SSJ Erie Communications Director Joins Local Group to Cycle 100 Miles to Promote Social Justice Work of Catholic Sisters

A group of cyclists committed to advancing the mission and image of Catholic sisters will cycle their way from North East, PA to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, on Monday, Oct. 2, as a social media and pedaling pilgrimage to promote the social justice work of Catholic sisters. 

Cyclists on the 100-mile trek include Catholic sisters, communications professionals working for communities of Catholic sisters and members of Communicators for Women Religious (CWR), along with friends and others who support the cause. The group is anchored by Linda Romey, OSB of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie; Stephanie Hall, Communications Director for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania and an SSJ Associate; and Jennie Hagerty, Executive Director of Mercy Center for Women in Erie.  Also riding are Erie County Executive, Kathy Dahlkemper; Dave Dennis, owner of Lake Country Bike Shop in North East, PA and other cyclists who support the cause and the work of catholic sisters. 

At various stops, the cyclists will livestream (Facebook Live) brief information on social justice issues, share some Catholic sisters’ initiatives on the issue and offer prayers on that issue.

The public is invited to virtually ride along with the group by “liking” the Communicators for Women Religious Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/ncnwr/)  More information about the ride is available at www.c4wr.org. 

Issues that will be addressed along the way are:

• Human Trafficking: that those sold into human trafficking know a future free from enslavement.
• Poverty: that the poor, especially women and children, know a hopeful future free from want, neglect and abuse and those with little or no access to health care, that they know a future without needless worry and suffering.
• Non-violence: that victims of violence may know a nonviolent future built on good education and good jobs.
• Environment: that our earth and all creation has a sustainable and clean future.
• Immigration: that immigrants and refugees know a future of welcome and acceptance.

The group will arrive at Niagara Falls, Canada, where the annual Communicators for Women Religious (CWR) conference is being held Oct. 3-6.

CWR is a professional organization of communications personnel who work for congregations of Catholic sisters. The organization’s mission is to be a network of professional support and education for members who promote understanding of women religious, enhance their image and advance their mission. CWR also serves as a resource for other organizations serving women religious.  This year’s conference is the organization’s first conference outside the United States, reflecting the growth of its international members and the emergence of a global sisterhood.