Update | July 7, 2021

Photo of the Week: Springfield Dominican Named President-Elect of LCWR

Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP, prioress general of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, is the president-elect of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) for a 3-year term that begins in August 2021.

St. Mary’s Dominican High School Observes Juneteenth with Celebration of Freedom: Remembering Our Shared History
On June 19, the first officially declared federal holiday of Juneteenth, St. Mary’s Dominican High Schools' Alumnae Association presented, Celebration of Freedom: Remembering Our Shared History. The gathering of reflection and rejoicing was a virtual gathering for Dominican alumnae around the country.

Sustainability and Permaculture Update Focuses on Summer Projects and Progress
In their quarterly update on sustainability and permaculture efforts at the Adrian Dominican Sisters Motherhouse, Sister Corinne Sanders, OP, Joel Henricks, and Joel Aslakson spoke of the progress on summertime projects at the Adrian campus. In the fifth year of living out the Congregation’s 2016 General Chapter Enactment on Sustainability, the focus is on changing beliefs about Earth and our relationships to creation. “This leads to changed practices,” said Sister Corinne, Director of the Office of Sustainability.

Sister Annie Killian Completes Canonical Novitiate
The Dominican Sisters of Peace are blessed to celebrate seven women who are moving to new stages of their formation to religious life, including Sr. Annie Killian. Tennessee-native Sr. Annie Killian became acquainted with the Dominican Sisters of Peace while studying for her PhD at Yale University in New Haven, CT, and ministered as a student leader in the campus ministry at Saint Thomas More, the Catholic Chapel at Yale. She has completed her canonical year at the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate, where she served in a Chicago prison ministry while experiencing Novitiate life.

Siena House Recognizes Sisters Years of Service
Blessings to Sr. Cely Byrnes! On June 26th, Sr. Cely and the Siena House staff were recognized by Sr. Mary Doris for their years of service to the women and babies of Siena House. During the event, the staff celebrated Sr. Cely, who is retiring after 21 years of service at Siena House.

Barry University Joins COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge
As part of its ongoing commitment to promoting vaccination and a return to the pre-pandemic “normal,” Barry University, a ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, proudly accepted an invitation from the White House and the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge.

From Las Casas: Groundbreaking Rocky Boy
A group gathered Sunday to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Catholic church at Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation following after it burned down in December 2019. A Mass to mark the occasion was celebrated by Bishop Michael Warfel of the Great Falls-Billings diocese.

Supporting Pastoral Councils to Further Parish Missions
Caldwell Dominican Sister Donna L. Ciangio, OP, who serves as chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark, works with parish pastoral councils throughout the archdiocese to facilitate parish planning and support their leadership work. “Councils are trying to read the pulse of the parish and improve the life of the parish,” explained Sr. Donna. “It’s an opportunity for collaboration between the parishioners and pastor and staff so that the pastor hears from people on the ground what’s going on.”

Dominicans Serve at the US/Mexico Border
Dominican Sisters of Peace Rose Marie Cummins and Appoline Simard have just returned from El Paso, where they served refugees and migrants seeking asylum in our nation. Read her observations of their service, and the questions that it raised.

Sinsinawa Mound Center to Reopen Fully to Public
Sinsinawa Mound Center plans to fully reopen to the public on Sunday, August 15, 2021. This includes welcoming visitors and guests to the Sinsinawa Book & Gift Gallery, where Sinsinawa Bakery items will also be available, the Telling Our Story heritage exhibit, the Tracing a Journey — Father Samuel Mazzuchelli exhibit, the Sinsinawa Art Gallery, and Queen of the Rosary Chapel. Organizations and groups will also be able to schedule meetings, day retreats, and tours at Sinsinawa Mound.

Adrian Dominican Congregation Receives Two Awards from Catholic Media Association
The Adrian Dominican Congregation received two awards from the Catholic Media Association for a video and for its 2020-2021 Annual Report. The Catholic Media Association announced the awards on June 10, 2021, at the end of its virtual annual conference.

Hearts Afire Podcast
Watch or listen to the latest episode of the Hearts Afire Podcast hosted by the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, NY. In this episode, our featured guest, Sr. Shirley Jeffcott, OP, reflects on the meaning of spirituality. To watch, listen, or subscribe, click on one of the below links:
YouTube
Apple
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Sister Spotlight: Teresita Huse, OP

In seventh grade, around 1933, Sr. Teresita Huse, OP, Great Bend, KS, had her first opportunity to realize her dream of being a religious Sister…in a play conducted at her school. She got to dress as a Sr. of St. Joseph, and was even mistaken for a Sister by a Christian Brother.

“I was a St. Joseph Sister for one day,” she said with a smile many years later.

A few years later, the habit she wore would be real, and her title not the name of a character in a play. At 15, she became “Sister Teresita.”

As she celebrates her 85th anniversary of a Dominican Sister, Sr. Teresita Huse looks back at what led her to religious life in this interview by Dave Meyers of Southwest Kansas Catholic.

Associate Spotlight: Yahaira Rose

Imagine coming to America at 19, with no English, to study at the largest University in the nation. That’s the story of Yahaira Rose, who left Puerto Rico in 1992 to study at the Ohio State University. She earned her degree, then a Master’s in Leadership Development, and completed ABD coursework in Organizational Psychology.

Yahaira has spent much of her life helping immigrants and marginalized people in Central Ohio, helping those on the path that she once walked. As Director of the Martin de Porres Center, a Columbus, OH, ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, she has manages several ministries that offer a brighter future to the marginalized in our community.

UN Update: High-Level Political Forum
Sr. Dusty Farnan provides a continuation of her June 23rd update on the High-Level Political Forum.

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

Spiritual Life: It's All About the Relationships

Sunday, July 18

Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, offers a light to guide us in this time of contradictory values and upheavals in every major institution of society, as well as within the hearts of individuals.

Mound Center Welcomes Josh Ring

Wednesday, July 28

Sinsinawa Mound Center welcomes Josh Ring, professor of music at Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL, for his first organ concert of the Summer Organ Concert series.