Summer 2007, Volume 50, Number 2
by Beth Kress, PBVM

Sisters United News (SUN), which comprises 12 religious congregations of Catholic Sisters in the Upper Mississippi River Valley, including the Dubuque Presentation Sisters, has created an interactive website that delivers facts, story ideas, collaborative projects and links to educate individuals, specifically the media, about Catholic Sisters and their ministries. These congregations are located in parts of Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. The group launched their collaborative SUN Media Center this past April in hopes that the media will use it as a premier source for story ideas about Catholic sisters.

The new site, www.sistersunitednews.com, includes news, story ideas for media, SUN project information and experts on a variety of topics. The “Experts Guide” includes a listing of topics for which SUN spokespeople are available for interviews. Possible topic areas include: Contemplative lifestyle, Death Penalty, Education, Holistic Health, Peace and Justice Issues, Spirituality, Women’s Issues and many more.

Since 1993, SUN has initiated many projects to illustrate the life and work of contemporary sisters. Through newspaper and magazine articles, press releases, billboards, print and broadcast advertising and now the new website, SUN has increased public awareness about causes the congregations collectively support such as ending racism, abolishing the death penalty, welcoming immigrants, respecting the earth, calling for world peace, encouraging voting and exploring religious vocations. The SUN Media Center also presents regularly updated story ideas and up-to-the-minute news alerts.