Copy Desk Daily, March 17, 2020

This St. Patrick's Day has a dearth of parades, but Chris Herlinger has another way of celebrating the Irish: affirming their social activism. He talks to some of the Irish sisters he knows from covering women religious at the U.N. to find out what role Irishness may play in their commitment to social justice advocacy.

Nearly 900 people were expected, but the Loyola Chicago climate conference was upended by coronavirus precautions. Just one preliminary workshop was salvaged, and EarthBeat was there. The small gathering discussed the links between the mission of Jesuit schools like Loyola and community-based research with marginalized groups.

GSR's Emerging Communities series takes a look at groups like the Confraternity of Penitents, the Dwelling Place, and Sisters for Christian Community — formed by laypeople with the blessing of a local bishop and recognized by the Catholic Church: Private associations of the faithful bring religious life to laity.

In this week's Soul Seeing column, Joni Woelfel recalls the joy of turtles — especially one particular group of baby turtles that turned up (or, rather, were turned up) in her backyard.

In case you missed it: some quarantine advice from a couple of NCR writers. Heidi Schlumpf has been homeschooling her kids in religious education, and from that experience, she offers tips on religious education in a time of coronavirus. And NCR film critic Sr. Rose Pacatte suggests a DIY edifying film festival for the social distanced and quarantined. Along with her list of movie recommendations, she shares discussion questions for kids and ideas for making movies of your own.

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