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A teacher works with students at the Salish School of Spokane.

The gift of two and a half acres of land to the Salish School of Spokane carries meaning far beyond new buildings. The land, once part of the grounds surrounding the convent of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, rests along a stretch of the Spokane River where Salish people historically sustained their community. The Salish, a major Indigenous group, have long inhabited a vast region of the Pacific Northwest, including present-day Washington, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and parts of Oregon. Donated by Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington, the land’s return to Salish stewardship stands as a meaningful act of preservation and restorative justice.

Founded in 2009 by five Southern Interior Salish women, the Salish School exists to revitalize critically endangered Salish languages and culture. All subjects are taught in the Colville ’ Salish language, including courses in chemistry, math, music, art and history. Enrollment in the school is a family commitment, with parents also required to spend 60 hours per year studying Salish. The new campus will allow the school to expand, providing more classrooms and meeting space as well as a cultural community center. Adjacent to the new Salish School campus, Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington is building “River Family Haven,” a 72-unit supportive housing development for low-income families. At the end of the 15-year investor period, the housing development will also be donated to the Salish School of Spokane. The ultimate vision is to create a Salish village where language, culture and daily life come together.

For co-founder LaRae Wylie and school principal Chris Parkin, this project is the realization of a lifelong dream. It reflects a shared commitment by the school, Catholic Charities and the wider community to honor the past, care for the land and build a future where Salish language, culture and people can thrive. To learn more about the Salish School of Spokane and the new campus project please visit salishschoolofspokane.org.

A MACAMS gathering in 2024.

More than twenty-five years ago, SNJM Sisters Carroll Ann Kemp and Carol Ries invited a few women to gather in their home to learn, to listen and to understand the growing reality of human trafficking. At the end of that first meeting, Sister Carroll Ann offered a quiet challenge, “What if, next time, each of us brings one more person?”

When they met again, the group had more than doubled. What started as concern quickly became commitment. From that living room gathering, the Mid-Atlantic Coalition Against Modern Slavery, MACAMS, was born.

As the work of MACAMS unfolded, it echoed a wider movement within the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. In 2004, the Congregation issued a Corporate Stand against trafficking of women and children, committing all Sisters to this justice ministry.

In the years since, MACAMS has grown into a diverse, interfaith coalition active throughout the Washington, D.C. area. While it began with Catholic religious women, it soon expanded to include lay people of many faith traditions. “Our diversity is a gift,” Sister Carol says. Ending human trafficking requires all of us.

The mission of MACAMS is rooted in prayer, education and advocacy. Members create a network of care behind the scenes. When someone reaches out for help, the coalition connects them with trusted resources like the Polaris Project’s U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline or The Alliance to End Human Trafficking. One woman came to them from California, unaware that her own uncle trafficked her to Washington D.C. Through the MACAMS network of relationships, she found legal help and a path toward safety and healing.

Every other month, a small group gathers to stand on street corners, holding signs and praying together. Their presence is quiet but unmistakable. The goal is to provide awareness that trafficking is happening here, in our own communities, not “somewhere else.” On alternate months, the group meets to learn together, plan advocacy efforts and welcome speakers. They visit legislators, educate parishes and speak with students, knowing awareness might one day help someone else.

The work to end this crime is challenging. Trafficking is lucrative, global and relentless. Prayer and community are what continue to support the MACAMS members in their efforts. Sister Carol shares, “We don’t let it keep us down; we persevere. If even one person is helped through our actions, it was worth it.”

Nobel laureate Mary Brunkow, St. Mary’s Academy class of 1979.

“Listen to your gut, your heart, or wherever you get hit when you think you’re really interested in something.” Mary Brunkow shared that advice with students at St. Mary’s Academy, her alma mater (class of ’79). It’s good advice from anyone, but coming from a Nobel laureate, you might listen extra hard. Now students are more excited than ever about their science studies after the news of Brunkow’s 2025 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.

Brunkow is currently a molecular biologist at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle and shares the Nobel with Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi. The group was collectively awarded for their work discovering a class of immune cells that help to prevent the body from attacking its own tissues, providing fundamental knowledge of how the immune system is regulated. Brunkow called the work “an amazing team effort.”

Since the opening of the SNJM allgirls school in 1859, each generation of St. Mary’s students has been surrounded by supportive women, from the caring faculty and staff who nurture the community to the driven alumni who pioneer new paths. For students in the midst of their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, Brunkow achieving the highest award in her field is huge news. As the St. Mary’s community celebrated news of Brunkow’s Nobel, senior Tuula remarked, “It goes to show that anyone here can go on to do anything. As someone who wants to go into STEM, it’s really inspiring.”

Brunkow has commended the high school community that helped her cultivate her academic growth, including her teachers Sister Mollie Reavis and Sister Rosemary Anne Parker. She has also acknowledged the role models, career mentors and women in science who gave her “the courage and incentive to persevere.” Now it’s Brunkow’s turn to inspire the next generation. In her Nobel acceptance speech, she shared, “My hope is that I, in turn, can be that role model for my own daughters, as well as for the other young women who are excited about science.”

In 2003, Sister Mary Rita Rohde founded Nuestra Casa. Today, through education, advocacy, and mutual support, Nuestra Casa empowers immigrants to create positive changes, enriching themselves, their families and their communities.

“Sister, you are an educator through and through, so you need to do something to educate immigrant women.”

What inspired you to found Nuestra Casa?

In 2002, I returned to the Yakima Valley in Washington State after serving on our Congregational Leadership Team for five years in Longueuil, Quebec. Because I had worked at Heritage University in the Yakima Valley prior to being in Quebec, I knew there were some unmet needs among the diverse population of the Valley. Thus, I interviewed 80 knowledgeable persons (teachers, social workers, church outreach workers, etc.), asking one question, “What is the greatest unmet need among low-income women and children in the lower Yakima Valley?” I shared the results of these interviews with our local Sisters and Associates and invited them to gather and discern to what ministry I was being called. As we discussed the information I had shared, it became obvious that the group of Valley residents who were most underserved and most vulnerable were immigrant women from Latin America. Sister Margaret Downey, the eldest of the seven Sisters present, said, “Sister, you are an educator through and through, so you need to do something to educate immigrant women.” Everyone agreed! Thus birthed the concept of founding a non-profit to educate and empower immigrant women.

“Although Nuestra Casa is an independent non-profit, founding it would not have been possible without the assistance of the Sisters of the Holy Names.”

What were the primary challenges you faced in establishing Nuestra Casa?

It can be daunting to establish a new non-profit, but many knowledgeable colleagues and friends made it possible. I was fortunate to know a competent lawyer who was familiar with doing the paperwork to establish a non-profit organization. It wasn’t difficult to recruit members for a Board of Directors. And of course, money was needed. Because I had learned to raise money for Heritage University, I knew how to raise funds, but I realized that would take time. So, I asked the SNJM Washington Provincial Leadership Team if they would fully fund Nuestra Casa the first year and fund half of the budget the second year, which they agreed to do. Our staff was just me and two half-time employees, and we were able to use the Sunnyside Catholic Church facilities, so our budget was small. Although Nuestra Casa is an independent non-profit, founding it would not have been possible without the assistance of the Sisters of the Holy Names!

Because there were so many needs among the immigrant community, we began immediately to collaborate with other agencies and churches to offer services. We invited a police officer to teach in Spanish what was needed to pass the written portion of the test to get a driver’s license. Our first class enrolled 45 students which was understandable since there is no public transportation in the lower Yakima Valley, and most immigrants need to drive a car to get to their work in the fields and orchards. Along with two police departments we helped hundreds of immigrants get their driver’s licenses! A sampling of collaboration with other groups has included five churches, the local community college and three local public-school districts in offering English classes; clinics and the local hospital doing workshops about health issues; Heritage University teaching GED classes. Individual volunteers have included a young man who taught fitness classes and a man who taught citizenship classes.

“For SNJMs, education is about much more than academics. At Nuestra Casa the full development of the person is evidenced in the large variety of offerings, including celebrations.”

How would you say the SNJM spirit is reflected in Nuestra Casa’s endeavors?

While Nuestra Casa was founded to educate and empower immigrant women, men are also welcome. Hospitality is one of those SNJM values that one feels immediately upon entering the Nuestra Casa building. Immigrants are joyfully greeted and asked how Nuestra Casa can be of help. People may want to enroll in a class or register for an event or have a question about services. If the person needs a service that Nuestra Casa cannot provide, staff assist the inquirer to get in touch with an agency that can be of help.

For SNJMs, education is about much more than academics. At Nuestra Casa the full development of the person is evidenced in the large variety of offerings, including celebrations. A sense of community and belonging is fostered in classes, workshops and events. Care of Earth and the environment is demonstrated through workshops and care to avoid buying anything plastic when possible. Women’s Justice Circles sponsored by IPJC have addressed local and State justice issues with success.

Four SNJM Sisters have been on the Nuestra Casa Board at various times; three Sisters have been on the staff for a few years. SNJM Associates have been involved as an Executive Director, as a staff member, as a Board member, and one is currently a volunteer English teacher. For short periods of time various Sisters and Associates have brought students from Holy Names institutions to volunteer at Nuestra Casa. Our SNJM spirit and values have permeated this ministry.

What are you most proud of regarding this organization?

What makes me most proud is that Nuestra Casa is run by immigrant women. (I am a volunteer English teacher but otherwise have no official role at Nuestra Casa.) The growth and expansion of Nuestra Casa’s services are due to its very competent leadership team who are all immigrant women. Of the eleven regular staff all but one are immigrant women. When the staff become aware of needs in the immigrant community, they act to address those needs and find the funds to do so. One of the most impactful programs they have developed is the all-encompassing Citizenship Program. Three staff have been trained and certified by the U.S. Department of Justice to assist immigrants with the legal work necessary to apply for citizenship, thus saving immigrants the $2,000-$10,000 they would have paid lawyers for this service. This program includes Citizenship classes and individualized assistance for the 60 immigrants who annually complete the arduous process to become U.S. citizens. Annually with all its programs Nuestra Casa serves about 1,500 families from a building it is in the process of purchasing!

For more information, listen to an episode of SNJM’s podcast, “Women on a Mission,” to hear an interview with Sister Mary Rita about the transformative work done by Nuestra Casa.

This article was originally published April 4, 2026, on snjm.org: https://snjm.org/en/blog/2026/04/08/nuestra-casa-in-the-words-of-sister-mary-rita-rohde-snjm/

SNJM Sister Karen Conlin has dedicated forty-five years to teaching music at the Holy Names Music Center (HNMC). She uses her skill as a music educator and professional cellist to promote peace, dignity, and hope. She occasionally plays the cello with other musicians for weddings, funerals, and other special events. She is currently a member of the U.S.-Ontario Province.

The heritage of the Holy Names Music Center spans more than a century. In 1888, five Sisters of the Holy Names arrived in Spokane from Portland, Oregon, to open an elementary school; piano lessons were already being offered before the end of that first year.

What is special about the HNMC, and what do you like most about it?

The Holy Names Music Center is distinguished by its vibrant, collaborative environment. I deeply value the opportunity to work alongside such a dedicated faculty, where we don’t just share teaching techniques and ideas, but also enjoy a genuine sense of camaraderie through our joint projects.

The Center provides us with dedicated teaching studios and access to the recital hall for performances. Perhaps most significantly, the school manages all billing and financial logistics with families, allowing us to focus entirely on our students. I also find great joy in the variety of our student recitals—ranging from piano and strings to vocal and guitar—and the fact that our facility supports summer camps, group lessons, and rehearsal space for local orchestras.

How are the HNMC’s activities in line with the Sisters of the Holy Names’ mission or educational goals?

Our work is rooted in the legacy of Mother Marie Rose, who founded the community on the conviction that education is a matter of justice and compassion—one that should be accessible to all children, regardless of wealth.

We believe in educating the “whole human person,” which means nurturing the soul and a sense of beauty alongside academic subjects. Our goal is to enrich every student: while some will pursue music as a career, others will find lifelong personal pleasure in playing, and many will become informed, appreciative audience members. To ensure this mission remains inclusive, we offer a generous financial aid scholarship fund that serves as a cornerstone of our community.

What difference can such an organization make in a society?

The Holy Names Music Center serves as a pillar of stability; our long-term presence in the Spokane area is a testament to our commitment to the community. By offering music education in a wide array of instruments and styles—through both private and group instruction—we provide a vital cultural and educational resource that enriches the lives of local residents.

What are your hopes for the future of the HNM Center?

My primary hope is to secure the long-term sustainability of the Center. This support will allow us to better invest in our dedicated faculty and ensure our facilities remain a high-quality environment for learning, preserving our status as a premier space for musical growth for years to come.

Learn more about the Holy Names Music Center at hnmc.org.

Originally published Feb. 20, 2026, on snjm.org: https://snjm.org/en/blog/2026/02/20/interview-with-sister-karen-conlin-45-years-of-teaching-at-the-holy-names-music-center/

Sister Joanne Pundyk, SNJM, has been serving in Brazil since 1987, where she is one of five SNJM Sisters who founded the Centro Social Madre Maria Rosa. Located in the city of Maceió, the center serves the community by offering educational and recreational programs for children and adolescents (ages 7–14), artisanry classes and adult literacy initiatives.

The center’s mission is to empower those in vulnerable situations through comprehensive development, active solidarity, and advocacy aimed at transforming unjust systems to ensure human dignity. This mission also encompasses supporting people affected by human trafficking, a critical issue in the region.

From a Brazilian perspective, how would you describe the current landscape of human trafficking? 

The issue of human trafficking continues to be a massive problem that undermines the human and spiritual values of the Brazilian people. It occurs on local, national and international levels. It is directly related to impoverishment, a lack of gender equality and a complete disregard for human dignity. A significant percentage of the persons caught in the web of human trafficking come from the northern and northeastern regions of the country—regions which have the highest number of people living in vulnerable conditions. On the positive side, there is a national plan by the federal government, now in its fourth edition, to combat human trafficking and involve the population in reporting violations. Networks, such as Rede Um Grito Pela Vida, are directly involved in the struggle to eliminate this evil.

Regarding the efforts to address human trafficking, what do you consider to be the primary achievement of Centro Social Madre Maria Rosa? 

The Centro Social Madre Maria Rosa—located in the city of Maceió on the northeastern coast of Brazil, which receives nearly a million tourists per year—is a safe harbor for children, adolescents and women living on the periphery of the city. In terms of human trafficking, we have been able to raise awareness regarding what it is, how it happens, its consequences and our responsibility to report suspected cases. Education is a vital element of prevention, and prevention saves lives.

What has been your greatest source of satisfaction after all these years dedicated to helping young people? What drives you to pursue your mission in Brazil? 

I am happy that, as a team of dedicated people, we have provided a safe place for children, women and their families to value their human dignity, develop their talents and assume their roles in their community. People know that we are there for them, and so they become “multipliers” of what they have learned at our center. I continue to live out my mission in Brazil because I am called to do so; it is a vocation. I experience much happiness and peace in being part of a group of people who are signs of hope among the challenges and adverse situations of our reality. The love and resilience of Mother Marie Rose is a constant inspiration for me.

Originally published March 24, 2026, on snjm.org: https://snjm.org/en/blog/2026/03/24/interview-with-sister-joanne-pundyk-a-legacy-of-service-in-brazil/