Sister Jeanne Harris, OP (Mission San Jose), communications specialist with Wordnet Productions, announces the completion of two new DVDs promoting consecrated life.

“Parenting Vocation” (40 minutes) presents a JS Paluch panel of parents of religious priests, brothers, and sisters explaining their journey supporting their son or daughter (including Dominican women and men). View trailer

“Called to Love,” the first sequel to “Jesus Calls Women,” presents consecrated celibacy by Sandra Schneiders, IHM (78 minutes), and a variety of women’s congregations, including Springfield and Sinsinawa Dominicans (63 minutes). View trailer

“Jesus Calls Women,” a 30-minute video in English and Spanish produced in 2009, which is used extensively by dioceses and congregations across the country, presents a brief survey of consecrated life as told by women religious including Mission San Jose Dominicans. View trailer

All have comprehensive discussion guides.

For more information about Wordnet Productions and to order DVDs, visit their web site.

Sister Pat Chaffee, OP, participated in the Code Pink peace delegation to Pakistan Oct. 3–11 to protest drone warfare. The delegation’s 500-vehicle convoy wound through mountains from Islamabad to a village near Waziristan; 100,000 Pakistani civilians joined them in a rally. Read Sister Pat’s personal account of her experience on the Racine Dominicans’ web site. The October issue of JustWord, published by the Grand Rapids Dominicans, also features an article questioning the legality of drone missile use.

As the United States approaches the 2012 presidential and congressional elections, Maryknoll missioners recognize that people around the world are interconnected as never before. While Maryknoll is based in the U.S., Maryknoll Sisters, Fathers, Brothers and Lay Missioners work in over 30 countries, in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Guided by Gospel values and the Social Teachings of the Church, we encourage candidates to address the central issues that affect not only people who reside in this country but also the billions of sisters and brothers with whom we share this Earth. Read more

The Eco-justice Committee of the Dominican Alliance met at the Bridge-Between Retreat Center in Denmark, Wisconsin to begin the groundwork for designing their next program for presentations at motherhouses across the Midwest and beyond. The next program will be the fifth in a series of events to inform and engage sisters and others about the interdependence of all life, and the justice issues of living together on the planet in a sustainable manner.

The fifth program will include contemplative prayer and will focus on helping participants experience creation in a way that leads to conversion of hearts and minds. It will seek to help people make connections between their home bioregion and that of others—respecting and protecting the great diversity that is our Creator’s gift to us. Caroline Sullivan, OP, director of the Bridge-Between, offered directing questions and reflected her insights back to the group.

During the business part of the time together, the members reflected on the call of the Dominican Sisters Conference at the convocation in Wheeling, Illinois, in early October, and how the Eco-Justice Committee might assist in the education and engagement of Dominicans everywhere on the issue of climate change and interdependence.

This retreat was made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Dominican Alliance Leadership.

Article and photo submitted by Mary Navarre, OP (Grand Rapids)