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Current Nuns on the Bus information can be found at www.nunsonthebus.org.

News from the Road

Stay up to date on our road trip!

The Multiplication of Energies

By Sister Jan Cebula, OSF

October 28, 2014

As the “We the People, We the Voters” tour of Nuns on the Bus wraps up, one aspect of my experience riding on the bus still intrigues me. From the very first day, what mystified me was the amount of energy we were feeling. “One huge swoosh of energy” was what I wrote at the end of that first day. One time, one day, I could understand. But every day and at every stop? I just kept wondering about it: Why was it happening; what was generating it? What was the meaning of it?

The energy was palpable. I know the other Iowa sisters felt it. Our schedule was intense, and one sister commented that she was so exhausted she didn’t know if she could keep it up. That is, until she stepped off the bus and among the people. That’s how exhilarating it was...

Denver Town Hall

By Sister Betty Voss, BVM

 

October 20, 2014

 

How gratifying to see the hall fill up and then have to send out for chairs three times before the 7:00 p.m. starting time.

 

This was the case Monday night at Regis University in Denver for the “Town Hall for the 100%.” The meeting began with an introduction of each of the eight “Nuns on the Bus” who joined “We...

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

By Sister Anna Koop, SL

 

October 20, 2014 

 

What a delight to visit the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. I happened to be on the founding board of this organization over thirty years ago and it was so good to see the incredible ways in which it has grown.  

 

The organization focuses on housing, healthcare and...

Early Voting at Election Commission in Denver

By Sister Mary Kay Brannon, SL

October 20, 2014 

It was so heartwarming to talk to so many people excited about voting and casting their ballots today. When I put my ballot in the box, I was so aware of the privilege to be able to vote and to live in a democracy.

There were several young people who were taking seriously this privilege and were working in the Denver Election Commission. A man who had moved to Colorado about three months ago was so proud of voting since he was 21 that he wanted to vote this first day.

Yet, not all can vote in Colorado. A young man who wished he could vote said, “I can’t vote. I am a felon.” He was only in his early twenties, and wanted to be able to vote. That conversation made me realize that many feel disenfranchised and can’t or don’t...

Town Hall for the 100%

By Quincy Howard, Dominican Candidate

October 16, 2014

I joined the Nuns on the Bus group this evening to support an effort that is near to my heart. These women of faith provide hope to people on many levels, and it's desperately needed now in the political arena.

I fear that—continuing the trajectory of money's influence on politics—the window of opportunity for voters to have a real impact on decision-makers is narrowing. Now, more than ever, there needs to be a groundswell of civic participation if we're ever going to regain control of our governance, and the biggest obstacle to that engagement is a massive sense of hopelessness and despondency.

During various points in my life I've been a political realist, a political pessimist, and a downright cynic, but I've...

Plaza Fiesta in Atlanta

By Sister Mary Priniski, OP

October 16, 2014

At the Plaza Fiesta in Atlanta, a group gathered to meet the bus and welcome the message of “We the People, We the Voters.” As I listened to the stories of families who have been affected by detention of immigrants, my heart broke.

A young mother who was put in jail and, despite her paying her fine within the first three days, was told that ICE put a hold on her release. It was not true!! She spent 20 days in jail only being able to see her one-year-old child through a glass. What heartbreak for her and her child.

It took the effort of a local community organization, the Georgia Latin American Alliance for Human Rights, to pressure the county to let her go. Certainly, the people working together were able to bring hope to that...

The AFL-CIO Labor Office in Atlanta, Georgia: First Georgia Stop for Nuns on the Bus.

By Sister Jean Marie Lehtinen, OP

October 16, 2014

It was also my first experience with Nuns on the Bus and speaking to the need of encouraging people to vote in the upcoming elections.

I was surprised at the warm welcome. People seemed honored that that the Nuns stopped to bring them the message about the importance of getting out the vote, that they can make a difference. The folks took materials, signed the pledge-to-vote cards and talked about their experience as ordinary people.

One young man spoke of his struggle to maintain hope in a political process where big money is used to sway votes away from the principles of democracy. I was...

New Orleans

By Sister Mary Lou Specha, PBVM

October 15, 2014

In New Orleans, Louisiana, there is always some type of event happening. The locals live between seasons—Football, Carnival (Mardi Gras) and Festival seasons just to name a few. These seasons/events bring happiness, laughter and delight to all who attend.

The Spirit is contagious and is often difficult to contain. The “Nuns on the Bus” captured this spirit as we traveled around the city. Next time the bus comes to town, I will make sure I have some beads to share with Simone so we can toss them from the bus!

Our first stop at the ReBuild Center, a daytime shelter for people experiencing homelessness, celebrates the work of Religious Communities. A...

An Evening at St. Mary’s Academy

By Sister Julie Marsh, PBVM

October 14, 2014

On Tuesday evening, the City of New Orleans was filled with a plethora of events for people to attend such as “The Night Out Against Crime” which promotes neighbors to meet neighbors in all parts of the city, “the Senate Debates” which would enlighten voters in this close Senate race, a city-wide Inter-faith Prayer Service for Peace that gathers monthly, various ball games of variety of colors…and “the Nuns on the Bus!”

Though the crowd was small, the enthusiasm brought by those attending was energizing. Sister Clare, president of Saint Mary’s Academy, welcomed Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS and her entourage of NETWORK staff to New Orleans and the school. After a brief introduction from sisters of various religious communities and from the men and women...

Acting for Justice in Louisiana

By Sister Simone Campbell, SSS

October 14, 2014

Because of dramatic weather conditions that caused travel delays I was the only Nun on the Bus in Baton Rouge. How I missed my Sisters. It really made me realize the invaluable nature of our community on the bus. I felt twice as responsible for hearing the stories of the people we met. First we went to Gardere district to a new organizing effort that focuses the efforts of volunteers to build up their neighborhood. We saw the tutoring and computer classes, and heard from residents what a difference people can make when they work together. Some of the volunteers told me that it was the Just Faith program in their parish that got them to ask what they could do to make a difference in their city. Seeing the relationships that have grown in a few...