no. 334
December 9, 2020

Photo of the Week:

Sisters Support Goshen Food Pantry

As we enter the Christmas season, it is essential to keep in mind those who are less fortunate and struggling due to the pandemic's devastating economic fallout. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of COVID-19 has been the rising number of people now at risk for hunger. These troubling statistics led Sisters Ellenrita Purcaro, Didi Madden, and other Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, and friends of Harmony Farm, a ministry site of the Sisters, to step up and support the Goshen Food Pantry, also known as the Goshen Ecumenical Pantry.

Dr. Uchenna Okereke Fulfills Her Dream

As she was growing up in Nigeria, Sister Uchenna Okereke, OP, was influenced by her father, one of a few in her neighborhood who owned an automobile. If anyone needed a ride to the hospital, "he was the ambulance," Sister Uchenna said. His witness, as well as her teachings in the US, helped her realize her own calling to study medicine and help those most in need. Today, Doctor Uchenna Okereke serves as the Medical Director of Infectious Disease and Epidemiology at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, PA, where she lends a hand to the fight against COVID-19.

St. Mary’s Dominican High School Shares Thanksgiving with Community

St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s Annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive collected donations from homerooms, clubs, athletic teams, alumnae, and community partners, and provided 108 Thanksgiving baskets that will feed more than 1,000 people. “This was a community effort, thanks to the support and work of many,” said Jill Cabes, Vice President of Dominican Catholic Identity.

Preaching in Action: Edward Cramsie

In the most recent edition of the Dominican Youth Movement Newsletter, Molloy Graduate Edward Cramsie spoke on how an encounter with Amityville Dominican Sister Diane Capuano lead Eddie to join the Dominican Youth Movement.

Dominican Cross Country Team Celebrates State Wins

Returning with wins from the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) state meet, St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s Cross Country team was celebrated during a Champions Parade on campus.

Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa Approve Anti-Racism Corporate Stance

The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa announce the approval of a corporate stance for anti-racism. In announcing the approval by the Sisters, Prioress Toni Harris, OP, said, “The pandemic sin of racism continues to require our consistent resistance and our commitment to transformation.”

OPUS II Announcement: Preaching with Their Lives

We are very happy to announce the release of the second iteration of the History of the Order of Preachers in the United States (OPUS) project: Preaching with Their Lives: Dominicans on Mission in the United States after 1850, on sale on November 3, 2020, from Fordham University Press.

Dominican Temporary Professed and Companions Meet Virtually

The author credit was inadvertently omitted from the Temps.Com meeting article. This article was written by Gina Scaringella, OP (Caldwell). We apologize for the error.

UN Declaration of Human Rights

As Sr. Dusty Farnan, OP, writes her reflection on the eve of the 79th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, she remembers one of the most important outcomes of that war, the Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration is a promise by the global leaders that they would never stop pursuing the fundamental rights and freedoms of all. In these past few years, there has been a rise in human rights violations. As we approach Human Rights Day on December 10th, let us be ambassadors defending the rights of all.

Sister Spotlight: Sr. Liz Engel, OP

Sr. Elizabeth (Liz) Engel, OP, Executive Director of Downey Side Adoption Services, an agency dedicated to helping the neediest children of America find permanent families and homes, has had to shift her responsibilities to navigate through the past seven months. During this difficult time, the many children still waiting in limbo in foster care “who long for a permanent family” is what keeps her motivated.

Associate Spotlight: Cathy Trapp

While many people would describe the months passed since March as challenging, Cathy Trapp, an Associate of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, viewed this time as an “awakening.” Cathy is fulfilling “the need for community” by working one day a week with the congregation's ministry Harmony Farm in Goshen. "It fed my well being and provided another awakening to the myriad blessings God forever offers us,” Cathy said.

Below are breif descriptions for upcoming events and retreats. For more information on all events, click here.

Adrian Dominicans Offer Virtual Advent, Christmas, and New Year Services
December 24-25, 31, 2020

The Adrian Dominican Sisters invite you to virtual celebrations of Advent, Christmas, and New Year’s, live-streamed from Weber Retreat and Conference Center and St. Catherine Chapel.

Sister Laurie Brink Offers Virtual Advent Reflection Series

This Advent season, you are invited to enjoy a four-part series titled “One Like Us: Advent Reflections on the Humanity of Jesus” presented by Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Laurie Brink, OP. Professor of New Testament Studies at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.

Meditation Retreat Teaches Beginners, Offers Refresher
January 9, 2021

Sinsinawa Mound Center is sponsoring a retreat on meditation for those who are new to the practice or have strayed and want a refresher. Meditation: It’s Not What You Think will be held via Zoom from 10:00am to 12:00pm CST Saturday, January 9.

Webinar: Russia's Claws in Ukraine
December 19, 2020

Join the Dominican Friars on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at 11:00 am (Montreal/New York), live on Zoom, in English with simultaneous translation into Spanish and French.

Dominican Sisters Invite Public to Celebrate Christmas Services Virtually
December 24-25, 2020

The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa invite you to worship with them virtually as they celebrate Christmas. Services will be livestreamed at www.sinsinawa.org/live.

National College “Preaching in Action” Conference Goes Virtual

For the first time in its 19 year history, the National College “Preaching in Action” Conference will be held online. The schedule is filled with expert speakers, prayer services, a tasting of Dominican life and mission, opportunities for engaging in community sharing and fun activities.

Reading Wendell Berry in Dark Times Workshop
January 6, 2021

Reading Wendell Berry in Dark Times, sponsored by Sinsinawa Mound Center virtually from 7:00 - 8:00pm CST Wednesday, January 6. In our dark and precarious times, participants will delve into the poetry and prose of Kentucky farmer, Wendell Berry.

A Prayer for Advent 2020: Christ-Light
The candles of Advent remind us of Christ-Light, Light of Life. The ritual of lighting the candles, contemplating the movement from darkness to light, the meaning of Christmas and birth of our Savior. Each person is the living legacy of Jesus, who commissions us to be Christ-Light in our world. Join the Dominican Sisters during these coming weeks of Advent, as we contemplate this prayer - as we pray for Christ-Light during this Holy Season - and for all days to come.

Christ-Light, we crave Your Holy Light.
Shine in our darkness.

During this Advent Season,
Be with us.

As, together, we shine Christ-Light
Wherever we may be.