November 5, 2014

Dear Sisters and Associates,

Late yesterday I received an email from Sister Maria Hanna, OP, prioress of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, with a letter acknowledging the $145,000 we have sent to date, thanks to the generosity of Dominican congregations, family and friends. Expressing her gratitude, Sister Maria details how they have used those resources, including the purchase of 3,000 mattresses and blankets, which the sisters distributed to needy refugees with the help of young people. Sister Maria notes that winter has come to Erbil and it is now rainy and cold. “People will need more blankets, comforters, and portable heaters. We are trying to find some supplies with a decent price to include as many people as we can.”

Fortunately, we have an additional $24,000 in hand that we are sending today. We are grateful not only to our sister Dominican congregations for their generous donations, but also to all of you who forwarded the call for help to your family, friends, and parishes and joined in helping us offer this desperately needed relief.

Please share this response widely, which expresses the sisters’ deep gratitude and continued concern about the future and the pressing needs of their beloved people. Our sisters are living on the margins with Christian and other Iraqi refugees in ways that Dominic calls us all. Let us continue to pray for everyone impacted by this cruel war—and continue to seek and offer support in whatever ways we can. Thank you.

In Dominic and Catherine,

Attracta Kelly, OP, Prioress
Adrian Dominican Sisters
Adrian, Michigan