Dominican Sisters of San Rafael: ‘Memorial Mass for Homicide Victims’

January 14, 2020 – Sisters and community members gathered in Lourdes Chapel this morning for the Archdiocese of San Francisco‘s Annual Memorial Mass honoring victims of homicide. Hosting the first of four Masses to be held through the Archdiocese this week, the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael welcomed Julio Escobar, Director of the Archdiocese’s Office of Restorative Justice Ministry and his associate, Melissa Vlach, to provide context and background for the importance of remembering. Thank you to our own Fr. Bob Haberman for presiding at this special Mass and to Sr. Patty Riley, OP who worked with the Archdiocese to organize the event, and thank you to all who joined us in prayer. Keep the prayers coming!

February 2, 2020

‘Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Celebrate Three Kings’ Day and Remember Migrant Families’

“As part of their One to One Learning ministry, which provides supportive services to Latino, Haitian and other immigrants in Rockland County, the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill celebrated Three Kings’ Day (“Día de los Reyes Magos”) on January 6. In doing so, they joined millions of Hispanic families across the world who mark the Feast of the Epiphany […]” Read article

January 6, 2020

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.