Sisters Speak Out: June 24th Prayer and Public Witness for Immigrants and a Just Economy
June 2025
Record heat in Washington, DC did not dissuade more than 150 people from gathering at the U.S. Capitol to protest unlawful deportations of immigrants, as well as devastating cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs, and other classist/racist dimensions of the proposed U.S. budget bill.
More than 50 congregations of Catholic nuns, along with partner groups including WATER, sponsored this spirited event. It included stirring, educational speeches, rousing music, and the recitation of the Rosary for just and humane action.
Hope, courage, and determination rooted in deep faith were on display. These bold people, mostly women with a great deal of experience, persisting in the heat remind us to stand up together for human rights, speak out loudly for justice, and expect our legislators to vote for a moral budget.
Upcoming Programs
WATERmediation
WATERmeditation Monday, July 7, at 7:30 pm ET
“Goodness, Hope, and the Taste of Summer” with WATER interns Magdalena Müller and Wed Naji
Enjoying summer in these turbulent times is no easy task. Let us embrace the goodness that we have inherited, that we experience, and that we pass on. Let us rejoice in who and what gives us hope. Goodness and hope spark. Let us ignite each other.
WATERtalk
WATERtalk Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 7 pm Eastern Daylight Time
July 17, 2025, at 9 am Australian Eastern Standard Time in Sydney, Australia
“Patricia Horsley: A Celebration of Gratitude for a Global Friend”
Patricia Horsely was an active Catholic feminist. Her support for women’s work in church and society around the world animated many groups, including WATAC (Women and the Australian Church) and WATER.
We will gather to honor her many contributions with input by Kathleen McPhillips, Tracy McEwan, Mary E. Hunt, Diann L. Neu, and others who knew and loved her. All are welcome, indeed encouraged to join “in memory of her” for good conversation about a tireless advocate, supporter, and friend. Thanks to Patricia, connections between colleagues in Australia and the U.S. are strong and cherished.
WATERritual
WATERritual Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 7:30 pm ET
“Intergenerational, International, Incredible Women Changing the World”
This month, we will celebrate influential women of our time. Let us come together and learn about and appreciate their great work in social justice, education, science, sports, and other areas of life. Let’s honor these women and continue to make a positive difference across the world.
WATER in the Media
Introducing “Kwok’n Roll” – The Podcast That Sparks Bold Conversations!
Join the incredible Kwok Pui Lan as she kicks off her highly anticipated podcast, Kwok’n Roll! In each episode, Kwok Pui Lan dives deep into captivating conversations with some of the brightest minds of our time—trailblazing intellectuals, fearless religious leaders, passionate activists, and groundbreaking artists. Together, they explore the pressing political, cultural, and religious issues shaping our world today, all while examining the vital role people of faith play in these pivotal conversations. Listen to the podcast on Podbean.
Catholic Feminist Meets the Moment with Mary E. Hunt
Kwok Pui Lan sits down with renowned theologian and feminist scholar, Mary E. Hunt, to explore the intersection of faith, feminism, and social justice.
In this discussion, Mary E. Hunt shares her insights on the evolving role of women in the Catholic Church, the pressing need for gender equality, and how feminist theology is shaping the future of religious discourse.
Don’t miss out on this rich blend of intellectual depth, humor, and passion. Kwok’n Roll – a discourse that makes a difference.
Canadian Broadcasting Cooperation (CBC) Interview:
In an interview with the CBC, feminist theologian Mary E. Hunt urged urgent reform of the papal election process. Co-founder of the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER), Hunt explained that the process lacks transparency and needs to be more inclusive. With concern growing about Pope Francis’ health, she stressed the importance of including a far more diverse group of electors, including young people and women. She also commented on the movie “Conclave” lest viewers think they know much more about the secret process. Women were portrayed accurately in the movie as only one had real voice. Surely change is needed.
Intern at WATER
Be a Part of an Action-based Community
Become a WATER Intern
for Winter or Spring!
WATER welcomes students from seminaries, universities, colleges, volunteer programs, and more to work in the WATER office.
Interns at WATER engage in the full range of activities from office work to program planning. They learn how a small non-profit is run and what it takes to nurture an Alliance. Those wishing to do their own research will have a chance to utilize WATER’s constantly growing Resource Center as well as consult with our experienced staff through in-house seminars.
Interns must commit to a minimum of six weeks and can stay as long as a year or two. All participants are encouraged to apply for academic credit from their home institutions for their work at WATER. We are delighted to work with programs which sponsor volunteers with expenses shared by WATER as the on-site placement.
What is WATER? 40 Years and Forward!
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Land Acknowledgement
WATER, located in Silver Spring, Maryland, acknowledges that it sits on the traditional and contemporary homeland of the Piscataway and Nacotchtank (sometimes known as the Anacostan) people, the original stewards of this land.
We are committed to lifting up the names of these lands and the community members from these nations who reside alongside us and who were here long before we were. We affirm WATER’s intention to promote healing, respect, and love for all people through our work, with special indebtedness to Native people whose lands we are privileged to share.