Photo of the Week

September 28, 2021

Jubilee Celebration for the Archdiocese at Saint Pius Catholic Church Redwood City

On Sunday, September 19, 2021, several Dominican Sisters of San Rafael joined other women religious for the Jubilee Celebration for the Archdiocese at Saint Pius Catholic Church Redwood City for a special Mass with Archbishop Cordileone presiding.

Sr. Patricia Bruno, a long-time friend of Sister Rosina Conrotto, PBVM, Director of the Office for Consecrated Life for the Archdiocese of San Francisco and organizer of the special Mass, was honored to be invited to preach. Sr. Patricia said, “the preaching is really advocation preaching and a chance to acknowledge the important work on Sr. Rosina in the diocese. It’s celebrating God‘s work in our lives and also an invitation to pray about your own vocation.”

It was a special celebration and time together. Here is the text of Sr. Patricia’s remarks. A link to the video can be found below.

“I appreciate being asked to preach today especially because I have not lived in the San Francisco Diocese for a long time. However, I was born at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in the city, baptized at Saint Vincent de Paul Church, and raised in San Anselmo Parish in Marin, but one of my strongest connections with the diocese throughout all my years as a religious is with Sister Rosina who is the Vicar for the women and men religious in the diocese. She is also the one who worked with our Archbishop, Laura, and many others to organize today’s celebration. Rosina and I go back over 60 years to San Jose State College where we were both discerning our vocations. Who could have imagined that 60 years later we would still be good friends and co-ministers in the same diocese!

Now I live in San Rafael right next to Dominican University. The other day I overheard two students as they were leaving our athletic complex say, I can’t believe it. I’m so out of shape. I could hardly lift those fifteen pounds weights. Her friend responded. Be careful. Remember to lift from your core otherwise, you are going to ruin your back.

Well, no matter what age we are we have heard those words. “Lift from your core.” That’s the same advice we hear in the Letter of James, the second reading at Mass. James reminds us to lift from our core. He’s not talking about weights or moving heavy boxes he’s talking about our Christian life and where our spiritual strength comes from. At the center of our being, James says, is Holy Wisdom who guides, directs and helps us make wise choices. We know that Wisdom in scripture is another name for God. So, James reminds us that God, Holy Wisdom lives at the center of being and directs our spirits.

Today we are remembering the commitment that we women and men religious made many years ago and we’re celebrating God’s faithfulness: God who continues to nourish us through our community lives, ministries and prayer life. We celebrate Holy Wisdom who in the past -now – and in the future will continue to direct our choices and decisions.

But James is not just talking to us professed religious. He is speaking to each of us here: faithful women and men, young adults, children, and family members reminding you -encouraging you- to lift from your core. Draw from the strength of Holy Wisdom who lives within each of you guiding your daily choices and your long-range decisions.

Now, here comes the commercial.

For those of you who are still thinking about life choices, ask Holy Wisdom to enlighten you with her wisdom and direct your life choices. Listen carefully to the Wise One who dwells within the center of your being and perhaps- perhaps – because of this mass and celebration today Holy Wisdom might nudge your conscience or deepen your curiosity about the possibility of you becoming a sister or a religious brother or a priest. That’s how Holy Wisdom works. We pray. Listen quietly for guidance. We meet someone whom we like and ask significant questions about their life and lifestyle. We talk to family and friends and slowly something begins to change. Something opens up for us and we hear Holy Wisdom saying, “Follow your curiosity. Try it.” And if you do, you might be surprised where Holy Wisdom will lead you, as Wisdom has led Sister Rosina and me. But wherever it is when we draw from Wisdom’s strength, we will become people of integrity, full of mercy, joyful people, people of peace and nonviolence.

That’s what we’re celebrating today. We’re remembering our years of ministry, but we are celebrating God’s faithfulness to us. For God is a promise keeper and Holy Wisdom is our strength.”

The Mass was recorded. You will find Sr. Patricia’s preaching at the 1:19 marker. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/QlUcRvTMM3k

August 17, 2021

Sister Ana Gonzalez Professes Final Vows

Sr. Ana Gonzalez signs her Perpetual Vows as a Sister of the Dominican Sisters of Peace at a Ceremony on the Feast of St. Dominic on August 8, 2021. Prioress Pat Twohill, Sr. Margaret Ormond, OP, and Sr. Cornelia Coughlin witness the event.

New Haven, CT – The Feast of St. Dominic saw the Dominican Sisters of Peace welcome a new preacher to the Order of Preachers, as Sr. Ana Gonzalez professed her perpetual vows to the Congregation in a ceremony at the Hubert Campus Center at Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT. Albertus Magnus is a founded ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, and Sr. Ana ministers at the college as Coordinator of International Admissions.

Sr. Ana and her family immigrated from Mexico to Texas when Ana was a young child. She grew up in El Paso as part of a Catholic family and was active in service through the church. When she was a high school senior, she took the advice of a Jesuit family friend and applied to Loyola University in New Orleans.

Sr. Ana Gonzalez, right, professes her vows of Perpetual Profession to Dominican Sisters of Peace Pat Twohill, OP, left, at a Ceremony on the Feast of St. Dominic on August 8, 2021.

She first encountered the Dominican sisters while studying in New Orleans. After finishing her college education at Loyola, she was called home to El Paso, where she earned her Masters’ degree. She embarked on a career in public relations but continued to consider and discern with the Dominican Sisters. She entered the Congregation in January 2014 and made her Temporary Vows in July 2018.

In her reflection at Sr. Ana’s Profession, her mentor and companion, Sr. Anne Kilbride, said “One thing that we know about Ana is that she exudes joy. Her love of God and her love of Dominican life is what brings her the greatest joy, and that is the joy that she shares with us.”

Prioress Patricia Twohill, Fr. Jordan Lenaghan, OP, Director of Formation Patricia Dual, and Dr. Marc Camille, President of Albertus Magnus College also addressed the celebration.

Sister Ana Gonzalez will continue her ministry at Albertus Magnus College, and serve her Congregation as a Vocations Animator, participating in events, retreats, meetings, and the promotion of religious life as a Dominican Sister of Peace.

Single Catholic women who are interested in learning more about religious life are encouraged to visit the Congregation on their website at OPPeace.org, or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Sr. Ana Gonzalez, right, accepts her ring as part of her vows of Perpetual Profession from Dominican Sisters of Peace Pat Twohill, OP, left, at a Ceremony on the Feast of St. Dominic on August 8, 2021.

August 17, 2021

Sister Katherine Frazier, OP, Renews Vows

Sister Mary Jane Lubinski, OP, one of Sister Katherine’s witnesses, embraces her as Prioress Patricia Siemen, OP, signs the Renewal of Vows document.

August 6, 2021, Westchester, Illinois – Sister Katherine Frazier, OP, renewed her vows with the Adrian Dominican Sisters for three years during a Vespers service August 1, 2021, in Chicago. Celebrating with Sister Katherine were Sister friends and the newly-elected leadership team of the Catherine of Siena Mission Chapter, Sisters Mary Jane Lubinski, OP, Mary Priniski, OP, and Mary Soher, OP.

During the ritual, Sister Katherine renewed her vows to Prioress Patricia Siemen, OP. Dominicans vow obedience to Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Dominic, and the Prioress and her lawful successors. The ritual concluded with the signing of papers by Sisters Patricia and Katherine and her formal witnesses, Sisters Mary Jane Lubinski, OP, and Dorothy Glaister, OP.

In a phone interview, Sister Katherine reflected on the grace of her Renewal of Vows. “There’s so much uncertainty right now,” she said. “It was very moving to be able to say that I have the path ahead of me, recommitting myself at this time. This is an invitation to keep on my journey with the Adrian Dominican Sisters and to continue to discover how God is calling me in my life.”

Sister Katherine said she was moved by Sister Patricia’s invitation “to continue to live into a brave space,” and by the presence of so many friends – Sisters who had been with her on her journey as an Adrian Dominican Sister. The use of the incense during the simple service was also moving, she said. “I really felt the prayers of everyone enveloping me.”

Sister friends of Sister Katherine Frazier, OP, gather for her Renewal of Vows.

Sister Patricia Walter, OP, who has accompanied Sister Katherine on her formation journey since she entered the Adrian Dominican Congregation in 2015, said temporary vows and renewal of vows are important steps of initial formation into a religious community, giving the Sister and the Congregation the time to discern whether she is called to be an Adrian Dominican Sister. “The process of full incorporation into the Congregation is a lengthy one,” she said. “Religious life is not a common vocation.”

As Director of Formation, Sister Pat accompanies Sister Katherine in the initial formation process, helping her to understand the vows and shepherding her through the processes of renewal of vows and, ultimately, final profession. “It’s been a grace to accompany Katherine,” she said. “It affirms the relevance of the Dominican charism today because younger people still say, ‘There’s a call here and this is something I can give my life to.’”

A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sister Katherine was serving as coordinator of the Bishop Donald Trautman Catholic House at Gannon University, Erie, Pennsylvania, at the time of her entrance into the Congregation. Since her First Profession in 2018, she has ministered in Mission Integration at Regina Dominican High School, an all-girls high school founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters and located in Wilmette, Illinois.

Sister Katherine is beginning a new ministry: refugee resettlement in New Haven, Connecticut, which will involve helping refugees to find their way in their new homes and to meet their basic needs as they become adjusted to life in the United States. “I’m looking forward to learning a lot,” Sister Katherine said.

Sister Katherine Frazier, OP, renews her vows to Prioress Patricia Siemen, OP.

Sister Katherine describes religious life as an adventure. “If there’s anything I have experienced in these last six years it is that religious life is very full of surprises,” she said. “Part of the mystery of religious life is discovering where God is calling us out of the community, and how often it takes us to unexpected places. It can sometimes be hard, but it’s always a place that is full of grace.”

If you or someone you know is a single Catholic woman, age 19 to 35, who is discerning God’s call, please contact Sister Katherine Frazier, OP, or Sister Tarianne DeYonker, OP, Co-directors of Vocations, at vocations@adriandominicans.org. Registrations are also being taken for the next Come and See weekend, October 8-10, 2021, at the Adrian Dominican Sisters Motherhouse campus in Adrian, Michigan.

August 3, 2021

Dominican Sisters of Peace Profess, Renew Temporary Vows

Sisters Margaret Uche and Ellen Coates Take Next Steps in Formation

Sr. Margaret Uche, center, with Prioress Pat Twohill, OP, left and Sr. Pat Dual, OP, Director of Vocations, right, at Sr. Margaret’s Renewal of Vows Ceremony on July 16, 2021.

It’s been a busy month for Sr. Pat Dual, OP, and the Formation team at the Dominican Sisters of Peace, as Sister Margaret Uche renewed her Temporary Vows at a ceremony in Kansas on July 18, and Sister Ellen Coates professed her Temporary Vows at the Columbus, OH, Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse Chapel on August 1.

Sister Margaret Uche immigrated to the United States from Nigeria to study biology, and later studied nursing, a vocation in which she continues to minister today. She took her first vows in 2018. She will continue her much-needed ministry as a home health nurse in Wichita, KS, during this next stage of her formation.

Sister Ellen Coates, a public health professional originally from Winchester, MA, has been ministering as a COVID-19 contact tracer and public health supervisor at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, during her apostolic novitiate. She will continue to live in Community at the Congregation’s House of Welcome in Columbus, OH, and serve as part of the COVID-19 Mitigation Team at the Ohio State University as she continues her formation.

Sr. Ellen Coates’ service was livestreamed to the Congregation’s communities across the nation. The Congregation’s Kentucky Motherhouse attended the Eucharistic Liturgy virtually as part of their Sunday worship, and the Congregation was able to share the table of God together across the miles.

Dominican Sisters of Peace Prioress Pat Twohill, left, pins the Dominican Sisters of Peace shield for Sr. Ellen Coates, who professed her First Vows as a Dominican Sister of Peace on August 1, 2021.

“In this time of pandemic, it seems only right that God would gift our Congregation with those who are called to heal,” says Sr. Pat Twohill, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. “Sr. Margaret and Sr. Ellen both care for God’s people in their medical ministries, and we are grateful for their service.”

Single Catholic women who are interested in learning more about religious life are encouraged to visit the Congregation on their website at OPPeace.org, or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

July 21, 2021

The Dominican Sisters of Peace Send Two to Novitiate

Cathy Buchanan, Tram Bui move on in Formation

From left, Sister Pat Dual, OP, Sr. Joan Supel, OP, (seated) and Sr. Pat Twohill, right, applaud at the close of the Novitiate Ceremony for Cathy Buchanan, foreground, left, and Tram Bui, foreground, right.

Columbus, OH – After more than a year of virtual formation ceremonies and celebrations, the Dominican Sisters of Peace were blessed and delighted to welcome Cathy Buchanan, 56, and Tram Bui, 42, as First Year Novices at an in-person ceremony on Saturday, July 10, 2021. The ceremony took place at the close of a virtual Congregational Assembly which was held July 8-10, 2021.

Coordinator of Formation Director Sr. Pat Dual welcomed Columbus, OH-area Sisters and Associates to the live ceremony, as well as the many Sisters and Associates watching via video call from around the world. Prioress Pat Twohill opened the ceremony and introduced Sr. Joan Supel, who proclaimed the Scripture for the ceremony from the book of Jeremiah.

Sr. Pat Twohill and Sr. Pat Dual conducted the ceremony at the Congregation’s Martin de Porres Center .

Cathy Buchanan entered the Congregation as a candidate on August 8, 2020, and has been living at the Dominican Sisters of Peace House of Welcome in New Haven, CT. During her candidacy, Cathy ministered at the Albertus Health and Wellness Center at Albertus Magnus College.

Prior to joining the Congregation, Cathy Buchanan served as a Pastoral Associate at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament parish in Roseland, NJ, and in the New Jersey State Department of Corrections for more than 25 years.

Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Caldwell University in Caldwell, NJ. She earned a Master of Arts in Education at Seton Hall University, and later, her Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry at the Immaculate Conception Seminary & School of Theology at Seton Hall University.

Cathy Buchanan is the daughter of the late Mary & Andrew Buchanan. Her brother Peter is also deceased. She has six nieces and nephews and two great-nieces.

Tram Bui was welcomed as a candidate on December 7, 2020.

She was initially introduced to the Dominican Sisters of Peace through our Kentucky Sisters, where she also heard the call of God to become a healer through her career of physical therapy.

Tram holds a PhD from Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX, in 2010. She served as a full-time physical therapist at a short-term stay skilled nursing facility, North Houston Transitional Care, and has continued to minister as a physical therapist while living at the Congregation’s House of Welcome in Columbus, OH.

Tram is the daughter of Neam and Han Bui, and has four sisters, Teresa, Kay Ann, Phuong, Lelei, and four brothers, Juan, Thuy, Tran, and Tan. She also has many nieces and nephews.

“God is still calling women from all cultures and all walks of life to minister to God’s people, and our Congregation is witness to that,” says Sr. Pat Twohill, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

“Our congregation is blessed and deeply grateful to God for the gifted women who feel called to be in mission with the Dominican Sisters of Peace,” said Sr. Pat Dual, Director of Formation.

Sisters Cathy Buchanan and Tram Bui will move to the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in Chicago, IL, later this year. To view a video of the ceremony, please click here.