Dominican Charism Initiative

Submitted by Gloria Marie Jones, OP

How do we pass on the Dominican charism at this crucial moment in our history?

How do we create new, relevant expressions of the Dominican charism to ensure its ongoing vitality through the formation of present and future generations of sisters and lay partners?

These questions have driven the work of the Dominican Charism Initiative this past year. Dominican sisters, friars, nuns, laity, associates and members of the Dominican Youth Movement from around the globe have contributed to making this initiative come to life.

This initiative will provide an online web-based learning platform for the Dominican Charism. It will offer the opportunity for all members of the Dominican family and lay partners to learn the foundational elements of Dominican life and mission. Through a variety of presentations and reflection questions, each of the eight different modules will offer instruction that will deepen your understanding of and excitement for being Dominican.

January 6, 2020

Dominican Sister of Adrian Patricia Erickson, OP, Spends Saturdays Treating People Seeking Asylum

December 31, 2019, Tijuana, Mexico – As a nurse practitioner, Sister Patricia Erickson, OP, sees special patients every Saturday: people seeking asylum in the United States, but staying in shelters in Tijuana, Mexico, while awaiting their asylum hearing. She is among many health care workers and other concerned individuals who volunteer their time with Refugee Health Alliance.

Saturdays find Sister Pat and other volunteers gathered at a coffee shop in a strip mall on the U.S. side of the border. Here, they organize themselves into two teams, making sure that each team has a group of medical providers, people to help set up and work in the clinics, and others who can serve as translators. Each group offers health care in three shelters that day – which can last from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or even later.

January 6, 2020

Dominican Sisters of Springfield: ‘Dominican Sisters Say Forgo Violent Rhetoric, Break Cycle of Violence with Iran’

Springfield, Ill.—Promoters of Justice for Dominican Sisters and Brothers nationwide call upon the U.S. Government to forgo “violent rhetoric and preparations for retaliatory attacks” against Iran. A statement released yesterday, on the Feast of Epiphany, says it is “critical that the circle of violence be broken and alternative and peaceful pathways to resolving the conflict be found.”

The January 3 assassination in Baghdad of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani by the US has destabilized US relationships with Iran and Iraq and led to the deployment of 3,000 additional US troops to the region.

Sister Marcelline Koch, who is the justice promoter for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield and the co-promoter of justice for Dominicans in North America, is a signatory to the statement, which will be sent to President Trump and other government officials.

January 6, 2020

Dominican Sisters of Amityville: St. John’s Hand-Written Bible Brings Back Good Memories

Recently, a copy of the Handwritten and hand-illustrated St. John’s Bible visited the Amityville Motherhouse and brought back memories of when one of our sisters saw it before it was sent off to print.

In 1998, Saint John’s Abbey and University in Minnesota commissioned renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson to produce a hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible. This work of art unites an ancient Benedictine tradition of art with the technology and vision of today, illuminating the Word of God for a new millennium.

On Tuesday, December 17, 2019, Molloy College in Rockville Centre, NY, brought two volumes of reproductions of the St. John’s Bible to the motherhouse. When open, the books are two feet tall by three feet wide!

January 6, 2020

Dominican Sisters of San Rafael “Win Permit Extension to House Homeless at Convent”

“The Dominican Sisters have secured a permit that allows the nuns to continue housing two homeless families in their San Rafael convent.” Proud to partner with Homeward Bound of Marin and meet this important need in our community. “We’re absolutely thrilled,” said Sr. Joan Hanna, who manages the program. “This space that was, in a sense, surplus for us is being utilized in such a wonderful way.” Read article in Marin Independent Journal