Dominican Life 
USA
A web crossroads for the Order of Preachers
BECOMING DOMINIC — Set in Edinburgh, this documentary follows bronze sculptor Kenny Hunter as he makes a life-size statue of St. Dominic for a local priory of Dominican friars. As we follow the lives of the friars, we discover a parallel between priest and artist.
(featuring the now Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe)
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1023914092
The virtual screenings are available online NOW and for this week only (April 21-27)
https://riverrunfilm.com/events/becomingdominic/
When Nancy Brennan was asked through her parish to help support local undocumented migrants, she jumped at the opportunity. She had followed news about ICE being active in her county and was perturbed at the civil rights violations of human beings around her.
Nancy said that immigrants in her neighborhood are scared to let their children walk to school, or to show up to court for parking and traffic violations for fear of being deported. For one mother with a young child and baby on the way, her husband was already deported. And, in some cases, ICE is targeting legal U.S. citizens erroneously.
“How do we support people?” Nancy asks. She joined the coalition of churches, temples, libraries, schools, and organizations and is helping to spearhead “a support system” for undocumented migrants. This includes everything from providing shelter, legal counsel, care, and transportation to training on how to film and document ICE interactions.
Although this is a new ministry for Nancy, she says it’s “where [her] heart is.”
“I got involved because of God’s message of love,” Nancy said. “In the climate we live in, it’s always about if you’re not white and blue eyed and blonde haired, you’re nothing. I just have this feeling that people believe in Jesus but they don’t believe what he said, and I’m trying to live that.”
“It’s unfathomable to me,” Nancy continued. “We’re going to try to step in and save as many people as we can.”
he day is recognized nationally in the United States and Canada as the National Awareness Day for Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The day was inspired by the Red Dress Project, which began in Canada and has spread across the US. The day is dedicated to raising awareness and acknowledging the violence and injustice faced by Indigenous People, particularly the high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The day serves as a call to action to address the crisis and ensure justice and safety for Indigenous People.
The day honors the memory of Hanna Harris, a Northern Cheyenne tribal member who went missing and was later found murdered in 2013. Jean Glach, OP (Peace) shared Hanna’s story in the Fall 2024 issue of the Las Casas newsletter on pages 2 and 3 (domlife.org/lascasas – select the NEWSLETTER tab and then the Fall 2024 issue).
Hanna’s now 11-year-old son (10 months old when Hanna went missing) helps place the crown on the head of the Blessed Mother in preparation for the May 5 remembrance in 2024. The quilt features the red handprint, the symbol of the MMIW movement.
People often wear red clothing on the day or clothing with the image of a red hand print. A red handprint over the mouth has become the symbol of the movement. It stands for all the missing sisters whose voices are not heard. It stands for the silence of the media and law enforcement in the midst of this crisis.
This day is an opportunity to learn about the issue, support advocacy efforts, and take action to end violence and ensure justice for Indigenous communities. Organizations like Native Hope and the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) are working to raise awareness and advocate for the safety and justice of Indigenous communities.
President Biden proclaimed May 5, 2022, as Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day calling on all Americans and asking “all levels of government to support Tribal governments and Tribal communities’ efforts to increase awareness of the issue of missing or murdered Indigenous persons through appropriate programs and activities” and to “commit to working with tribal Nations and communities to achieve justice and healing.” The Indian Law Resource Center joins others across the United States in remembering Indigenous victims and their families. Read the full Presidential Proclamation at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/05/04/a-proclamation-on-missing-or-murdered-indigenous-persons-awareness-day-2022/.
Check out these websites for more information and consider wearing RED on May 5 to support the MMIP movement. Thanks to Jean Glach, OP (Peace) for sharing Hanna’s story and helping to educate the Dominican family as she ministers among the Northern Cheyenne in Lame Deer, Montana. Your generous support for Las Casas: Dominicans in Ministry with Native Americans, Inc. help support Jean and Dominicans who minister with Native/Indigenous People.
For further reading and resources:
Search: No More Stolen Sisters and The REDress Project | National Museum of the American Indian
“Together at the Table”, held on Friday, April 4 at Santa Clara University and co-sponsored by the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, offered the experience of “An international community inspiring synodal action in mission.” Sisters Pat Simpson, Joan Hanna, and Carla Kovack attended the all-day gathering of diverse individuals. The keynote speaker was Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops and the General Secretariat of the Synod on Synodality. The day began as the Cardinal requested that we call him “Mario”. The inclusion of all rooted in our baptism unfolded throughout the day. In the morning session, he was interviewed by Dean Orobator, who asked for some background on his journey, along with some comments as to where we are in the follow-up of the Synod.
Sr. Carla summed up some key points in Mario’s keynote address. “He reiterated the vision of Pope Francis: Synodality should be the normal way we are Church. It is not an event but a process. Our icon is Jesus. In the gospels, Jesus is never alone (except in times of prayer); he is always in the presence of others. We are together a listening church. We must come together—not the few but ALL the baptized, all the People of God. We are then sent out on a mission. Synodality is for the mission.
“There is resistance within the Church, within the clergy, and others who say that the Synod is a hostile takeover of the Catholic Church. How is this reaction not shocking? We are a broken chain trying to connect. We must remember that it is not the ordained who are the center but the Holy Spirit is the protagonist. Unless this process begins with the local church, the People of God, there is no future! Do not expect Rome to have the last word.”
Mario was responsible for guiding the Synod on Synodality throughout the world preparing for the General sessions in October 2023 and 2024. He is now overseeing the implementation process as the Church moves forward in becoming a Synodal Church.
Sr. Pat Simpson was moved by the whole experience. She shares, “Mario is a man of deep faith who truly understands synodality’s meaning. It is deep within his very being. It was an honor and a pleasure for me to attend this day of Synodality and to hear him speak from a heart that loves the Church and is not afraid to speak of his love and faithfulness. It was an honor to be in his presence. Seeing him on Zoom is one thing. But to be with him was a true gift.
We are grateful for the work of Cardinal Mario Grech and so many others as we try to bring people together, to listen, and to preach the good news of the Gospel—needed more than ever on our journey in this Jubilee Year of Hope.
Remembering Pope Francis: A Shepherd of Hope and Mercy
With hearts full of both sorrow and gratitude, we remember the life and legacy of Pope Francis. His passing, as we began celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, feels deeply symbolic. His life reflected that of the Good Shepherd—marked by compassionate, authentic leadership and an unwavering commitment to the Gospel.
Pope Francis embraced radical hospitality, reaching out especially to those on the margins. Through Laudato Si’, he reminded us of our sacred responsibility to care for creation. He called us to be a Synodal Church—one that listens deeply, includes all voices, and walks together. And most of all, he urged us to be “Pilgrims of Hope.”
His spirit and teachings continue to guide us. As we look ahead to Encuentro 2025, may we draw inspiration from the “Culture of Encuentro” he championed, and boldly live out our calling as Preachers of Hope for Times Such as These.
Amen. Alleluia!
USA
A web crossroads for the Order of Preachers
