Faith and Film: Far from the Madding Crowd

Adapted from the 1870 Thomas Hardy novel, “Far from the Madding Crowd” is the story of Bathsheba Everdene, an independent Victorian-era woman pursued by three suitors. First, there is Gabriel Oak, a farmer and shepherd. Gabriel proposes to Bathsheba early in the film. Bathsheba likes Gabriel, but does not love him, and says she is too independent to marry him.

Soon afterward, Bathsheba inherits an estate owned by her uncle. She moves to take charge of the estate. Bathsheba surprises most of the workers and her neighbors when she announces that she plans to manage the estate herself. Gabriel turns up at the estate and she immediately hires him. Bathsheba also meets William Boldwood, the owner of a neighboring estate. William takes a liking to Bathsheba, and is soon asking for her hand in marriage.

In the meantime, Francis Troy, a soldier, is preparing for marriage. He arrives at the church, but his fiancée does not show up. Mistakenly, she has gone to the wrong church! Thinking that his fiancée has jilted him, Francis wanders aimlessly throughout the region. He comes across Bathsheba’s farm. Bathsheba finds Francis to be dashing and handsome in his uniform, and falls for him.
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June 17, 2015

Sister’s story inspired “Orange is the New Black” character

Global Sisters Report

Sister Ardeth Platte, OP (Grand Rapids) is mentioned briefly in Piper Kerman’s memoir “Orange is the New Black.” Kerman and Platte did yoga together when they were serving prison sentences at a federal correction facility in Danbury, Connecticut. But the character inspired by Sister Ardeth’s story, Sister Jane Ingalls (played by Beth Fowler) has a larger role in the television series based on Kerman’s book. Jamie Manson of Global Sisters Report interviewed both Sister Ardeth and Beth Fowler for a recent article. Read more

June 17, 2015

News from the Eco-Justice Center

Racine Dominicans

The Racine Dominicans’ Eco-Justice Center recently received a full-color, four-page spread in Country Woman magazine. The article, titled “Faith in Farming,” was featured in the April/May issue. Read article The Eco-Justice Center also recently named Racine native Allison Thielen as its new executive director. Sister Janet Weyker will continue to live and volunteer at the center.

June 17, 2015

CHA awards highest honor to Sister Peggy Martin

Dominican Sister of Peace Peggy Martin, OP (Peace), received the prestigious Sister Concilia Moran Award at the annual assembly of the Catholic Health Association in Washington, D.C. June 7–9. The award is CHA’s highest honor. Sister Peggy is the senior vice president, Sponsorship and Governance, for Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives. “She is truly a visionary leader and trail blazer,” said Sister Gemma Doll, OP, councilor for the Dominican Sisters of Peace. “With her colleagues at CHI, she has helped facilitate new concepts, structures and solutions that take Catholic health care in new directions.” Read more

June 17, 2015

Sister Carol Coston delivers commencement address

Adrian Dominicans

Sister Carol Coston, OP (Adrian), spoke to the graduates of the University of Great Falls, Montana, about her work in permaculture and received the university’s Uncommon Courage Award during commencement exercises in May. She was recognized for her work in the environment, as well as in other social justice causes. “Sister Coston has spent her life’s work on the betterment of others,” the university noted in a press release announcing her selection as commencement speaker. “Her most recent focus has been on protecting the environment through an ethic of living lightly on Earth.” Sister Carol is also the founding director of NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby based in Washington, D.C., and founding director of Partners for the Common Good, an alternative investment fund for community organizations. Read more