Photos of the Week

Nun Runs Blauvelt Dominicans, Rosaryville host events May 9 The Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt, New York, hosted their first Nun Run as part of their 125th anniversary celebration May 9. The same day, Rosarvyille Spirit Life Center (sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Peace), Ponchatoula, Louisiana, hosted its second annual Nun Run on the grounds of the retreat center. More photos from both events are available on Facebook (Blauvelt Facebook page | Rosaryville Facebook page) Above: Participants in the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt Nun Run pose for a group photo in front of the motherhouse. Above right: Cookies at the Rosarvyille Spirit Life Center Nun Run.

Sparkill Dominicans Students commissioned as preachers On Sunday, April 12, more than a dozen young adults from Albertus Magnus High School and St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) were commissioned as Young Dominican Preachers at a Mass in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill. This event was part of the Sparkill Dominican Sisters’ outreach to engage local communities with the congregation during the Year of Consecrated Life. Following the liturgy, the sisters welcomed the preachers and their families and friends for some refreshments and conversation. Read more

Sinsinawa Dominicans Art gallery hosts 10th annual Heritage Exhibit Sinsinawa Art Gallery, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, will host “Heritage Exhibit: Works from the Motherhouse Collection,” May 12–Aug. 4. This annual show once again features works by various sister artists of the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation, as well as other pieces old and new to the motherhouse collection. This variety includes a 1970s painting of the New Diggings, Wisconsin, church designed and built by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP, in 1847; a lively depiction of the sisters in Trinidad by local artist Trevor St. George; contemporary depictions of gospel scenes by Trinidad artist Jackie Hinkson; and a collection of late 19th- and early 20th-century oil paintings given to the congregation over the years. Read more Above: Trinidadian artist Trevor St. George created this portrait of the Trinidadian Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters playing the steel pan drums.

WeHaKee Camp for Girls
Summer camp opportunity for girls ages 7 to 17

Founded by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters more than 90 years ago, WeHaKee Camp for Girls was voted "One of the 50 Most Amazing Summer Camps in the United States." The camp, located on a historic logging camp site in Winter, Wisconsin, is named after Mary WeHaKee La Batte, a young girl raised by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. Learn more by visiting the camp's web site or Facebook page.

Obituary
Sister artist pioneered the color photomontage

Sister Adele Rowland, OP (San Rafael), died May 7 at the age of 99. Sister Adele was named Artist in Residence at Dominican College (Dominican University of California) in 1974. She studied photography with Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, and Jerry Uelsmann. She received national and international recognition for her work, and was the first recipient of the Fra Angelico Award from the Dominican Institute of the Arts. Read obituary | Read her biography and view some of her work on the DIA web site

We have family in Iraq
Sister testifies before House Committee

Sister Diana Momeka, OP (Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Iraq) testified today, May 13, in a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the ongoing displacement and persecution of Christians in Iraq. The hearing was titled “Ancient Communities Under Attack: ISIS’s War on Religious Minorities.” The full text of her statement is available on the committee’s web site. The video of the hearing is also available via C-SPAN.

Caldwell Dominicans
Sister Elizabeth Marie named volunteer of the year

On April 30, Sister Elizabeth Marie Mason, OP received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the New Jersey Activity Professional Association. Sister Elizabeth was nominated by Dominican Associate Kathryn Richards, OPA, director of activities at St. Catherine of Siena Health Care Center, Caldwell, New Jersey. Sister Elizabeth Marie, 90 years old, retired after teaching for 56 years in New Jersey. For the past three years, she has volunteered at St. Catherine’s. “Sister Liz’s energetic spirit, sense of humor and practical nature are qualities that have made it possible to develop and accomplish a variety of innovative programs at St. Catherine’s,” wrote Kathryn in her letter of recommendation. Read more

Sinsinawa Mound
Communal silent retreat: ‘What does God expect?’

Father Don Goergen, OP, and Sister Ann Willits, OP (Sinsinawa), will facilitate a communal silent retreat, “What Does God Expect?” at Sinsinawa Mound June 7–12. What God expects does not always match what we want. This retreat offers time to reflect on what God has to say to us. Perhaps the beginning question for all of us will be, “What does it mean to belong to God?” We will gather four times daily as a retreat community. There will be preaching by either Father Don or Sister Ann at the morning conferences and the Eucharist. We will meet for communal silent prayer and, in the evening conference, reflect together on what God has said to us. Registration deadline is May 29. Register online

Dominican Call to Justice
Justice promoters articulate vision, goals for 2015–2017

The North American Dominican Justice Promoters have announced their support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their intent to “address injustice in a spirit of respect, compassion and solidarity.” They also commit to “study, advocate, and act” in the areas of climate justice, economic justice, human trafficking, migration/immigration, and peace and security for all life. “As members of the world-wide Dominican Family, we advocate for justice through our ministries, through our preaching, through our presence at the United Nations, and through our corporate socially responsible investing. We collaborate with all who seek a more just and sustainable world.” View full document (PDF)

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