Dr. Carol Zinn, SSJ: Responding to an Invitation

“Have you ever thought about being a sister?” That simple invitation from a religious sister became a call to consecrated religious life for Dr. Carol Zinn, SSJ. Looking back on her life, Dr. Zinn, a religious sister with the Sisters of Saint Joseph, sees a series of invitations to which she responded “yes,” each of which shaped her vocation, career, and spirituality.

On this episode of The Catholic Leaders Podcast, hosts Kim Smolik and Kerry Robinson talk with Dr. Zinn who today is Executive Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). She draws back the curtain on the state of religious life in the United States and provides a candid look at how discernment, charism, and vocation are shaping the landscape of consecrated and religious life in the 21st century. Dr. Zinn also provides insight into her work at the U.N., working for global peace.

About Sr. Carol
Dr. Carol Zinn, a sister of St. Joseph from Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA has ministered in education as a teacher, professor, religious educator, sacramental coordinator, and music minister. Dr. Zinn holds a Doctorate in Curriculum Development and Education Foundations from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

Dr. Zinn worked in grassroots-based international movements as consultant and facilitator. In particular, she worked on the United Religions Initiative and the Earth Charter. Dr. Zinn served as the main representative for the Congregations of St. Joseph, an NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council at the United Nations. She represented over 15,000 Sisters of St. Joseph who live and minister in 57 countries. Dr. Zinn also worked as the Education Program Director for Global Education Associates, a non-governmental organization working to further global systemic change.

Dr. Zinn served on her Congregation’s leadership team and in the Presidency of Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) from 2012-2015. Currently, Carol serves as the Executive Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.

You can learn more about the Sisters of Saint Joseph on their website, www.ssjphila.org, and on social media:
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You can learn more about LCWR on their website, www.lcwr.org, and on Facebook @lcwr.org.