Mazzuchelli-Rectory-Blessing.8.2019

Fr. Armando P. Ibanez’s Maggie: Award-Winning Screenplay Sets Stage for 2025 Production

Screenplay Garners 7 Top Awards!

Hollywood International Indie Screenplay Awards awarded Maggie, a screenplay written by independent writer-producer-director and university professor, Armando P. Ibanez, Best First-Time Screenwriter Award (Short Screenplay). 

 Hollywood International Indie Screenplay Awards is a screenplay competition that presents the best screenwriters in the world, according to the festival’s posting on FilmFreeway. 

 “We are honored and excited,” said Ibanez, adding that Pluma Pictures, Inc. a non-profit film production company, which he serves as president, is producing the film. 

 “We’ve undertaken a fundraising campaign to pay for the production of Maggie,” said Ibanez, who teaches film production at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and is a Dominican friar of the Southern Dominican Province. 

 Since Pluma Pictures is a 501(c) film production company, donations are tax deductible, he said. 

 Maggie has won six other accolades. They are: 

  • Quarterfinalist, New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition & Film Awards, 2023.
  • Quarterfinalist, Portland Screenplay Awards, 2023.  
  • Finalist, Southern California Screenplay Competition, 2022; 
  • Quarterfinalist, Filmmatic Short Screenplay Awards Season 7, 2022.
  • Quarterfinalist, Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards, 2022-23.
  • Honorable Mention, Docs Without Borders International Film Festival 2023. 

 

“We are blown away by these incredible honors,” said Ibanez, adding that Maggie is scheduled to go into production in 2025.

 Donations may be made via Paypal https://www.paypal.com/ to pluma@earthlink.net.  A letter and/or email recognizing the contribution will be sent to the donor for their tax records.   

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The Dominican Learning Center Celebrates 30 Years of Instructing and Serving. Bishop Fernandes thanks the Dominican Sisters of Peace Ministry for helping others create a better life.

Columbus, OH – The Dominican Learning Center (DLC), an adult education ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, is in its 30th year of helping adults learn English as a Second Language (ESL), providing educational help to obtain high school equivalency diplomas (GED), assisting with citizenship procedures, and offering adult basic education classes.

A celebration of the DLC’s 30th Anniversary was held recently at its new location adjacent to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in German Village. Learners, tutors, staff, and supporters including the Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes participated in the dedication ceremony. 

Bishop Fernandes offered his gratitude to the Dominican Sisters of Peace and the Dominican Learning Center for serving adult learners in Columbus. He said that the whole narrative of the Dominican Learning Center is about giving the adult learners hope and the possibility of a brighter future. 

The Bishop has a unique relationship to those who utilize the DLC. His parents were immigrants, and he said that even though they were well-educated, he knows they encountered prejudice and difficulties. St. Mary’s Pastor, and first generation Vietnamese Catholic American, Father Vince Nguyen added that St. Mary’s welcomes the DLC with open arms. He said he feels blessed to be able to collaborate with the Dominican Sisters of Peace and aid in continuing their ministry and mission. 

The DLC currently serves more than six hundred learners. Some receive help at the German Village location, while other learners study at local libraries or at central Ohio Catholic parishes. The DLC operates satellite ESL classes at eight parishes around the Diocese, including St. Peter, St. James the Less, St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Mary Magdalene, Bishop Ready, St. Cecilia, Christ the King, and St. Matthias.

Another Columbus Diocesan Church Pastor has said he appreciates what the DLC offers to those in his parish. “The Center is a force for good and we are very glad to partner with the Dominican Sisters of Peace and this ministry. We know our parishioners are making use of the services that this turnkey, accessible ministry provides,” says Fr. David Schalk, St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

Those who have successfully improved their English or received their GED can attest to an improved quality of life. “Mary” says she does not doubt herself or her abilities anymore after getting the help she needed to receive her GED. Another learner, “Silvia” says she was afraid at first when taking ESL courses, but to her surprise, she has been able to increase her knowledge and has realized it is OK to ask questions when she needs to do so. This year, the Dominican Learning Center has helped at least four people prepare for and complete citizenship tests.

DLC Director Denise Hilliard adds, “We have had many success stories here. Our aim is to help people make their lives better, and when that happens, peace in our neighborhoods can grow. It is the Dominican way, and we are proud to follow this path. We are glad for our partnerships with the Diocese, Catholic parishes, with donors, our volunteers, and learners and all who want to walk with us on this journey. We celebrate all these key groups during the 30th year at the DLC.”

Bishop Fernandes added an additional note of thanks to the Dominican Sisters and the DLC staff on behalf of the people of Columbus and the new immigrants living here, saying he knows they too are grateful for their presence. 

The Dominican Learning Center was founded with a vision to empower adults to accessible, life-changing education. The belief remains that all people, no matter their age, background or life circumstances deserve the chance to learn, grow and reach their fullest potential.

CALDWELL YOUNG ADULTS MEET

The Caldwell Young Adults gathered in December for their monthly meeting, starting the evening with social time over a light supper. They came together for prayer and watched the first week of Advent Reflections with Bishop Cozzens, reflecting on the theme of hope. To spread Christmas cheer, the group wrote personal notes on Christmas cards for the residents of St. Catherine’s Healthcare and Convent.

As a parting Christmas gift, each young adult received a packet containing Dominican Saints holy cards and a booklet titled Preachers of the Word, which highlights the history, sponsored works, and corporate stances of the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell. The group looks forward to their next gathering in January.

Dr.-Ginger-Grancagnolo-OPA

Associate Spotlight – Ginger Grancagnolo, Ed.D., D.Min.

Ginger Grancagnolo, a Caldwell Dominican associate for over twenty years, is a dynamic lecturer, author and private counselor. Forty-five years of experience in the field of education, psychology and theology has directed her in creating a sound practical approach in helping others towards healing and self-awareness. Even her own personal victory over dyslexia has provided her with a wealth of grassroots knowledge in creating constructive strategies that unlock a human and divine power that awaits within all of us.

Dr. Ginger has lectured throughout the country and has been on numerous radio and TV shows. Dr. Ginger has created many CD workshops and is the author of Where Are You Lord?; Learning How to Get Through It; How to Find Joy in a Crazy, Upside Down World; Insights, Secrets and Private Prayers; Who Would I Be If I Wasn’t So Afraid?; The Father Principle; The Mother Principle; Poems as Prayers; and Direct Yourself. The driving force in all of Ginger’s work is to release the fear that blocks and halts our ability to succeed. 

Ginger has stated that this drive to overcome our fears through a constant commitment to faith began when she was a student at Mount Saint Dominic Academy in Caldwell. She recalls always being encouraged to succeed even though she had learning disabilities. The seed of the Dominican charism was firmly planted in her early years which made a natural flow of events leading to her becoming an associate. Dr. Ginger uses her experience in Dominican principles in her work and daily activities. Dr. Ginger’s approach remains consistent in faith and the ability to be lighthearted. The core of Dr. Ginger is best stated in her own words, “God gave us power, big power! We need to use it! Then everyday deeds will make miracles!”

Farewell Address Reflections and Gratitude: Five Transformative Years at the United Nations From  UN NGO Representative Dusty Farnan, OP

2019 – 2024 have been impactful years for me as the UN NGO Representative for the Dominican Leadership Conference. I’m in awe that my ministry of Justice and Peace has brought me to the United Nations in New York City.

It has been a time of deep learning and increased collaboration with other NGO’s here in New York as well as interaction with Dominican Sisters across the globe. Through the help of the Dominican Sisters International Confederation Coordinators and the International Dominican Justice Promoters I was able to reach out far into the Dominican World.  They assisted with the Dominican Webinars that we put together over the years as well as helped me to search out speakers.

One of the benefits of COVID 19 was zoom.  Zoom enabled us at the UN to be in collaboration with Indigenous in Ecuador and other Amazon areas. It also assisted us in locating Dominicans and inviting them to participate in various consultations on subjects such as migration, refugees, human trafficking, victims of violence and poverty. I could never have done this work with so many Dominicans without zoom.

As the UN NGO becomes part of the Dominican Sisters International Confederation in Rome in 2025 I say thank you for all the incredible support you have given me over these five years.  

I have a new email.  Please contact me with ideas and suggestions for topics that we ought to explore at the UN. My email is dsic.ngo@curia.op.org

I so look forward to continuing our work together to promote justice, peace and truth as we move into 2025.  May the Spirit of Christmas bless each of us with generous hearts and ongoing commitment to the Dominican Charism and to one another around the world. 

 Merry Christmas and Blessings for a fruitful and hope filled future.

 

Sister Dusty Farnan, OP
UN Ngo Dominican Leadership Conference
December 2024

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