Palestine
Call to action by U.S. Dominican Coordinating Committee

In September, Palestinians are expected to request the United Nations to admit the State of Palestine, whose territory would comprise the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, as a full member of the United Nations. Please pray and take action to have this appeal for Palestinian UN recognition respected and supported by the leaders of our country. Read more

DVUSA
Fourteen new volunteers begin year of service

From Aug. 4–10, the 14 newest Dominican Volunteers traveled from all over the United States to Maryknoll, New York, for their orientation to the Dominican Family and a year of faith-based service. The week—which is always planned around the Feast of St. Dominic (Aug. 8)—included a mix of sessions, trips, and conversations. Read more

LCWR Assembly
Congregation leaders contemplate future at annual meeting

As Catholic sisters in the United States explore their future, approximately 650 leaders of their orders met in assembly where discussion of the mission of Catholic sisters in the face of the rapid and pervasive changes occurring in the world headed the agenda. These Catholic sisters, members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), gathered for their annual meeting Aug. 9–12, under the theme “Mystery Unfolding: Religious Life for the World.” Read more

UN Briefing
Time for action: 20th anniversary of Earth Summit

“The movement to turn the world from its self-consumptive course to one of renewal and sustenance has unmistakably spread… Though in the aftermath of Rio there is a heightened awareness of, and debate over the compelling need for action, there is not yet a concerted and decisive response to the magnitude and urgency of the task… There is much to be done.” These words were spoken 20 years ago, by Maurice F. Strong, the Secretary General of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit), held in June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. June of 2012 will mark the 20th anniversary of this summit, and plans are in process for the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development: Rio + 20. Read more

Dominican Sisters of the Roman Congregation
New leaders elected at general chapter in Caleruega

From July 18 to Aug. 10, 39 members of the Dominican Sisters of the Roman Congregation from 11 countries met in Caleruega, Spain for a general chapter. Attending from the United States were Jacqueline Provencher, OP (outgoing prioress general), Monique Belanger, OP (USA provincial prioress ), Frances Thibodeau, OP (USA delegate) and Therese Demers, OP (USA delegate). Being in such a holy place where Dominic was born, baptized and lived was a blessed experience for all. One of the tasks at hand was to elect a new general council. Read more

Sisters in the News
Dominican sister helps ‘green’ Kentucky town

Starting small and “making it fun,” Sister Claire McGowan, OP (Peace) has initiated some big changes by promoting environmental sustainability in her small town of Springfield, Kentucky. Her efforts have helped to make Washington County “Kentucky's Greenest Community.” Read story in National Catholic Reporter

Province of St. Joseph
Sixteen men make simple profession

On Aug. 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption, Fr. John Langlois, OP, received the simple profession of 16 men at the priory of St. Gertrude in Cincinnati, Ohio, marking the end of their novitiate year. These brothers have now been assigned to the Priory of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, where they will undertake studies in philosophy and theology. From Dominican Daily. Read more

Dominicans in the Americas
Update from 500th Anniversary Committee

In preparation for the 500th anniversary of Dominican presence in the Americas, a steering committee has been formed by Sister Toni Harris, OP, to commemorate this event. We invite the Dominican Family to find ways to celebrate this preaching presence beginning with the First Sunday of Advent Nov. 27 and throughout the year 2012. The committee has compiled an extensive list of opportunities and upcoming events. Read more

Faith and Film
También la lluvia (Even the Rain)

As we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first friars going to the New World in 2011, this film is a strong reminder of the powerful preaching of Antonio Montestinos and the relevance of it even today. “También la lluvia” (Even the Rain), was selected as the Spanish entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards. It really is a film within a film so cleverly done and worth watching. Read review by Prakash Anthony Lohale, OP.

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The next Dominican Life | USA update will be published on Wednesday, September 7. Deadline for submission of articles/photos is Friday, September 2.