October 5, 2013

Literacy center celebrates 20 years of service to immigrants

Springfield Dominicans

The Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora, Illinois, was recently featured in the Chicago Sun-Times Beacon News publication (“Dominican nuns bring mobile food pantry to Aurora”). Founded by the Springfield Dominicans, the Dominican Literacy Center celebrated its 20th anniversary by partnering with a local interfaith food pantry to reach out to those in need. The literacy center has helped an estimated 2,500 women learn to read and write English. Sisters Kathleen Ryan, Ann Clennon and Jane Ann Beckman provide on-on-one tutoring to students whose native languages include Spanish, Chinese, Ukrainian, Russian and Polish. Read article

September 25, 2013

Faith & Film: The Spectacular Now

Based on its posters and trailer, you might expect “Spectacular Now” to be a “feel good” movie about young romance. On the contrary, this new movie is much more serious. It tells the story of Sutter Keely, a 17-year-old high school senior. Sutter is a “party boy” who drinks way too much. He is bright, but seems to have no interest in going to college. He doesn’t even seem to care whether he graduates from high school or not. Sutter’s main interests are partying and dating the most popular girls in school.

One morning, Aimee, one of Sutter’s classmates, finds Sutter passed out in her yard. Sutter doesn’t know where he is, how he got there, or what happened to his car. He doesn’t even recognize Aimee, much less know her name. Aimee doesn’t run around with the popular crowd. She is a smart girl who draws well and likes to read science fiction. When he’s told he is likely to fail geometry, Sutter asks Aimee to tutor him. Aimee agrees to help him. Then Sutter decides to ask Aimee out. He’s not that interested in Aimee, but is on the “rebound” from dating popular Cassidy, and has no one else to ask. To Sutter’s surprise, he actually finds himself drawn to Aimee.

As it turns out, both Sutter and Aimee are being raised in single parent households. Aimee’s father is dead; Sutter’s father left long ago. Sutter wants to see his father and have a relationship with him, but his mother refuses to let Sutter know where his father is. Both of these young people grieve the loss of their fathers.

Sutter continues to drink heavily. He is seldom without a large “big gulp” cup which has more than soda in it. When he is without the cup, he has a flask in his pocket. The amount of underage drinking in the movie is disturbing, as is a bedroom scene between Sutter and Aimee. Sutter introduces Aimee to drinking. The movie doesn’t condone their drinking. Rather, it sees Sutter’s drinking as a symptom of his poor self-concept, connected to his longing for his father. Eventually the drinking contributes to Sutter’s loss of his job in a men’s clothing store. Sutter’s mother tries to reach out to Sutter, but he has little to do with her, assuming that she is responsible for his father’s absence.

“The Spectacular Now” benefits greatly from the performances by its two young leads: Miles Teller as Sutter and especially Shailene Woodley (who was so good as George Clooney’s older daughter in “The Descendants”) as Aimee. The movie is to be commended for not making light of Miles and his troubles. It’s unclear at the end whether he will change or not. But that’s true to life; we don’t know how people will turn out. Certainly his relationship with Aimee, as well as a meeting with his father, forces Sutter to take a closer look at himself and his future if he doesn’t change.

“The Spectacular Now” is not exactly a spectacular movie. It’s not long, but it doesn’t move well. And did I mention all the underage drinking? Still, I liked Sutter and Aimee enough to pull for them and hope they make the right choices so that they can move from the now to a promising future.

Tom Condon, OP

September 25, 2013

Sister leads ‘Crossing Borders’ immigration workshop

Dominican Center at Marywood

Sister Mary Brigid Clingman, OP (Grand Rapids), pastoral associate, will lead a six-session course starting Monday, Oct. 7 and continuing through Nov. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Dominican Center at Marywood, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Designed by JustFaith Ministries, the workshop offers the opportunity for prayer, reading, and reflection about the issue of immigration. Participants will explore public policy positions on immigration, the U.S. history of immigration, Biblical concepts and experiences, Catholic social teaching, and the effects of globalization on economic systems enmeshed in immigration realities. Read more

September 25, 2013

Dominican Day Oct. 7 at Barry University

Adrian Dominicans

Sister Adela Langa, OP (Adrian), coordinator for mission effectiveness and leadership for Barry University, is planning special events on the university’s Miami Shores, Florida, campus on Monday, Oct. 7, to mark the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to lunch and conversation with three Dominicans: a friar from the Southern Province, an Adrian Dominican Sister, and an Adrian Dominican Associate. The three will speak of their own call to Dominican life. Read more

September 25, 2013

Sinsinawa Dominicans Dubuque’s Got Sisters!

Are you a woman wondering what life might be like as a religious sister? Then sign up for “Dubuque’s Got Sisters!” and get ready for a unique experience. Dubuque, Iowa area religious communities (including the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters) are offering an opportunity to come together with sisters and other women who are asking how to best serve the people of God. Join us for prayer, conversation, and a chance to get to know communities of women who continue to serve people on the margins. There is no fee to attend.

The “Dubuque’s Got Sisters!” event begins Friday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. and ends Saturday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. To register or for more details, e-mail Sister Lou Anglin, BVM, at langlin@bvmcong.org or call her at (563) 588-2351. “Dubuque’s Got Sisters!” is sponsored by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters (Wis.), Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Dubuque Franciscan Sisters.

The retreat will be held at Mount Carmel, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, situated atop the beautiful bluffs of the Mississippi River. “We are glad to jointly offer this opportunity to women who are interested in religious life. Sisters in the Dubuque area collaborate in many ways to offer service, speak out for justice issues, and pray together. It seemed quite natural to come together to offer ‘Dubuque’s Got Sisters’ as well,” said Sister Lou Anglin, BVM, who will be one of the Sisters accompanying the group.

Catholic Sisters, who live and work in your community, invite you to learn more about their work by visiting their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/catholicsisters.