Justice Promoters
Dominican statement on Gaza

We are deeply disturbed by Israel’s “Pillar of Defense” attacks on Gaza. We call for an immediate end of the air strikes and naval bombing into Gaza as well as for an end to the ongoing siege of Gaza. We also call for an end of the rocket attacks from Gaza aimed into communities in Israel, which will not bring peace and security to the area. Read more

Photo of the Week

Nuns Build 2012 Sisters, young adults work together in New Orleans During the week of Nov. 12–16, four Dominican Young Adults from around the country, as well as two sisters and one associate from Amityville, New York, traveled to New Orleans to participate in Nuns Build 2012. The build is sponsored by the St. Bernard Project, which is still very involved in rebuilding the homes of New Orleans residents who were displaced due to Hurricane Katrina. Read article by Gina Fleming, OP, and reflections by DYA participants Above from left: Jonathan Engstrom, DYA St. Catharine, Ky.; Sister Liz Stringer, OP (Amityville); Jonathan Torres, DYA Mount St. Mary’s College; Sister Gina Fleming, OP (Amityville); Andrew Vivian, DYA USA, Milwaukee, Wis.; Dr. Ginny Campbell, Dominican Associate (Amityville); Thomas Paris, DYA St. Catharine, Ky.

Dominican Volunteers
Former volunteer works to prevent homelessness in NYC

Karen Gargamelli, a former Dominican volunteer, was recently interviewed by Mercy Sister Camille D’Arienzo for the National Catholic Reporter. The article, titled “Former Dominican volunteer uses law degree to help low-income New Yorkers,” highlights Karen’s work as co-founder and co-director of Common Law, Inc., which offers free legal education and legal assistance to low-income New Yorkers. Read article

UN Briefing
Climate change is our responsibility, here and now

In the Nov. 25 edition of the Sunday New York Times, there was a startling image on the front page of the Sunday Review section: the Statue of Liberty submerged under water. The feature article, “Is This the End? Whether in 50 or 100 or 200 years, there is a good chance New York City will sink beneath the sea,” presents us with a scenario that was once reserved for science fiction. However, it has become abundantly clear that truth can be stranger than fiction—and right in our own times. Many of us on the East Coast are still reeling in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. What we watched on television in the safety of our living rooms during Katrina’s ravaging of New Orleans has become part of our story, too. And, really, it is now part of our collective story. In the words of a very wise person, “Climate change was predicted to arrive tomorrow, but it is happening today.” Read article by Sister Margaret Mayce, OP

Providence College
Iron Chef Dominican: Fr. Justin Brophy earns title

The friars at Providence College recently held their own Iron Chef competition, with Fr. Gabriel Pivarnik, OP, the director of the Center for Catholic and Dominican Studies, competing against Fr. Justin Brophy, OP, assistant chaplain. The event raised $700 to aid victims of Hurricane Sandy. The friars and their teams served 1,700 student meals in two hours and 30 minutes. Read story, watch video

Happy Holidays
Ideas for Dominican gift giving

The Dominican Family includes many talented visual, literary and culinary artisans. Why not consider giving a gift from the heart and hands of a Dominican this year? This is a great way to support Dominican ministries while you cross items off your holiday shopping list. Here are some links to get you started. We welcome other suggestions; please send to editor@domlife.org. Read more

Adrian Dominicans
Sisters welcome new associate Jacci Brown

Jacci Brown, master teacher and former Adrian Dominican Sister, was formally welcomed into Associate Life with the Adrian Dominican Sisters on Nov. 12 during a Ritual of Acceptance. After a year of being retired from active ministry, Jacci said she felt the need to be connected again to the kind of community she had experienced in parishes and schools. “It’s in community that we come to know ourselves and we know our God,” she said. Read more

Dominican Young Adults
Chicago group volunteers to help homeless

On Monday, Nov. 26, seven young adults from the DYA Chicago group entered into an experience not quite knowing what to expect. We knew we were being invited to do service by setting up an overnightshelter for the homeless of Oak Park, Illinois. The site was at the First United Methodist church, which sets up a temporary overnight shelter each night of the week for homeless through an organization called West Suburban Pads. Read article by Sean Mundy

Barry University
Community celebrates Founders’ Week Nov. 10–17

The Barry University (Miami Shores, Florida) community spent its annual Founders’ Week honoring its founders and deepening understanding of Barry’s mission and core commitments. Established in 2008, Founders’ Week commemorates Barry’s history, mission, Catholic identity, and Dominican heritage. The community remembers its founders: Mother Gerald Barry; Bishop Patrick Barry; Monsignor William Barry; John Thompson, the mayor of Miami Shores from 1943 to 1944; and the Adrian Dominican Sisters, who sponsor Barry. Read more

Faith and Film
Lincoln, Life of Pi

“Lincoln”: Perhaps the greatest challenge for Steven Spielberg in making Lincoln was casting the lead role. Who could portray such an iconic figure: brilliant, honest, compassionate, tragic Civil War president? Daniel Day-Lewis rises to the challenge. “Life of Pi”: I’m always glad to find movies with spiritual themes, so I was happy to hear about “Life of Pi,” the new film by Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, based on the 2001 novel by Yann Martel. Reviews by Tom Condon, OP.

Previous updates:

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