Photos of the Week

National Catholic Sisters Week Celebrating the contributions of Catholic sisters National Catholic Sisters Week is a annual celebration of the lives and legacies of Catholic sisters that takes place in March in conjunction with National Women’s History Month. This year’s event is March 8–14. Dominican sisters are marking the occasion in many ways, including open houses at convents and postings of stories and videos. The Sinsinawa Dominicans created this video, capturing expressions of gratitude from those whose lives have been touched by the sisters. The Adrian Dominicans are hosting public events this week at Dominican Life Center. The Racine Dominicans are compiling “Sister Stories” on their web site. Two Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters were featured in a radio interview. For more information about National Catholic Sisters Week, visit www.nationalcatholicsistersweek.org.

San Rafael Dominicans Sister Colleen makes final profession of vows On March 8, International Women’s Day and the first day of National Catholic Sisters Week, in the Year of Consecrated Life, the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael rejoiced as Sister Colleen McDermott made her final profession of vows. Read more Above from left: Sister Maureen McInerney, prioress general of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, with Sister Colleen McDermott

Caldwell University ‘Orange is the New Black’ star returns for lecture series On March 11, Caldwell University welcomed back alumna Beth Fowler, class of 1962, for its Veritas Lecture Series. Fowler stars as Sister Ingalls on the Netflix original series “Orange is the New Black” and is also a Broadway veteran. The Veritas Lecture Series offers the Caldwell University community an opportunity to engage with Veritas Awardees, which include some of the university’s most distinguished alumni. The Veritas Awards were established in honor of the Sisters of St. Dominic who founded and administer Caldwell University. Above from left: Sister Kathleen Tuite, OP, vice president of student life at Caldwell University; Beth Fowler, and Dr. Nancy Blattner, PhD, OPA, president of Caldwell University, at the event.

Peace Dominicans Associates renew commitments at Florida gathering “I often wonder what Dominic and Catherine think of the associates’ presence with the sisters today,” writes Peace Dominican Associate Conni Dubick, OPA, in a recent article. “Could they have imagined that their call to preaching centuries ago has resulted in inspirational lives chosen by over 600 Dominican Associates of Peace?” Read more Above: Conni Dubick, OPA, and Sister Amy McFrederick, OP attend a recent gathering of Peace Dominican Associates in Florida.

Eco-Justice
Lenten Fast for Climate Justice is March 16

The Eco-Justice Committee of the Dominican Sisters Alliance invites the members of the Dominican Sisters Conference and all other interested persons to participate in a Lenten Fast for Climate Justice in the United States on Monday, March 16. Organized and promoted by the Catholic Climate Movement, this event is a global interfaith effort. To date, 50 countries have agreed to fast on one of the 40 days of Lent. Participants are invited “to fast from food (during a whole day or at least one meal) and/or from activities that produce carbon dioxide (reducing use of fossil fuels, electricity, plastic, paper and toxins).” For more information, visit the Catholic Climate Movement web site.

UN Commission on the Status of Women
Dominican sisters gather in New York to attend UN event

The 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women is taking place March 9–20 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The main focus of the session will be on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, including current challenges that affect its implementation and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women. Sister Margaret Mayce, OP (Amityville), DLC UN-NGO representative, is attending, along with eight other sisters representing Dominican Sisters International (DSI): Emmanuela Okafor (Nigeria), Maureen O’Connell (Australia), Marjolein Bruinen (Netherlands), Sandra Ede (Brazil), Bernadine Karge (Chicago, Illinois, United States); Marie Therese Clement, DSI Coordinator based in Rome, Italy; Celestina Veloso Freitas, DSI justice promoter; and Patricia Farrell (Chicago), executive director of the Dominican Sisters’ Conference.

Maryknoll Mission Institute
Sister Laurie Brink presents biblical theology workshop

Sister Laurie Brink, OP (Sinsinawa) will be a presenter at the Maryknoll Mission Institute June 14–19 in Ossining, New York. Her topic, “No Longer Servants: Toward a Biblical Theology of Friendship,” makes two extraordinary claims: that our life’s ultimate goal is friendship with God and that the Scriptures provide the road map. This program engages a dynamic process that integrates personal experience with biblical study in order to trace the emerging theology of friendship in the Scriptures. Sister Laurie is associate professor of New Testament Studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois. More info

Dominican Sisters’ Conference
Convocation registration, ‘Paris 2015 and Counting’

The Dominican Sisters’ Conference is counting down to the 2015 Climate Summit in Paris, France. The DSC’s Paris 2015 Sub-Committee encourages sisters and others to participate in the “Paris 2015 and Counting” initiative to help raise awareness of justice issues impacted by climate change. More information and resources, including study guides, action items, and prayer service materials, are available online. The DSC is also planning for its second convocation Oct. 1–4 in Wheeling, Illinois. Registration materials for attendees and market place vendors are available on the DSC web site.

800th Anniversary of Dominican Order
Brochures on Dominican values, foundations, charism

The Sinsinawa Dominicans are honoring the 800th anniversary of the Dominican Order in 2016 by making available brochures that describe Dominican values, foundations, and charisms as well as ways to practice Dominic’s way. Each set of brochures offers in-depth information about the practices of the Dominican Order. The brochures were written and edited by Sister Ruth Poochigian, OP, with support from Sister Barbara Dannhausen, OP. The Sinsinawa Dominicans are happy to share this resource with the Dominican Family and those who want to learn more about the Dominican Order. View brochures

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