Dominican Life 
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A web crossroads for the Order of Preachers
The Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, Justice, Illinois, celebrated the first professions of Sisters Maria Rosaria Freeland and Maria Vianney Kysely on April 29. The Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids, Michigan, celebrated the first profession of Sister Chela Gonzalez on April 28. Flor de Maria Buruca, OP, also made her final profession of vows with the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, New York.
What do a sewing and craft co-op, a leadership training program for Latina women, an outreach program for formerly incarcerated women, and a shelter in New Orleans have in common? They are all women’s initiatives that have received grants from Mary’s Pence, a non-profit, grassroots organization that funds women’s ministries in North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Founded by Adrian Dominican Sister Maureen Gallagher, OP, Mary’s Pence celebrated its 25th anniversary in April. Read more
Sinsinawa Dominicans
The sixth annual Heritage Art Exhibit at Sinsinawa Mound will be on display in the Sinsinawa Art Gallery June 2–Aug. 8. “To Praise, To Bless, To Preach,” a motto of the Dominican Order of Preachers, describes the works in this show. Hand-colored, linoleum block prints and woodcuts of Sister Chiara Pauloni, OP (1922–2011), and the pottery of Sister Toni Callahan, OP (Vincent Mary, 1923–2012), will be featured. In addition, diverse works from other Dominican Sister artists will be included.
The art gallery is open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. For information about the gallery show, contact Sister Priscilla Wood at (608) 748-4411, ext. 473. More art, gifts, and books can be found inside the Sinsinawa Book & Gift Gallery, open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, contact Michelle Till at (608) 748-4411, ext. 849, or visit www.sinsinawa.org. Sinsinawa Mound, the motherhouse for the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, is located in southwest Wisconsin on County Road Z, off Highway 11, about five miles northeast of Dubuque, Iowa.
In just four weeks, the heads of state and government of more than 120 nations will converge on Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development. The expectations of this conference are very much linked to the unfulfilled commitments made at the first conference, more commonly referred to as the Earth Summit. The paradigm shift from unsustainable economic growth models of consumption and production, to a more sustainable development model providing for the needs of people while respecting Earth’s limited resource base, was a commitment at the highest political level in 1992. However, 20 years later, the world is in a far more precarious position, with more people living in abject poverty and the health of the planet severely compromised. Read more
On April 26 in the East Tremont section of the Bronx, New York, sisters, politicians and friends gathered to celebrate the dedication of The Lenniger Residences, named in honor of Sister Barbara Lenniger, OP (Sparkill). The building provides 92 units of affordable housing for formerly homeless and low-income individuals and families.
Sister Barbara served as executive director of Thorpe Family Residences, Inc. and Park Avenue Thorpe, a sponsored ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill. Thorpe Family Residence provides a safe and peaceful transitional environment for mothers and their children. Park Avenue Thorpe provides permanent housing for families in need of long-term support.
Those who attended the event took tours of the building, enjoyed a breakfast buffet, and listened to remarks from Center of Urban Community Services representative and dignitaries. Tom Hannigan, executive director of CUCS, presented Sister Barbara with a plaque and thanked her for all that she has done to help the homeless in the Bronx.
USA
A web crossroads for the Order of Preachers
