Dominican Life 
USA
A web crossroads for the Order of Preachers
Four ceremonies Aug. 11–12 in Akron, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Great Bend, Kansas; and Oxford, Michigan were filled with proclamations from Dominican Associates of Peace as they committed themselves to the call and the Dominican preaching mission through a life rooted in prayer, study, community, and ministry. View photos from the associate commitment ceremonies on the Dominican Sisters of Peace web site.
Dominican Province of St. Joseph
On Saturday, Aug. 11, four student brothers, Br. Thomas More Garrett, Br. John Maria Devaney, Br. Sebastian White, and Br. Gabriel Joseph Torretta, made their Solemn Profession of Vows in the Priory Chapel of the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC. The friars will continue their education and formation in Washington as they prepare for eventual ordination as deacons and then as priests. View photos on Dominican Province of St. Joseph web site.
By Mary Soher, OP
Twenty-five Dominican High Schools participated in the 14th Annual Preaching Conference, June 26–July 1, 2012 at Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan. For six days, 99 students and their mentors immersed themselves into the Dominican charism.
The theme “In Every Moment” challenged the participants. We pray, in every moment, when we start, and don’t wait for someone else. As we study, in every moment, we gain momentum about what we are praying for. As community, we become momentus. And, as we preach in every moment, we leave each person we meet with a momento of the Truth.
Students and mentors took this challenge to heart as presenters shared with them the history of our Dominican Saints, our reading of the signs of the times, our willingness to be of service with others, and our opportunity to preach through the arts. At the closing liturgy, celebrated in the motherhouse chapel of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, schools proclaimed their action plans, the fruits of the conference that they would be sharing with their school communities in the coming year.
What are the fruits of the conference? The young preachers say it best:
This conference was a huge eye-opener to me. It displayed the diversity a single country can have while allowing a positive environment for teens to share their love for their faith. It is a conference that anyone should be honored to be invited to. — Madeline “Maddie” Munch, St. Mary’s Dominican High School, New Orleans, Louisiana
The truth, veritas, lies in being yourself — Natanael F. Perez Cordero, Colegio San Antonio, Puerto Rico
Thank you so much! It was a great opportunity that allowed my preaching and faith to take action! — Olivia Ceja, Sacred Heart High School, Los Angeles, California
There is no other place for any high schooler who loves his/her Dominican faith and truly wants to set the world ablaze. — Vincent King, St. Pius X High School, Houston, Texas
It lets God work inside of you. — Samuel Vitulli, St. Pius X High School, Houston, Texas
You may come a preacher, but you’ll leave knowing you will go out and PREACH! — Lauren Hand, St. Pius X High School, Houston, Texas
Being at this conference for a few days, I have had many experiences, memories, made great friends, and I’ll remember my time here forever. — Sophia Merino, Dominican Academy, New York City, New York
This conference really opens our eyes to the different ways we can go out and preach God’s word, not to mention creating very strong friendships with one another. — Maria Lipscomb, Dominican High School, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
You reach a place inside yourself that is unknown to you now. — Allyson Ihlenfeldt, Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, Springfield, Illinois
It’s a great experience for anyone who wants to lead a better life. — Nate Graham, Edgewood High School, Madison, Wisconsin
Preaching camp changed my life. I learned how to preach, what to preach, and who to preach to so that I may forever be with God, whether it be through dance, service, or prayer. — Margaret Korb, Edgewood High School, Madison, Wisconsin
Best week of my life! — Devon James, Rosary High School, Aurora, Illinois
This collaborative effort involves the Dominican sisters of Adrian, Amityville, Houston, Mission San Jose, Peace, San Rafael, Sinsinawa, and Springfield, and the Dominican friars of the provinces of St. Albert the Great and St. Martin de Porres, along with the Dominican Volunteers, the National College Preaching in Action Conference, and Dominican Young Adults USA. A list of 2012 presenters is available online.
Anyone interested in attending the conference or participating as a presenter is encouraged to contact Mary Soher, OP, conference director, at ophs@adriandominicans.org. For more information, visit the High School Preaching Conference web site.
Sister Mary Hughes, OP, prioress of the Amityville Dominican Sisters and past president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), will represent LCWR at the National Press Club’s Aug. 16 luncheon in Washington, DC, beginning at 12:50 p.m. EST. Her address and a subsequent question and answer session will be covered on C-Span and will also be webcast. Sister Mary Hughes was also recently interviewed by PBS.
In true Dominican fashion, 19 young women and men left the Adrian Dominican motherhouse on Aug. 9, the day after the Feast of St. Dominic, to preach the Word to people in need from one U.S. coast to the other. They were the 2012–13 Dominican Volunteers, newly commissioned at the 10:30 a.m. liturgy in St. Catherine Chapel after a week of orientation. This is the largest group of volunteers since Dominican Volunteers USA (DVUSA) was founded in 2001. Read more
USA
A web crossroads for the Order of Preachers
