Sisters and Sustainability

Catholic Sisters in Partnership for Sustainability (2017–2020)

The Loyola Institute for Ministry has completed “Catholic Sisters in Partnership for Sustainability,” a grant project funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and implemented with congregations of Catholic sisters, primarily in East Africa. The project supported sisters in strengthening their capacity to engage in partnerships that advance sustainable development.

Its purpose was to help participating communities connect the language of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with Catholic Social Teaching (CST), while grounding this work in their own cultural contexts and congregational charisms. The project also equipped sisters with practical skills in partnership-building, resource development, and communication to more effectively advance their ministries for sustainability.

Through this educational initiative, the project strengthened congregational capacity in three key areas:

1. Enhancing leadership skills among East African sisters, particularly in communication and collaboration with organizations working toward the SDGs.
2. Leveraging existing ministry partnerships in support of sustainable development goals.
3. Sharing the work of participating congregations with broader audiences, framing it through Catholic Social Teaching and their charisms in relation to the SDGs.

Resources

Catholic Social Teaching Poster

In Swahili: for adults | for children

In English: for adults | for children