Update | August 18, 2021

Photo of the Week: Sister Ana Gonzalez Professes Final Vows

The Feast of St. Dominic saw the Dominican Sisters of Peace welcome a new preacher to the Order of Preachers, as Sr. Ana Gonzalez professed her perpetual vows to the Congregation in a ceremony at the Hubert Campus Center at Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT. Albertus Magnus is a founded ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, and Sr. Ana ministers at the college as Coordinator of International Admissions.

Sister Katherine Frazier, OP, Renews Vows

Sister Katherine Frazier, OP, renewed her vows with the Adrian Dominican Sisters for three years during a Vespers service August 1, 2021, in Chicago. Celebrating with Sister Katherine were Sister friends and the newly-elected leadership team of the Catherine of Siena Mission Chapter, Sisters Mary Jane Lubinski, OP, Mary Priniski, OP, and Mary Soher, OP.

In a phone interview, Sister Katherine reflected on the grace of her Renewal of Vows. “There’s so much uncertainty right now,” she said. “It was very moving to be able to say that I have the path ahead of me, recommitting myself at this time. This is an invitation to keep on my journey with the Adrian Dominican Sisters and to continue to discover how God is calling me in my life.”

Dominican Institute for the Arts Gathering Focuses on Healing Power of Art
“The Healing and Prophetic Power of Art” was the theme as 65 Dominicans – Sisters, Friars, and Associates – met virtually July 23-24, 2021, for the annual Dominican Institute for the Arts (DIA) Gathering. The annual gathering gives members the opportunity to share their artwork, encourage one another, form community, and hear inspirational and informative talks.

Friends of Saint Dominic's Golf Outing
In late July, Sr. Terry Rickard, OP, of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, participated in the Friends of Saint Dominic's Golf Outing at Upper Montclair Country Club with more than 200 golfers. The event was a success as they raised more than $350,000 for St. Dominic’s Family Services. At the event, Sr. Terry, a Board Member of Sr. Dominic's Golf Outing, offered the prayer at the evening dinner.

Adrian Dominican Sisters Welcome Guest Workers: A Herd of Goats
Adrian Dominican Sisters patiently awaited the arrival of 20 guest workers to their Motherhoues campus. On the morning of July 31, the workers arrived, strolling out of the trailer of Munchers on Hooves: a herd of 20 goats. While their arrival has brought about great excitement, the goats have come to campus for a serious purpose: to keep invasive species of plants in check and to help manage the landscape.

Sisters Call Senate to Support "For the People Act"
On Monday, July 26, members of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, together with members of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood and Mid-Atlantic Sisters of Mercy, gathered at Senator Charles Schumer's Melville Office to deliver a letter applauding his and President Biden's support of the For the People Act.

Amityville Sisters Mary Nolan, Laura Helbig, Mary Pat Neylon and Associate Ginny Campbell gathered on the Sisters of St. Joseph campus for a blessing before their journey to Melville. The letter they carried had more than 6,000 signatures from religious women in the United States. This effort is to encourage the support of expanding voting rights, changing campaign finance laws so as to reduce the influence of money in politics, limiting gerrymandering and creating new ethics for federal office holders. Thank you Ginny, Laura, Mary and Mary Pat for representing our support to this effort.

Sr. Bridget Mary Troy on Faith During Sickness
In the most recent episode of the Hearts Afire Podcast, Sr. Bridget Mary Troy, OP, a Sister of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, reflected on her battle with COVID-19. Along with the medical expertise of Sisters Mary Flood and Noreen Walsh, Sr. Bridget credited faith for guiding her through her battle with the virus and leading her to recovery.

800th Jubilee Reflection
The Dominican Family is celebrating the 800th anniversary of the death of Our Holy Father St. Dominic during a jubilee year that began on the 6th of January 2021 through the 6th of January 2022.

We, the Dominican Sisters Conference/DomLife, are joining with OPWest Dominican Congregations in celebration by offering you monthly reflections on the Theme "At Table with St. Dominic," which is inspired by the Mascarella table, the table on which the first portrait of St. Dominic was painted shortly after his canonization. Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner, OP, shared, “We will celebrate St. Dominic not as a saint alone on a pedestal, but a saint enjoying table fellowship with his brothers, gathered by the same vocation to preach God’s Word and sharing God’s gift of food and drink." This month's reflection is a video reflection by Sister Elizabeth Rodkewich, a Sinsinawa Dominican.

Watch video

Sister Spotlight: Sisters Helen Marie Raycraft, Margery Race and LouAnne Willette

Three Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa in Austin, TX, share brief reflections from their time spent in quarintine during the early days of the Pandemic. Sister Helen Marie Raycraft, OP, offered spiritual direction by telephone. Sr. Helen said, “I was awed at the resilience and courage of so many who are facing the challenges of isolation and working at home as well as educating their children. Some are facing grief issues as friends and family have died, including myself who personally remember 12 people who have died from the virus.” Sister Margery Race, OP, lost her close friend, Manuel, to COVID. “He often led the rosary,” she said. “May Manuel, his family, and so many others be blessed as they care for or mourn their family members. May all of us be given God’s strength.” Sister LouAnne Willette, OP, said, “I have worked to navigate the technology to keep us connected despite the lockdowns and quarantines. We upgraded our internet to be able to accommodate the many virtual meetings we’ve participated in. The Dominican Laity groups have continued to meet via Zoom, both in English and Spanish. We’ve experimented with using the Dominican Charism Initiative and found it an excellent tool in our continuing formation. Two of our Dominican laity have begun a preaching ministry during this time.”

Associate Spotlight: Terri Bolotin, Sinsinawa Dominican Associate

Terri came to know the Sinsinawa Dominicans through her mother, who graduated from one of their schools. She has been connected with the order for nearly 40 years. Terri’s life has been dedicated to the search for truth in her ministry, study and in relationships. She preaches from this search for truth and from her commitment to social justice. As the Director of Spiritual Care and Education at Atrium Health Mercy in Charlotte, NC, Terri brings the truth of inclusion and diversity to hiring practices and service. Her commitment to undoing racism is practiced in her work at the hospital. In addition, Terri is devoted to the cause of immigrants, whether they need health care or food or hospitality.

Terri shares her leadership gifts with the wider family by serving as an Area Promoter for Associates and working with other associates and sisters on committees. Being as Associate connects her to a communal search for truth and the work of justice.

UN Update
For a few months, Sr. Dusty Farnan and those at the UN had the pleasure of working with former Dominican volunteer, Kati Garrison. Kati spent her time researching the impact of climate on migration while working with Dominicans across the world to understand how our family was being affected by climate change. Kati offers a reflection on her research.

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

With Every Leaf a Miracle
September 1 - October 11

Artist Patricia Mroczka will display her watercolor, pen and ink art created on 100% rag paper — hot and cold press — and Daniel Smith watercolors. Her art features nature and architecture.

Sacred Gazing: Henri Nouwen’s Eye for Icons

Saturday, September 18

September 25 marks the 25th anniversary of Henri Nouwen’s death. In honor of Henri’s contribution to the spiritual life, we offer a reflection on icons. During this reflection, we will take time to learn about icons and ways to use them for prayer.

Father Samuel Mazzuchelli Memorial Mass
Sunday, August 29

The annual Father Samuel Mazzuchelli Memorial Mass will be held at St. Patrick Church, Benton, WI. The public is invited to attend. Father Mazzuchelli is known in the tristate area for establishing at least 35 parish communities, designing and building at least 24 churches, and founding the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa.

Workshop on Indigenous Colonization
Saturday, September 11

Brenna Cussen Anglada is an activist, organic farmer, facilitator, writer and cofounder of St. Isidore Catholic Worker Farm in Cuba City, WI. Cussen Anglada will lead Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change, an interactive workshop that traces the historic and ongoing impacts of the Doctrine of Discovery, the 15th century legal justification for European subjugation of the land and peoples of this continent.

Praying Our Troubling Emotion
Wednesday, September 15

Pat Pintens, a presenter at Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center in Arbor Vitae, WI, will lead this workshop that explores with participants how emotions, both “positive” and “negative,” are part and parcel of being human.