continues to shine a spotlight on these inspiring women each year. By keeping their stories alive, their impact and influence endures.
Catholic Sisters Week themes over the years:
- 2014 (Inaugural) Shining a Light on Women Religious
The first National Catholic Sisters Week in March 2014 focused broadly on honoring Catholic Sisters’ contributions to society, faith, leadership, education, health care, and social change. It wasn’t attached to a single short theme slogan but centered on public recognition and awareness of Sisters’ work. Some areas adopted the hashtag #thankanun or #thankasister and encouraged people to show appreciation for the contributions of Catholic Sisters.
- 2015 – 2016 Meet a Sister, Be Inspired
General emphasis on celebrating sisters’ histories, ministries, and inspiring future vocations.
- 2017 Meet a Sister, Be Inspired / Kindness, Make it a Habit
- 2018 #SisterSpeak
- 2019 Meet a Sister, Be Inspired
- 2020 Communities of Spirit, Hearts for Ministry
- 2021 Feeding the Soul, Feeding the Hungry
2021 was a unique year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This presented challenges to hosting in-person events. A theme, Feeding the Soul, Feeding the Hungry led to creative implementation that included food drives, including virtual food drives and various other ZOOM/virtual events.
- 2022 Caring for Earth, Caring For You
- 2023-24 Celebrating Traditions, Changing the World
The 2023 celebration used the theme “Celebrating Traditions, Changing the World,” focusing on how Sisters’ heritage and ongoing ministries shape communities and effect change.
- 2025 Beacons of Hope Changing the World
- 2026 Stories of Hope and Heart – #LikeaCatholicSister
