'Just reflecting': Moving from hatred to forgiveness

Peace

Dominican Sisters of Peace Associate Bob Hessman’s daughter, Mel, was murdered in 1989, leaving behind a husband and three small children. Mel’s sister Jude Hessman, an associate candidate, says it took her eight years to forgive Gregg Braun, the man who was convicted of the murder and eventually executed. Gregg was a former elementary student at St. Dominic’s School in Garden City, Kansas. In this reflection, Sister Jolene Geier, OP (Peace) and Bob write about the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, as well as the need for prison reform in the United States. Read article

October 8, 2014

Congregation welcomes new associates

Above from left: Mary Lanni, OPA; Kathleen McFarlane, OPA; Sister Kathleen Tuite, OP; Kaitlyn McFarlane, OPA; Sister de Montfort Kinchellagh, OP; Ann Marie McCabe, OPA; Sister Elise Redmerski, OP; Gladys Haynes, OPA; Sister Barbara Moore, OP; Laura Entwistle, OPA.

In September, the Caldwell Dominicans welcomed five new associates in a moving reception held in the Motherhouse Chapel. Laura Entwistle, Gladys Haynes, Ann Marie McCabe, Kaitlyn McFarlane and Kathleen McFarlane each committed herself to be witness to the Lord’s Gospel in the charism of Dominic and Catherine. The Caldwell Dominican Community also had the opportunity to thank Mary Lanni for her many years of service as director of its Dominican Associates Program. Sisters and associates gave a warm welcome to Vilma Mueller, the program’s new director, as well.

August 27, 2014

Helping to rebuild homes, lives in the Rockaways

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Dominican Family Build

By Gina Fleming, OP (Amityville)

During the week of August 17–21, 20 sisters, associates and young people from Amityville, Blauvelt, Sparkill, and Sinsinawa participated in the first Dominican Family Build. We all came together to help the people in the Rockaways, Long Island, New York, try to rebuild their homes and their lives.

op_family_build3 We worked at three different sites during the week two in Brooklyn, and one in Far Rockaway. We hung dry wall, mudded, and did a lot of sanding. It was hard work but thankfully the weather, which wasn’t too warm, cooperated and all was done in a great spirit of collaboration and fun!

The spirit of family was very evident, as we worked together during the day and then went back to the places where we were staying to share a meal and gather for prayer and reflection on our days. Sister Pat Hogan, OP (Sparkill) brought along a great group from her parish as well as other sisters. The associates, young people, and other friends from Amityville were also there to lend a hand in the project. Sister Maryellen O’Grady, OP (Amityville), director of Dominican Sisters in Committed Collaboration (OPSCC) also joined us.

Many thanks go to those who put us up for the week and those who provided meals for us after a hard day’s work. Thanks so much for the great food! To all those who donated financially to assist us in this build, our sincere thanks to you too! Hope to see you all next year.

May 7, 2014

Photos of the Week – Congregations celebrate new and renewing associates

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Dominican Associates

On Sunday, April 27, during Easter Vespers, the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, New York, welcomed three new associates: Elizabeth Keihm, Carmela Lubrano and Frances Notter. The following associates renewed their commitments: Mary Calandrino, Marie Gilmore, Charlotte McWeeney, Nicole Memnon, and Lorraine Schneider (five years); Adelaide Burnett, Nora Hartley, Rita Hynes, and Marie Positano (20 years); Anne Burke (25 years), and Cathleen Quinn (30 years). View video

Six women were formally welcomed into Associate Life with the Adrian Dominican Sisters during the Ritual of Acceptance, held April 27, in St. Catherine Chapel at the motherhouse in Adrian, Michigan. Read more, view photos

On Sunday, May 4, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois welcomed 21 new Dominican Associates—women and men who have made a personal commitment to accompany the Dominican Sisters of Springfield on a life-long journey of prayer, study and preaching. More than 300 other Springfield Dominican Associates in the United States and Peru share the Dominican spirit and mission of preaching the Word and witnessing Gospel values. Read more, view photo

January 8, 2014

Dominican Associate Directors Associates, sisters meet in Sinsinawa

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Fifteen Dominican associates and sisters from 11 congregations from the Dominican Sisters’ Conference met in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, in November. The gathering was led by Sinsinawa Associate Director Jill Poehlman and Mary Rathert, OP. Issues discussed were the sharing of formation materials and resources, including new uses of media in educating associates and attracting younger members; how commitment ceremonies are conducted, and researching possibilities for creating a communication tool for all associates on the Internet.