High Schools Preaching Conference
Sister Pat Brady Award given to friar, sister, campus minister

What do a friar, a sister, and a campus minister have in common? They each received the Sister Pat Brady Award at the 16th Annual Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference that took place this past June at Siena Heights University.

Fr. Jim Barnett, OP, with Sister Mary Soher, OP, director of the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference

Father Jim Barnett, OP, Province of St. Albert the Great, received the award in recognition of his passionate re-enactment of the Holy Preaching Community of Hispaniola through the reenactment of Antonio Montesinos and his fourth Sunday of Advent preaching. Father Jim also blesses the conference participants with the joy he bring as he presides at the Eucharistic Celebrations. As often as he can, Father Jim shares his presence throughout the six days of the conference, participating fully from morning prayer to night or midnight prayer.

Sister Mary Soher, OP (center) with Sister Linda Mary DeLonais, OP, and Patrick Spedale

Sister Linda Mary DeLonais, OP, Dominican Sister of Springfield, and Patrick Spedale, director of campus ministry, were recognized for their faithful dedication to the conference as coordinators of prayer.

Sister Linda Mary has ministered in Campus Ministry at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield, Illinois, since 2002. She offers her love of the Dominican charism and her creativity to assist student groups to pray well and joyfully together.

Patrick has served in mission with the Dominican Sisters of Houston in the Office of Campus Ministry since 1996; he shares his musical talents on both organ and piano as well as authentic love of the Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharist.

“To pray well, to keep the assembly focused and engaged, is not an easy task, but with expert guidance that stems from a deep love of God and the relationship that develops during prayer, Sister Linda Mary and Mr. Spedale have ensured that the conference participants pray well,” stated Sister Mary Soher, OP, current director of the conference. More than 100 students from 26 Dominican high schools across the country participated in the 2014 conference.

The Sister Pat Brady Award recognizes a member or members of the conference for extraordinary service and contributions in furthering the traditions and charism of the Dominican Order at the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference. The conference was started by Sister Pat Brady in 1999, who then directed the conference for the next 10 years. This award was created in honor of her commitment to sharing the Dominican Charism with high school students.

The 17th Annual Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference will take place June 26–July 1, 2015 at Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan. For more information, visit www.domlife.org/opteens.