Pope prays for peace in Syria

UN Briefing
Syria: ‘The only certainty is uncertainty’

“As I sit here at my computer, I have just heard that the Syrian government has accepted a Russian proposal to put its chemical weapons under international control in an attempt to avoid a possible U.S. attack. While the details are unclear, it could prove to be a potentially positive step in the right direction. There is universal agreement that the chemical attacks perpetrated against innocent civilians on Aug. 21 were an egregious violation of international human rights and human decency. However, there is not universal agreement that the attacks were perpetrated by the Assad regime. The only certainty is uncertainty, and the resistance of people all over the world to military intervention on the part of the United States.” Read article by Margaret Mayce, OP, and Dominican Volunteer Abby McCrary

Adrian Dominicans
Sister Rosemary Abramovich to serve on General Council

Sister Rosemary Abramovich, OP, was formally called forth to serve on the General Council of the Adrian Dominican Sisters on Sept. 8 during the Sunday Mass at St. Catherine Chapel on the Motherhouse Campus. Sister Rosemary was elected by the General Council to complete the six-year term left vacant by Sister Julie Hyer, OP, who resigned for health reasons. Sister Rosemary is well-known to many of the sisters who reside and minister at the Adrian Dominican motherhouse. In 1995, she began her ministry at the Dominican Life Center, a residence that provides a continuum of care for retired sisters, and served as administrator from 1998 to 2010. Read more

Houston Dominicans
Sisters celebrate first profession of Kelly Biddle

Sister Kelly Biddle, OP made her first profession with the Dominican Sisters of Houston, Texas on Sept. 8. Read more

Ohio Dominican University
Sister Joan Franks named VP for mission and identity

Ohio Dominican University (ODU) has appointed Sister Joan Franks, OP, PhD, to be its vice president for Mission and Identity. She assumed her new role on July 1. Franks, a 1964 alumna of then-College of St. Mary of the Springs, oversees the university's efforts to maintain, enhance, and promote its Catholic and Dominican identity. She is a member of the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, the founding congregation of ODU. Read more

Dominican Nuns
Corpus Christi Monastery

“The term Body of Christ, Corpus Christi in Latin, applies especially to the Real Presence of Our Lord in the sacrament of the Eucharist. When the faithful come to pray before the Eucharist, you can see how that Body of Christ is adored within the Body of Christ, which is the Church. At Corpus Christi Monastery in the Bronx, this is a daily devotion of its cloistered Dominican nuns. The white-hot intensity of such a closeness and devotion to Jesus is evident in the history of this beautiful monastery and the holy sisters within it.” From Dominicana. Read article by Br. Pier Giorgio Dengler, OP

Adrian Dominicans
Justice promoters gather for annual meeting

The Adrian Dominican Justice Promoters gathered Aug. 19–20 at Weber Center for their annual meeting. The time together offered a chance to be in community with one another, review the efforts of the past year, and envision the undertakings of the coming year. The time together offered a chance to be in community with one another, review the efforts of the past year, and envision the undertakings of the coming year. The group also celebrated the years of service of Dominican Midwest Justice Promoter Sister Jean Hughes, OP, who is retiring. Read article by Christopher Matthias

San Rafael Dominicans
Sister Linda Gibler to lead retreat Nov. 14–17

A retreat, “Ark to Compassion: Mythic and Scientific Stories that Sustain Us,” will be led by Linda Gibler, OP (Houston) Nov. 14–17 at Santa Sabina Center in San Rafael, California. Drawing upon the 13.7 billion year story of elements that surround us, she will incorporate the wisdom of sacred traditions and invite participants to consider deeper intimacy with and commitment to the world around us. Sister Linda integrates philosophy, cosmology and consciousness in her work as a teacher, author and retreat leader. She is associate academic dean at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. To register, or for more information, visit www.santasabinacenter.org.

Faith and Film
Blue Jasmine, The Butler

“Blue Jasmine” is the latest movie from Woody Allen. Critics have compared it to Tennessee Williams’ classic “Streetcar Named Desire.” Like “Streetcar,” “Blue Jasmine” also tells the story of a woman who is forced to move in with her sister after an unfortunate turn of events… There’s been a tremendous amount of buzz about “The Butler,” the new movie chronicling the story of Cecil Gaines, White House butler to seven presidents from the 1950s-1980s. The buzz has centered on everything from media superstar Oprah Winfrey’s first movie role in years to the actors cast to play the presidents and first ladies. Read reviews by Tom Condon, OP

Previous updates:

The next Dominican Life | USA update will be published on Wednesday, September 25. Deadline for submission of articles/photos is Friday, September 20.