November 5, 2014

Sister Maureen helps women rebuild lives after prison

Sister Maureen O’Connell, OP (Adrian), gave a keynote address Oct. 14 on childhood trauma and the need for access to trauma-informed care at a national conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Sister Maureen is the founder and executive director of Angela House, a transitional, residential facility in Houston, Texas, for women upon their immediate release from incarceration. She is also a former police officer and chaplain for the Chicago Police Department. Read more

November 5, 2014

Dominican Sisters in Iraq – Displaced Christians face challenge of winter

Sister Habiba, one of four Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena ministering to displaced Christians in Iraq, was interviewed for a recent article in the National Catholic Reporter’s Global Sisters Report. Displaced themselves, the sister are now facing the grave challenge of winter weather as they struggle to provide shelter and sustenance to Christian families in Ainkawa. Read article Sister Attracta Kelly, OP, prioress of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, received a letter of gratitude from the Iraqi Dominican Sisters for generous support from the Dominican Family. But the needs are still great as the cold weather sets in.

November 5, 2014

Sisters celebrate first liturgy in new chapel

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Caldwell Dominicans

After two years of planning and construction, the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell, New Jersey, celebrated the opening of the new Sacred Heart Convent last spring. Upon completion of the chapel just a few weeks ago, the first liturgy for the sister residents took place on Oct. 14. Sister Arlene Antzcak, prioress, blessed the new space and acknowledged the beautiful Dominican symbolism of the four pillars created by Sister Gerardine Mueller.

November 5, 2014

Celebrating Founders Day at Mount Saint Mary College

Above: Sister Mary Ann Mary Ann Clausson, OP (left) and Lorelle Elcock, OP (prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Hope) reminisce at the event. Above right: Sister Celestina Veloso Freitas, OP, representing Dominican Sisters International, spoke about Dominicans in the world today, and the impact of a Dominican education: "If our students receive this kind of formation, they can change our reality," she said. "[These students can] change not only the United States, but the whole world." — Above: Sister Mary Ann Mary Ann Clausson, OP (left) and Lorelle Elcock, OP (prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Hope) reminisce at the event. Above right: Sister Celestina Veloso Freitas, OP, representing Dominican Sisters International, spoke about Dominicans in the world today, and the impact of a Dominican education: “If our students receive this kind of formation, they can change our reality,” she said. “[These students can] change not only the United States, but the whole world.”

Hope Dominicans

hope-msmc-founders-day-2 On Oct. 7, the Aquinas Atrium at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York, was filled with faculty, students and sisters in celebration of Founders Day. The history of the Dominican Sisters of Hope in Newburgh dates back to the 1800s. “Our mission of education began here in Newburgh when four [sisters] traveled from New York City in 1883 to establish Mount Saint Mary Academy,” recalled Sister Lorelle Elcock, prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Hope. “Mount Saint Mary College was later founded by the sisters as a natural extension of its mission.” Read story, view photos

November 5, 2014

Photos of the Week – Springfield Dominican Sister talks about her choice

National Vocation Awareness Week

Sister M. Dominica Brennan, OP tells the story about the day she told her parents that she wanted to become a Dominican sister.