The Generalife Gardens of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. This May, Patrick and I visited his parents, who were living in Cordoba, Spain for the semester. It was a delightful trip, and our hearts were warmed with Andalusian soul food and red wine, cafe culture, and the relaxation of being in a country that prioritizes …
“I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.” - Sarah Grimké, abolitionist and feminist in the 1800s. This quote came to my mind yesterday, as I reviewed my latest feature in National Catholic Reporter: New group discerning the future of a …
Nobel Peace Prize nominee, relentless anti-war advocate, free-thinker, and feminist Roy Bourgeois spearheaded a campaign to bring the women's ordination movement in the Catholic Church to some of the most conservative dioceses in the U.S. It was a group effort, and it was a blast to report on.
It's been a busy summer and I've been happy to cover some important topics recently for National Catholic Reporter. Two weeks ago, NCR published a piece I pitched titled: Parishioners show up for racial justice work. The feature covers ways some Catholic parishes are supporting Black Lives Matter, and doing racial justice work. There is …
It's always a good day when you get to interview one of your heroes! Roy Bourgeois has devoted his life to fighting injustice, and ultimately, it got him excommunicated from the Catholic Church. It only made him more interesting. Check out my interview with Roy published on Patheos blog Sick Pilgrim!: Advocacy and Exile: Roy …
My take on why everyone should read Chris Hedges and get enough sleep at night: Chris Hedges’ prophetic voice has been profoundly influential in the way I view the world. His work aims to affirm the dignity of all living things, shine light on illusions and carry the glow of love through unimaginable terror. His …
The Bay of Thailand, next to magical Prachuap Khiri Khan. Misadventure and delight in a sleepy fishing village I stood waist-deep in the crystalline sea, my finger-tips slowly moving through the water. Across the horizon to my left and to my right, the soft curves of Ao Manao Bay’s rocky hills wrapped me in a …
“Our communities must learn to forgive each other” July 12, 2016, Call To Action's Just Church blog “We’ll have no talk of a 'God of love' in this courtroom because we’re trying to kill this kid.” – Prosecution Attorney to Sr. Helen Prejean during the trial of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Sr. Helen Prejean began …
Sophie Vodvarka Chicago-Based Freelance Writer 