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Nuns on the Bus & Friends Tour Launches with Call to Vote

Voting, it is not only our right, but our obligation

October 1, 2024  |  By Sr. Robbie Pentecost, OSF

This message was heard loud and clear across Love Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the kick-off rally for the 2024 Nuns on the Bus & Friends “Vote our Future” Tour. A diverse lineup of speakers made a passionate plea on a wide range of issues, summoning us to be multi-issue voters and to realize that how we vote matters. 

While the issues to be weighed and considered when voting are many, all the speakers sounded the call to build a community of compassion in which equity, inclusion, and kindness are at the core. In the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, the call to vote went out, loud and clear, that we are one community, and when one rises, we all rise. 

Surrounding the opening rally was an array of diverse people including tourist, businesspeople who seemed preoccupied with their own thoughts, office workers scurrying to get to and from their place of work, and seemingly unhoused folks waiting for what might come their way. One of the striking moments for me was witnessing the signing of the bus by a man who appeared to be unhoused. Everyone included, no exceptions! 

Sisters from diverse congregations, along with faith and community partners in the work, then boarded the bus to encourage those along our path to recognize our call as people of faith and siblings to one another to focus on our values as a guide in voting. A sacred journey for sure, carrying everyone along the way with us. 

A vision is now set where all are welcomed and where every person has an opportunity and the resources to flourish.  Now to make that a reality through our vote! 

Support the Nuns on the Bus & Friends

Nuns on the Bus and Friends bus on display at Love Park in Philadelphia, PA

Nuns on the Bus stopped at Love Park to kick off the Vote Our Future Tour.

Signatures on the Nuns on the Bus tour bus

Signatures on the Nuns on the Bus tour bus

Love Park-26 Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia

Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia holding their banner in Love Park

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-02) and Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-05) hold a Nuns on the Bus t-shirt after making a call to vote to all gathered at Love Park in Philadelphia, PA

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-02) and Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-05) hold a Nuns on the Bus t-shirt after making a call to vote to all gathered at Love Park in Philadelphia, PA

Nuns on the Bus and Friends bus on display at Love Park in Philadelphia, PA

Catholic Sisters, social justice advocates, and Philadelphia residents gathered in Love Park signed the Nuns on the Bus & Friends tour bus

Bishop Dwayne Royster (l) with Bus Riders Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, pictured by the side of the bus after the Philadelphia kick off rally. Reverends Royster and Gould each issued powerful call to vote

Bishop Dwayne Royster (l) pictured with Bus Riders Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson

NETWORK is proud to call Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould, Faith in Action, and Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, Children's Defense Fund Executive Director

Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould, Faith in Action, and Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, Children's Defense Fund Executive Director, after Rev Gould's rousing call to vote and make a plan to vote with loved ones

Joan F. Neal, NETWORK Deputy Executive Director and Chief Equity Officer opens the Nuns on the Bus tour at Love Park in Philadelphia, PA

Joan F. Neal, NETWORK Deputy Executive Director and Chief Equity Officer opens the Nuns on the Bus tour at Love Park in Philadelphia, PA

NETWORK's Laura Peralta-Schulte applauds the call to vote at the Nuns on the Bus rally in Love Park, Philadelphia, PA

NETWORK's Laura Peralta-Schulte applauds the call to vote at the Nuns on the Bus rally in Love Park, Philadelphia, PA

Eric Hammel was visiting Love Park when NETWORK stopped. It was his first time learning of NETWORK

Eric Hammel was visiting Love Park when NETWORK stopped. It was his first time learning of NETWORK

A new Philadelphia friend in Love Park

NETWORK made many new friends at the rally

Sister Quincy Howard, OP, signs the bus after the rally.

Sister Quincy Howard, OP, signs the bus after the rally.

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-02), stands during the rally

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-02), blue suit, stands with other rally speakers

Sr. Robbie Pentecost, OSF

Sr. Robbie Pentecost, OSF, is a Sister of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana. She says, "I ride the bus because it is a sacred journey, an opportunity to sow seeds of hope, renewal of spirit for those working for justice, and an occasion to walk with those impacted by policies made at the federal and state levels."