High School Preachers
Nearly 100 students participate in 13th annual conference

Where do Dominicans preach? Where don’t they preach! Ninety-eight participants of the 13th Annual Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference decided to keep the excitement and ignite their schools with their experience this past June. Twenty-two Dominican high schools gathered at Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan. Read article by Mary Soher, OP

Sister Patricia Brady Award
High school preachers honor Brother Joe Kilikevice, OP

The Sister Patricia Brady award for extraordinary service and contributions in furthering the traditions and charism of the Dominican Order was presented to Brother Joseph Kilikevice, OP, at the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference this past June. A donation on behalf of the participants of the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference is being made in Brother Joe’s name to the Shem Center in support of the wonderful ministry that is done as part of the interfaith dialogue response of the Order. Read more

Sisters in the News
Sister Gabriella advocates for migrant workers

Catholic News Service recently interviewed Sister Gabriella Williams, OP, whose work with migrant and immigrant workers in San Bernardino, California, earned her the 2011 Lumen Christi Award from the Catholic Extension. "We are all God's people, brothers and sisters. I support whoever I can because we are part of a big family, and all that we do must be centered on God. God is love, and I try to live this fact by my example," said Sister Gabriella in the interview. Read article in the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Catholic Review.

UN Briefing
U.S. needs to ratify Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty was first opened for signatures on Sept. 24, 1996. This treaty bans nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes. It also includes the creation of a global monitoring system that would detect any nuclear explosions, called the International Monitoring System (IMS)… Although this treaty has been signed by 182 countries and ratified by 155, it will not take force until several key countries ratify it, including the United States. Read article by Dominican volunteer Alexandra (Alex) Sajben.

Houston Dominicans
Sisters host Shop for Freedom event

“I Fight for Freedom” was the theme of “Human Trafficking Awareness Month” in Houston, Texas. During the month of September, the Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition sponsored a variety of events which included movie nights and workshops to raise awareness about human trafficking and ways the community can get involved in the movement to abolish “modern day slavery.” On Sept. 25, the Dominican Sisters of Houston provided the venue for the second annual, Shop Smart event, “I Shop for Freedom.”Read more

Sisters in the News
St. Francis Center featured in San Francisco Chronicle

Christina Heltsley, OP, a Sinsinawa Dominican Sister, is the executive director of the St. Francis Center near Redwood City, California. The center, which provides education, food donations and other services to poor families in the area, was referred to as a "bastion of hope" in a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle. Read article

In Memoriam
Elegy for a peacemaker: Sister Jacqueline Hudson

Jacqueline Hudson, OP was a prisoner of conscience and was incarcerated for her actions a number of times throughout her life. This is a personal reflection of a life well lived, filled with courage, passion and patience. Jackie lived so clearly out of her own conscience that there were times when her courageous actions defy logic. Read article by Sister Lucianne Siers, OP.

Photo of the Week

The Dominican Sisters Conference met Sept. 30–Oct. 1 in Springfield, Illinois. Look for more coverage of this meeting in the Oct. 19 DomLife update.

Previous updates:

The next Dominican Life | USA update will be published on Wednesday, October 19. Deadline for submission of articles/photos is Friday, October 14.