Photo of the Week

On April 26 in the East Tremont section of the Bronx, New York, sisters, politicians and friends gathered to celebrate the dedication of The Lenniger Residences, named in honor of Sister Barbara Lenniger, OP (Sparkill). The building provides 92 units of affordable housing for formerly homeless and low-income individuals and families. Sister Barbara served as executive director of Thorpe Family Residences, Inc. and Park Avenue Thorpe, a sponsored ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill. Thorpe Family Residence provides a safe and peaceful transitional environment for mothers and their children. Park Avenue Thorpe provides permanent housing for families in need of long-term support. Those who attended the event took tours of the building, enjoyed a breakfast buffet, and listened to remarks from Center of Urban Community Services representative and dignitaries. Tom Hannigan, executive director of CUCS, presented Sister Barbara with a plaque and thanked her for all that she has done to help the homeless in the Bronx.

Sparkill Dominicans
Former Pakistani missionaries hold reunion

Responding to the Holy Father’s request in the late 1950s that more labourers be sent into the vineyard, the Pakistan Mission was entrusted into the care of the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph in 1956. In 1958, the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, New York, enthusiastically responded to an invitation from the friars to join with them in this work of evangelization. This friendship and collaboration was revisited and celebrated at a recent reunion. Read more

UN Briefing
‘35 days to the future we want’: RIO+20 is June 20–22

In just four weeks, the heads of state and government of more than 120 nations will converge on Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development. The expectations of this conference are very much linked to the unfulfilled commitments made at the first conference, more commonly referred to as the Earth Summit. The paradigm shift from unsustainable economic growth models of consumption and production, to a more sustainable development model providing for the needs of people while respecting Earth’s limited resource base, was a commitment at the highest political level in 1992. However, 20 years later, the world is in a far more precarious position, with more people living in abject poverty and the health of the planet severely compromised. Read more

Shem Center
Interfaith retreat: ‘Treasured Aramaic Words of Jesus’

Persons of all faiths are invited to attend “The Treasured Aramaic Words of Jesus” July 8–13 at the Chiara Center in Springfield, Illinois. The retreat is directed by Brother Joseph Kilikevice, OP, founding director of the Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality in Oak Park, Illinois. Download brochure

Sinsinawa Dominicans
Heritage exhibit on display June 2–Aug. 8

The sixth annual Heritage Art Exhibit at Sinsinawa Mound, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, will be on display in the Sinsinawa Art Gallery June 2–Aug. 8. “To Praise, To Bless, To Preach,” a motto of the Dominican Order of Preachers, describes the works in this show. Read more

Adrian Dominicans
Mary’s Pence celebrates 25th anniversary

What do a sewing and craft co-op, a leadership training program for Latina women, an outreach program for formerly incarcerated women, and a shelter in New Orleans have in common? They are all women’s initiatives that have received grants from Mary’s Pence, a non-profit, grassroots organization that funds women’s ministries in North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Founded by Adrian Dominican Sister Maureen Gallagher, OP, Mary’s Pence celebrated its 25th anniversary in April. Read more

Profession of Vows
Congregations welcome newly professed sisters

The Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, Justice, Illinois, celebrated the first professions of Sisters Maria Rosaria Freeland and Maria Vianney Kysely on April 29. The Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids, Michigan, celebrated the first profession of Sister Chela Gonzalez on April 28. Flor de Maria Buruca, OP, also made her final profession of vows with the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, New York.

Dominican Sisters Conference
2012 May Gift Sharing Raffle: Winners announced

The raffle drawings have officially begun! This month, great gifts donated by Dominicans will be given away daily. Proceeds support the mission of the Dominican Sisters Conference. List of winners (updated weekly)

Coming Events
Learn more about summer programs, retreats

Visit DomLife’s Coming Events page for the latest schedule of summer retreats, programs, and educational opportunities. We have been making regular updates to this page, so please check back. If you know of an event and would like to see it published, please send the information to editor@domlife.org.

Dominican Sisters Conference
Registration, Market Place

Register now for the first annual Dominican Sisters Conference (DSC) Convocation Oct. 4–7 at the Westin Hotel in Wheeling, Illinois! Speakers Timothy Radcliffe, OP and Judi Neal will address the theme “Edge Walkers: Unfolding the Fertile Unknown.” The convocation will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, and will close Sunday, Oct. 7 at noon. To download registration materials (PDF 1.6 MB), click on the graphic or click here.

The Market Place is an opportunity for promoters of preaching, justice, young adult groups, eco-farmers, artists, bakers, booksellers and other special groups or vendors to promote their programs, products or services. Download Market Place application form (MS Word document). Download Market Place flyer (PDF)

Previous updates:

The next Dominican Life | USA update will be published on Wednesday, May 30. Deadline for submission of articles/photos is Friday, May 25.