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Grand Rapids: Sister Chela professes final vows
Sister Chela Gonzalez, OP, professed final vows with the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Oct. 18. Read more, view photos
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Caldwell University celebrates Dominican Jubilee
Caldwell University kicked off its celebration of the 800th Jubilee of the Order of Preachers on Nov. 11.
Students, staff, faculty, alumni, special guests and the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell, the order that founded the university, gathered to mark the occasion with Mass and a luncheon.
Sister Patrice Werner, OP, prioress of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell, greeted those in attendance and explained how the Jubilee Year opened formally on Nov. 7, the Feast of All Saints of the Dominican Order, and will end on Jan. 21, 2017, because the 21st was the day on which Dominic received official confirmation of the Order from Pope Honorius III.
“The Jubilee is a celebration of the entire Dominican Family—friars, nuns, sisters, lay members, laity,” she said.
Dominican sisters at Catholic Sisters Initiative convening
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Catholic Sisters Initiative hosted its Inaugural Partner Convening Nov. 4–7 in Pasasdena, California. Dominican sisters were among the 54 participants, all of whom had received grants through the program. Sister Priscilla Torres, OP, attended on behalf of Giving Voice. Sister Mary Soher, OP, was there on behalf of National Catholic Sisters Week, and Sister Reina Perea, OP, was present on behalf of her congregation, the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose.
Mariandale: Women Bearing Gifts Retreat
The Dominican Sisters of Hope have announced “Women Bearing Gifts,” a weekend retreat for women April 29 – May 1, 2016 at Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center in Ossining, New York. The invitation offers: “Give yourself a gift of a weekend. Explore unique opportunities to know and claim your individual giftedness. Be renewed in a peaceful environment on the banks of the Hudson River. Celebrate springtime with other women who desire to find new life and become their own unique gift.”
Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center is a sponsored ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Hope. Located at 299 North Highland Avenue in Ossining, New York, the center is one mile from the Croton Harmon Train Station and an hour north of Manhattan. It is a full-service retreat and conference center with 61 acres of land on the Hudson, 40 bedrooms and full meal service, a swimming pool, nature trails and a labyrinth. The center is handicapped accessible and there is plenty of free parking.
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DYA Molloy Chapter presides at Vespers
By Sister Gina Fleming, OP (Amityville)
As part of our celebration of the 800th Anniversary of the Order, this past Sunday our Dominican Young Adult chapter from Molloy College, Rockville Centre, New York, presided over our Sunday vespers service.
There was a great deal of energy in the chapel as well as anticipation as these young people began the service. As the entrance antiphon was being sung and the presider and person giving the reflection were processing into the chapel it was clear that this was going to be something special, and indeed it was.
The voices of the young women who were leaders of song were beautiful as they led us reverently in all of the songs as well as the chanting of the psalms. As I looked around the chapel at the sisters and associates as well as the parents of the student participants who were in attendance, I could see how moved they were by these young people.
“This service reminded me of the days when we were the people leading the vespers services. It was very touching to see how these young people reverenced the service and their parts in it,” one sister said.
After one of the young adults read the scripture, Andrew Abberton, president of Dominican Young Adults USA, gave a reflection. “It was powerful, and challenging as well. He spoke as if “Dominican” were part of him,” said another sister.
As part of the service, the young people who were to become new members of Dominican Young Adults, Molloy Chapter as well as those who were renewing their commitment to the organization stood up and professed their allegiance to the organization. At that point the entire congregation responded by resoundingly accepting their commitment and encouraged them to “stay the course.” Twenty-five young people attended the service all either committing or recommitting to membership in the organization.
I can probably say with some certainty that there were few dry eyes in the chapel. It was so moving to see how these young people have embodied the Dominican spirit. They have claimed their place in the Dominican Family and they are very proud of it. Oh yes, my sisters, the Dominican Charism is alive and well in our young people and they will pass it on long after we are gone! That is a great sign of HOPE for our future! Our beloved charism is in “Good Hands.”
