Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJ

The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: a4114369-1cd2-7225-b5f6-0ee9c52807d8.jpg
SAVE THIS DATEApril 22, 2026 (Earth Day) ZOOM at 4pm PDT (7pm EDT)
BACAR, Inc. Forum #25Bay Area Conference of Associates, Affiliates, Friends, and Religious, Inc.  “Covenant | Commitment | Courage”Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJ

Dear Friends of BACAR,
Greetings to you this early Spring! We hope that BACAR, Inc. will be part of your plans for this Earth Day, April 22, 2026! We have invited Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJ, for our twenty-fifth forum entitled “Covenant | Commitment | Courage”. Sr. Bridget brings us a wealth of connections that will make this presentation a special time to come together. In the complexities of the challenges in our midst – personal, community, and global – we will explore the relationship between Covenant and Courage, listening deeply to the prophetic call of the Gospel and the challenges to live with moral courage grounded in contemplative love. As we celebrate Earth Day 2026, we will let the mystery of emerging life guide us as we confront the real challenges of our time while trusting our inner experience to help us address the question, “What is the work that is ours to do… now?” Sister Bridget, RSCJ, is the Associate Director for Transformative Justice at the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and brings to us her vision and insights based on her leadership roles in LCWR, Network Lobby, Pax Christi, the Climate Covenant, and other major groups. Bridget Bearss, RSCJ, is an educator, artist-writer, activist for the Beatitudes, and facilitator of processes to build and strengthen the experience of communities of dialogue, justice, and hope.

As a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart, United States-Canada Province, she is also currently serving as Executive Director of a work within her congregation, Stuart Center for Mission. Stuart Center hosts the work of the United States-Canada Province, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation office, provides conference space for religious communities and faith based non-profit groups to gather, retreat, and create. As a Religious of the Sacred Heart, the integration of contemplation and apostolic mission into a single movement is a source of both inspiration and life-integration for her. It is the journey of living from the heart of God into the heart of the world that most characterizes her journey. We welcome you to this challenging, inspirational, and engaging event on April 22, 2026!
Kathy Noether and Judy BorlandCo-directors of BACAR, Inc.
BACAR, Inc. Forum #25Bay Area Conference of Associates, Affiliates, Friends, and Religious, Inc. “Covenant | Commitment | Courage”Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJAssociate Director for Transformative Justice
Leadership Conference of Women Religious

 Date: April 22, 2026
4:00pm-5:15pm PST, 7:00pm-8:15pm EST
Via Zoom

REGISTER HERE TO GET ZOOM LINK

“Covenant | Commitment | Courage”

Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJ

The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: a4114369-1cd2-7225-b5f6-0ee9c52807d8.jpg
SAVE THIS DATEApril 22, 2026 (Earth Day) 
ZOOM at 4pm PDT/ 7pm EDT
BACAR, Inc. Forum #25Bay Area Conference of Associates, Affiliates, Friends, and Religious, Inc.  “Covenant | Commitment | Courage”Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJ

Dear Friends of BACAR,
Greetings to you this early Spring! We hope that BACAR, Inc. will be part of your plans for this Earth Day, April 22, 2026! We have invited Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJ, for our twenty-fifth forum entitled “Covenant | Commitment | Courage”. Sr. Bridget brings us a wealth of connections that will make this presentation a special time to come together. In the complexities of the challenges in our midst – personal, community, and global – we will explore the relationship between Covenant and Courage, listening deeply to the prophetic call of the Gospel and the challenges to live with moral courage grounded in contemplative love. As we celebrate Earth Day 2026, we will let the mystery of emerging life guide us as we confront the real challenges of our time while trusting our inner experience to help us address the question, “What is the work that is ours to do… now?” Sister Bridget, RSCJ, is the Associate Director for Transformative Justice at the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and brings to us her vision and insights based on her leadership roles in LCWR, Network Lobby, Pax Christi, the Climate Covenant, and other major groups. Bridget Bearss, RSCJ, is an educator, artist-writer, activist for the Beatitudes, and facilitator of processes to build and strengthen the experience of communities of dialogue, justice, and hope.

As a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart, United States-Canada Province, she is also currently serving as Executive Director of a work within her congregation, Stuart Center for Mission. Stuart Center hosts the work of the United States-Canada Province, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation office, provides conference space for religious communities and faith based non-profit groups to gather, retreat, and create. As a Religious of the Sacred Heart, the integration of contemplation and apostolic mission into a single movement is a source of both inspiration and life-integration for her. It is the journey of living from the heart of God into the heart of the world that most characterizes her journey. We welcome you to this challenging, inspirational, and engaging event on April 22, 2026!
Kathy Noether and Judy BorlandCo-directors of BACAR, Inc.
BACAR, Inc. Forum #25Bay Area Conference of Associates, Affiliates, Friends, and Religious, Inc. “Covenant | Commitment | Courage”Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJAssociate Director for Transformative Justice
Leadership Conference of Women Religious

 Date: April 22, 2026
4:00pm-5:15pm PST, 7:00pm-8:15pm EST
Via Zoom

REGISTER HERE TO GET ZOOM LINK
Published
Categorized as Updates

“Covenant | Commitment | Courage”

Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJ

The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: a4114369-1cd2-7225-b5f6-0ee9c52807d8.jpg
SAVE THIS DATEApril 22, 2026 (Earth Day) ZOOM at 4pm PDT (7pm EDT)
BACAR, Inc. Forum #25Bay Area Conference of Associates, Affiliates, Friends, and Religious, Inc.  “Covenant | Commitment | Courage”Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJ

Dear Friends of BACAR,
Greetings to you this early Spring! We hope that BACAR, Inc. will be part of your plans for this Earth Day, April 22, 2026! We have invited Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJ, for our twenty-fifth forum entitled “Covenant | Commitment | Courage”. Sr. Bridget brings us a wealth of connections that will make this presentation a special time to come together. In the complexities of the challenges in our midst – personal, community, and global – we will explore the relationship between Covenant and Courage, listening deeply to the prophetic call of the Gospel and the challenges to live with moral courage grounded in contemplative love. As we celebrate Earth Day 2026, we will let the mystery of emerging life guide us as we confront the real challenges of our time while trusting our inner experience to help us address the question, “What is the work that is ours to do… now?” Sister Bridget, RSCJ, is the Associate Director for Transformative Justice at the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and brings to us her vision and insights based on her leadership roles in LCWR, Network Lobby, Pax Christi, the Climate Covenant, and other major groups. Bridget Bearss, RSCJ, is an educator, artist-writer, activist for the Beatitudes, and facilitator of processes to build and strengthen the experience of communities of dialogue, justice, and hope.

As a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart, United States-Canada Province, she is also currently serving as Executive Director of a work within her congregation, Stuart Center for Mission. Stuart Center hosts the work of the United States-Canada Province, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation office, provides conference space for religious communities and faith based non-profit groups to gather, retreat, and create. As a Religious of the Sacred Heart, the integration of contemplation and apostolic mission into a single movement is a source of both inspiration and life-integration for her. It is the journey of living from the heart of God into the heart of the world that most characterizes her journey. We welcome you to this challenging, inspirational, and engaging event on April 22, 2026!
Kathy Noether and Judy BorlandCo-directors of BACAR, Inc.
BACAR, Inc. Forum #25Bay Area Conference of Associates, Affiliates, Friends, and Religious, Inc. “Covenant | Commitment | Courage”Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJAssociate Director for Transformative Justice
Leadership Conference of Women Religious

 Date: April 22, 2026
4:00pm-5:15pm PST, 7:00pm-8:15pm EST
Via Zoom

REGISTER HERE TO GET ZOOM LINK
Published
Categorized as Updates

“Covenant | Commitment | Courage”

Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJ

The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: a4114369-1cd2-7225-b5f6-0ee9c52807d8.jpg
SAVE THIS DATEApril 22, 2026 (Earth Day) ZOOM at 4pm PDT (7pm EDT)
BACAR, Inc. Forum #25Bay Area Conference of Associates, Affiliates, Friends, and Religious, Inc.  “Covenant | Commitment | Courage”Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJ

Dear Friends of BACAR,
Greetings to you this early Spring! We hope that BACAR, Inc. will be part of your plans for this Earth Day, April 22, 2026! We have invited Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJ, for our twenty-fifth forum entitled “Covenant | Commitment | Courage”. Sr. Bridget brings us a wealth of connections that will make this presentation a special time to come together. In the complexities of the challenges in our midst – personal, community, and global – we will explore the relationship between Covenant and Courage, listening deeply to the prophetic call of the Gospel and the challenges to live with moral courage grounded in contemplative love. As we celebrate Earth Day 2026, we will let the mystery of emerging life guide us as we confront the real challenges of our time while trusting our inner experience to help us address the question, “What is the work that is ours to do… now?” Sister Bridget, RSCJ, is the Associate Director for Transformative Justice at the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and brings to us her vision and insights based on her leadership roles in LCWR, Network Lobby, Pax Christi, the Climate Covenant, and other major groups. Bridget Bearss, RSCJ, is an educator, artist-writer, activist for the Beatitudes, and facilitator of processes to build and strengthen the experience of communities of dialogue, justice, and hope.

As a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart, United States-Canada Province, she is also currently serving as Executive Director of a work within her congregation, Stuart Center for Mission. Stuart Center hosts the work of the United States-Canada Province, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation office, provides conference space for religious communities and faith based non-profit groups to gather, retreat, and create. As a Religious of the Sacred Heart, the integration of contemplation and apostolic mission into a single movement is a source of both inspiration and life-integration for her. It is the journey of living from the heart of God into the heart of the world that most characterizes her journey. We welcome you to this challenging, inspirational, and engaging event on April 22, 2026!
Kathy Noether and Judy BorlandCo-directors of BACAR, Inc.
BACAR, Inc. Forum #25Bay Area Conference of Associates, Affiliates, Friends, and Religious, Inc. “Covenant | Commitment | Courage”Sister Bridget Bearss, RSCJAssociate Director for Transformative Justice
Leadership Conference of Women Religious

 Date: April 22, 2026
4:00pm-5:15pm PST, 7:00pm-8:15pm EST
Via Zoom

REGISTER HERE TO GET ZOOM LINK
Published
Categorized as Updates

Women Erased

“Women of Wisdom!”

From the Bay Area Conference of Associates, Affiliates, Friends and Religious

February 19, 2025

It’s true – women are erased from the liturgy and rarely sited in the Old and New Testament. This made BACAR, Inc. realize we needed to talk about these stories. Women have been the backbone of our church, our world since, dare I say, Adam and Eve! So, BACAR, Inc. threw open the doors, and made space at the table: celebrating the hidden women of the Scripture.

Based on the prayer service held by FutureChurch in Rome, during the synod 2024, “Women of Wisdom” was first created by Maggie Albo with modest contributions by Chris Schenk, for the 2007 and 2008 celebrations of the Feast of St. Mary of Magdala. Creative liberties were then taken by FutureChurch staff to adapt this service for the current moment. BACAR, Inc. adapted these events to a gathering of like minds on February 19, 2025.

We gathered that day to celebrate the women of our faith who are so often invisible. The women whose stories are not mentioned in our Sunday readings were called upon; the women who are not given seats at the table were listened to. We began with a litany for the Women of the Hebrew Scriptures and the Women of Christian Scriptures, for mystics and saints, for leaders and theologians, for workers and ministers, for mothers and daughters, and for all the holy within our community and within the world today and yesterday. Yes, even you were thought of that day!

Among these women we studied and listened to Shiprah and Puah of Exodus, our sister Phoebe – deacon of the church in Cenchreae, Junia – woman apostle with Paul, Miriam, who saved Moses from the water, and Judith, who risked her own life and saved her people. And certainly a deep caring for all the Mary’s was preached including Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, and our Mother Mary.

Our breakout sessions and large group sharing were particularly rich with a great desire to tell our story! Great ideas surfaced particularly from three separate archivists of three different communities who shared how their sisters, and some associates, have been chronicling each and every one’s own gifted story.

We concluded that we should not to be discouraged but rather use the fire of the Holy Spirit to build equality and respect in our Church and in our world. Trusting in our Lord’s Resurrection of Love, first proclaimed by Mary of Magdala, one day this will be a reality and women will take their place – never to be erased.

Our next event is not yet planned, but hope it will be in early October during this Jubilee Year of HOPE!. It will celebrate BACAR, Inc. 30th Anniversary!!!!

Submitted by Kathy Noether, AND

Co-director of BACAR, Inc.

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“A Status Update onthe Universal Synod”Come hear where we are now, where we are going…and see where you fit in.
Wednesday, February 28, 20244:00pm-5:15pm Pacific TimeVia Zoom
REGISTER HERE TO GET ZOOM LINK
Our Guest Speaker:Deborah Rose-Milavec
Deborah Rose has recently retired from FutureChurch where she served as executive director and co-director for over 10 years. In her role, she led FutureChurch, a thirty-three year old Catholic reform organization whose mission is to “seek changes that will provide all Roman Catholics the opportunity to participate fully in Church life and leadership.” She has attended the synod gatherings in Rome since 2014 and has been a regular commentator on events and happenings there.  She helped lead the “Votes for Catholic Women” campaign that resulted in 54 women being able to vote as equals to the bishops at the Synod on Synodality last October. In other work, she has developed resources on a women’s authority and leadership, racial justice, emerging models of parish and community life, lay leadership, the impact of closing parishes in low-income communities, and more.  Some of those resources include the “Women Witnesses for Racial Justice” series; the educational and advocacy effort to educate and advocate for keeping economically disadvantaged inner city parishes open; the “Women Erased” educational series; the work of developing a synodal, participatory church; and more. Deb has more than 20 years of experience working in community and Church-based organizations and brings a strong background in theology, Church history and Catholic social teaching. She combines that knowledge with her administrative, supervisory and development experience in nonprofit organizations. Her professional experience includes serving as Executive Director of a Domestic Violence Prevention Agency and Shelter, Program Director for the American Friends Service Committee, and just prior to her work for FutureChurch, Vice President and Project Director of St. Catherine of Siena Virtual College with special outreach to women in Africa, China, India, Philippines, Thailand and Latin America. Deborah holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from United Theological Seminary, a B.A. in International Studies: Peace and Diplomacy, and trained as a lay pastoral minister in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
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View this email in your browser
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“A Status Update onthe Universal Synod”Come hear where we are now, where we are going…and see where you fit in.
Wednesday, February 28, 20244:00pm-5:15pm Pacific TimeVia Zoom
REGISTER HERE TO GET ZOOM LINK
Our Guest Speaker:Deborah Rose-Milavec
Deborah Rose has recently retired from FutureChurch where she served as executive director and co-director for over 10 years. In her role, she led FutureChurch, a thirty-three year old Catholic reform organization whose mission is to “seek changes that will provide all Roman Catholics the opportunity to participate fully in Church life and leadership.” She has attended the synod gatherings in Rome since 2014 and has been a regular commentator on events and happenings there.  She helped lead the “Votes for Catholic Women” campaign that resulted in 54 women being able to vote as equals to the bishops at the Synod on Synodality last October. In other work, she has developed resources on a women’s authority and leadership, racial justice, emerging models of parish and community life, lay leadership, the impact of closing parishes in low-income communities, and more.  Some of those resources include the “Women Witnesses for Racial Justice” series; the educational and advocacy effort to educate and advocate for keeping economically disadvantaged inner city parishes open; the “Women Erased” educational series; the work of developing a synodal, participatory church; and more. Deb has more than 20 years of experience working in community and Church-based organizations and brings a strong background in theology, Church history and Catholic social teaching. She combines that knowledge with her administrative, supervisory and development experience in nonprofit organizations. Her professional experience includes serving as Executive Director of a Domestic Violence Prevention Agency and Shelter, Program Director for the American Friends Service Committee, and just prior to her work for FutureChurch, Vice President and Project Director of St. Catherine of Siena Virtual College with special outreach to women in Africa, China, India, Philippines, Thailand and Latin America. Deborah holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from United Theological Seminary, a B.A. in International Studies: Peace and Diplomacy, and trained as a lay pastoral minister in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Logo

“A Status Update on
the Universal Synod”
Come hear where we are now, where we are going…

and see where you fit in.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

4:00pm-5:15pm Pacific Time

Via Zoom

REGISTER HERE TO GET ZOOM LINK

Our Guest Speaker:
Deborah Rose-Milavec

Deborah Rose has recently retired from FutureChurch where she served as executive director and co-director for over 10 years. In her role, she led FutureChurch, a thirty-three year old Catholic reform organization whose mission is to “seek changes that will provide all Roman Catholics the opportunity to participate fully in Church life and leadership.”

She has attended the synod gatherings in Rome since 2014 and has been a regular commentator on events and happenings there. She helped lead the “Votes for Catholic Women” campaign that resulted in 54 women being able to vote as equals to the bishops at the Synod on Synodality last October.

In other work, she has developed resources on a women’s authority and leadership, racial justice, emerging models of parish and community life, lay leadership, the impact of closing parishes in low-income communities, and more. Some of those resources include the “Women Witnesses for Racial Justice” series; the educational and advocacy effort to educate and advocate for keeping economically disadvantaged inner city parishes open; the “Women Erased” educational series; the work of developing a synodal, participatory church; and more.

Deb has more than 20 years of experience working in community and Church-based organizations and brings a strong background in theology, Church history and Catholic social teaching. She combines that knowledge with her administrative, supervisory and development experience in nonprofit organizations. Her professional experience includes serving as Executive Director of a Domestic Violence Prevention Agency and Shelter, Program Director for the American Friends Service Committee, and just prior to her work for FutureChurch, Vice President and Project Director of St. Catherine of Siena Virtual College with special outreach to women in Africa, China, India, Philippines, Thailand and Latin America. Deborah holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from United Theological Seminary, a B.A. in International Studies: Peace and Diplomacy, and trained as a lay pastoral minister in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Published
Categorized as Updates

View this email in your browser

Logo

“A Status Update on
the Universal Synod”
Come hear where we are now, where we are going…

and see where you fit in.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

4:00pm-5:15pm Pacific Time

Via Zoom

REGISTER HERE TO GET ZOOM LINK

Our Guest Speaker:
Deborah Rose-Milavec

Deborah Rose has recently retired from FutureChurch where she served as executive director and co-director for over 10 years. In her role, she led FutureChurch, a thirty-three year old Catholic reform organization whose mission is to “seek changes that will provide all Roman Catholics the opportunity to participate fully in Church life and leadership.”

She has attended the synod gatherings in Rome since 2014 and has been a regular commentator on events and happenings there. She helped lead the “Votes for Catholic Women” campaign that resulted in 54 women being able to vote as equals to the bishops at the Synod on Synodality last October.

In other work, she has developed resources on a women’s authority and leadership, racial justice, emerging models of parish and community life, lay leadership, the impact of closing parishes in low-income communities, and more. Some of those resources include the “Women Witnesses for Racial Justice” series; the educational and advocacy effort to educate and advocate for keeping economically disadvantaged inner city parishes open; the “Women Erased” educational series; the work of developing a synodal, participatory church; and more.

Deb has more than 20 years of experience working in community and Church-based organizations and brings a strong background in theology, Church history and Catholic social teaching. She combines that knowledge with her administrative, supervisory and development experience in nonprofit organizations. Her professional experience includes serving as Executive Director of a Domestic Violence Prevention Agency and Shelter, Program Director for the American Friends Service Committee, and just prior to her work for FutureChurch, Vice President and Project Director of St. Catherine of Siena Virtual College with special outreach to women in Africa, China, India, Philippines, Thailand and Latin America. Deborah holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from United Theological Seminary, a B.A. in International Studies: Peace and Diplomacy, and trained as a lay pastoral minister in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

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Season of Creation: Climate Change

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Bay Area Conference of Associates, Affiliates, Religious and Friends, Inc.BACAR, Inc. #19 Event:“Season of Creation: Considering Climate Change!” Dear Friends of BACAR, Thank you for joining us on October 4, 2023 for our meditative prayerhonoring Saint Francis and all of creation. We heed the words of PopeFrancis who said, “We must never forget that the younger generationsare entitled to receive from us a beautiful and livable world, and thatthis invests us with grave duties towards the creation we have receivedfrom God’s generous hands.” This day of St. Francis also ended the Season of Creation and initiated Laudato Deum – a true CALL TO ACTION for all of humanity. We are in solidarity with the coming Synod and the hopes that it will bring. If you registered for this forum you are receiving today the following:The PDF of: “Season of Creation: Considering Climate Change!”The unedited recording of this presentation (you may want to forward between #37 and #53 to the rich discussion and conclusion):https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/TXYEfdWPnlAmpO2o6MytKK1iBs3Jcpfn6RbBy0mVamWF7IbZG0TB_cX1pryMLLyE.Lyytou-qPQX07mQzPasscode: 6Z+mx9w7Laudate DeumSome comments from participants In praying together, we hold up the seventy+ women in particular, serving as witnesses at the Synod on Synodality starting days after our BACAR, Inc. meeting this month. We continue to keep in mind and in prayer with the events of the day, particularly thepoor and the hungry, those facing cruel wars, torture, the tragedy and sadness fromstorms and fires, and an ever-renewed hope for our Mother Earth. We look forward toyour continued participation in our collaborative discussions through BACAR! Judy Borland and Kathy Noether, Co-coordinators of BACAR
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