I work very closely with women from four different religious orders, and I can't begin to tell you what strong, wonderful people these women are. They're also much happier in what they do, than many of the priests I know. It seems to me that they've found a way to do exactly what they want to be doing - serving people in need and loving it.

At Wellspring Women's Center in Sacramento, I currently work with two members of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sister Jane and Sister Judy. They have been friends since 1961, when Jane entered the convent in the class behind Judy. They started out as high school teachers, but they have worked with the poor for many, many years. Sister Judy helped me pressure-wash the building, but she had to leave early because she and Jane were celebrating Liver Lovers' night. They stayed at the restaurant for three hours, ate liver and onions, and talked about stuff other than work. They seem to have a good time doing whatever they do (so do I, which may be why they like me). It's a joy to work with these women. The Women's Center is a constant reminder to me of what the Catholic Church can be and should be, and it keeps me going.

Now, I suppose some of you may question my hanging around with carnivorous nuns, but I really enjoy them. Maybe some other time, I'll tell you about the Sisters of Mercy and their lovely Irish brogues and deep spirituality; or the brash, crusty Sisters of Social Service - who work only with the poor. Or maybe I should tell you about impish Sister Mercedes of the Sisters of the Holy Family, who's 75 years old and one of the funniest people I know (and one of the wisest).

Women are the future of the Catholic Church, and it's time the men learn that. But these women I work with don't really want to be priests. They want to see the priesthood restructured, so that ministry is shared more generally among all the members of the Church instead of being closely held by an elite, ordained caste.

-Joe-