Update | July 21, 2021

Photo of the Week: The Dominican Sisters of Peace Send Two to Novitiate

After more than a year of virtual formation ceremonies and celebrations, the Dominican Sisters of Peace were blessed and delighted to welcome Cathy Buchanan, 56, and Tram Bui, 42, as First Year Novices at an in-person ceremony on Saturday, July 10, 2021. The ceremony took place at the close of a virtual Congregational Assembly which was held July 8-10, 2021.

Dominican Sister of Hope to serve on LCWR Global Concerns Committee
Dominican Sister of Hope Margaret Anderson, OP, has been appointed to serve a three-year term on the LCWR Global Concerns Committee. The committee initiates resolutions and actions that forward a social justice and peace agenda, especially on issues that impact women and children.

Sr. Cely Byrnes Retires From Siena House
After 20 years of ministry at Siena House, Sr. Cely Byrnes, OP, a Sister of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, retired as Director of Operations. When reflecting on her ministry, Sr. Cely shared, “Something that gives me hope is that there is a greater awareness of the need and support for structural economic change in order for homelessness to be ended."

Congregation Honors Diamond and Silver Jubilarians
The Adrian Dominican Congregation celebrated the lives and faithful dedication of 44 Jubilarians in a celebration, that involved a Memorial Mass for seven deceased Diamond Jubilarians on June 25, and the formal Jubilee Mass for the living Diamond and Silver Jubilarians on June 26, 2021. Together, the Jubilarians represent 3,005 of religious life, dedicated to God, the Church, and the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

‘First Dominican Women of Prouilhe’ Share Stories during Spirituality Presentation
In the monthly presentation offered by the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Spirituality Committee, three Dominican women from the 13th Century dramatically shared their experiences and the ways in which they modeled “Dominican spirituality at its feminine best.”

Preaching with Their Lives
In the 4th installment of the McGreal Center's book talk series, Preaching with Their Lives, "Dominicans and Disease in the South," covers an engaging conversation with Dr. Margaret McGuinness, PhD, historian of American Catholicism, to discuss a very relevant topic to our current times —religious responses to outbreaks of disease.

Listen here

Sister Spotlight: Racine Dominican Sr. Lois Aceto – A Dominican Dynamo

For someone who just celebrated her 90th birthday, you might expect Sister Lois Aceto to be slowing down a bit. Not this Racine Dominican Sister! There has never been a day in her life that moved slowly and no time in her life that she did the ordinary. Even now, when most people of her age are long since retired, she leads a very active life. Just ask other Racine residents exercising at the local YMCA at 5:00am each day!

Sister Lois lives in an apartment just down the road from Siena, the motherhouse and home of the Racine Dominicans. Anytime there is something going on in Racine, you can spot her in the crowd. She attends prayer vigils for victims of gun violence, helps with fundraising events for justice ministries and attends social education programs. She is a pillar in the Racine Community, especially with those working for social justice.

Associate Spotlight:

Racine Dominican Associates Catherine and Doug Gundlach – Partners in Dominican Charism

Catherine and Doug Gundlach have been Racine Dominican Associates for 11 years. Catherine learned of the Associate relationship through the Siena Retreat Center, and together they were drawn to the mission and charism of the Racine Dominicans.

As Dominican Associates they engage in meeting the challenges of the Racine Dominican mission and charism and how associates and sisters actively live them. A few examples of that are Catherine’s leadership of a community food basket program that provides meals for families in need and Doug’s taking Eucharist to the homebound, those in the hospital, and nursing home. They are both active as associates participating in assemblies, monthly associate meetings, and other Zoom opportunities with the community.

UN Update: Haiti
Upon receiving a dire call on the situation in Haiti at the beginning of April, five Catholic Sister NGO’s and Clarition Fathers got to work on writing a comprehensive document that would deeply immerse them all. The document, UN (UPR) Universal Periodic Review, is an official document that is submitted to the UN. Haiti was due for its review by civil society in Mid-July.

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

Siena Retreat Center to Host Author on Public Trust

Tuesday, September 14

Professor, researcher, and author William Keith will present “Rebuilding Public Trust” at Siena Retreat Center. The evening talk will be based on his recent book, co-authored with Robert Danisch, Beyond Civility: The Competing Obligations of Citizenship.

Workshop Offers Fresh Look at Spirituality through the Lens of Cosmology

Wednesday, July 28

Sister Helen Cahill, OP, a Dominican Sister of Peace, offers A Fresh Look at Spirituality through the Lens of Cosmology during a live-stream program, offered by Weber Retreat and Conference Center. The workshop explores how our understanding of the universe, evolutionary consciousness, and images of God affect our self-understanding as we evolve into love.

Dwellings: A Spiritual History of the Living World

Tuesday, August 10

In Sinsinawa Mound Center’s next virtual Native American Book Discussion, “Dwellings: A Spiritual History of the Living World,” by Linda Hogan is featured. Hogan, of the Chickasaw Nation, exquisitely examines both natural and internal landscapes in this nonfiction book of essays. Whether she is writing about bats, bees, porcupines, or wolves; contemplating the mysteries of caves; or delving into the traditions, beliefs, and myths of Native American cultures, she expresses a deep reverence for the dwelling we all share — Earth.

Study of Mystics Helps Reveal Reality of Selves, Others
Sunday, August 1 - Wednesday, August 4

A three-day virtual retreat offered by Weber Retreat and Conference Center allows participants to explore – through the study of two remarkable mystics – the process in which we realize that God is the very reality of ourselves, others, and all things.

Kansas Organist Plays Debut Summer Organ Concert
Wednesday, August 11

Jan Kraybill of Kansas City, KS, will be the first of three new organists in August to play the Summer Organ Concert series at Sinsinawa Mound. Kraybill is a Grammy-nominated concert artist, musical leader, speaker, and advocate for the power of music to change lives for the better.

Historian Gives Historical Perspective on Capitalism, Indigenous Dispossession
Tuesday, August 17

Sinsinawa Mound Center is sponsoring a virtual workshop, Settler Capitalism and Indigenous Dispossession on the Upper Mississippi. Joshua Wachuta, a public historian who holds his doctorate in U.S. and public history, will offer a historical perspective on how 19th-century businessmen extracted labor, debt, and land from the Ho-Chunk and Dakota nations to obtain the start-up capital for real estate, steamboat, and railroad companies in Wisconsin and Minnesota.