Photo of the Week

Dominican Sisters of Peace: Associates recommit The Southern Ohio Associates of the Dominican Sisters of Peace recently celebrated a recommitment ceremony at the Martin de Porres Center in Columbus. Ninety-six associates renewed their dedication “as part of the world-wide Dominican Family to a life rooted in prayer, study, community and ministry.” View more photos from the ceremony

Dominican Vocations
Friars welcome novices

The Dominican Province of St. Joseph announces its 2012–2013 novitiate class. Thirteen men will begin their canonical year of novitiate on Aug. 8 at St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati. Also, the Dominican Province of St. Martin de Porres has announced its 2012 novitiate class: Adam Deline of Adrian, Michigan; Andrew Duplechin of Derridder, Louisiana; Adam Fisher of Easley, South Carolina; Nathan Kennedy of Amarillo, Texas; Brian Kirk of Houston, Texas; and Nicholas Reynolds of St. Simons Island, Georgia.

Adrian Dominicans
Weber Center hosts Holy Land armchair pilgrimage

At this time of year, many Christians travel on pilgrimages that help them to experience lands that are associated with their faith—from the various Mediterranean countries where St. Paul preached the Gospel to European shrines such as Lourdes and Fatima. For the second year, Weber Retreat and Conference Center has helped about 60 pilgrims to experience the land where Jesus walked 2,000 years ago—from the Sea of Galilee to Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Jerusalem—without ever leaving Adrian, Michigan. Read more

Sister in the News
Sister Pat ministered to hundreds of refugees

After 38 years of ministering to refugees in Iowa, Sister Pat Scherer is retiring. A June 24 article in the Des Moines Register (“Sister Pat Scherer welcomed newcomers with open arms, heart”) tells her story. Read story, view photos

Dominican Young Adults
Local chapters participate in national gathering online

On June 9, more than 20 Dominican Young Adults (DYA) from New York, Puerto Rico, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana were able to “meet” online using a Google+ Hangout. Read story by Sean Mundy

UN Briefing
Collaboration key to elimination of human trafficking

The problem of trafficking in persons is a prevalent issue in any country, regardless of its socio-economic status or level of development. The United Nations estimates that 2.5 million people are being trafficked at any given time. In 2011, more than 161 countries reported problems with human trafficking; they were either a country of origin, transit, or destination. Read article by Alexis Sajben

Racine Dominicans
Congregation celebrates 150 years of ministry

“The year was 1858. Three brave women religious—Maria Benedicta Bauer, Thomasina Ginker, and Cunigunda Schell—leave Germany by boat for the new world with a mission of teaching German immigrant children and eventually caring for elderly women,” noted Racine Dominican Vice President Sister Agnes Johnson as her community began a year of sesquicentennial celebration. After traveling the United States, the three pioneer women settled in Racine, Wisconsin, on May 12, 1862, to start a new community. Read more

Jubilees in June
Sisters celebrate anniversaries of religious life

Dominican sisters across the United States are celebrating anniversaries of profession as vowed women religious this month. Many of the congregations feature stories and photos about their Jubilarians online. We’ve compiled a list of congregations celebrating Jubilees, and links to more information. Read more

Sister in the News
Sister presents to hearing-impaired at Eucharistic Congress

The American Sign Language track of the 2012 Eucharistic Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, featured Sister Shirley Bodisch, OP, as a presenter. Sister Shirley, a native of Boston, has worked in deaf ministry for more than 30 years in Louisiana and Mississippi. Read story in Georgia Bulletin

Friar in the News
Biology professor speaks to priests on death, dying

Father Nicanor Austriaco, OP, cancer researcher and assistant professor of biology at Providence College in Rhode Island, recently spoke to priests and deacons of the Archdiocese of Atlanta on end-of-life issues. Read article in Georgia Bulletin

Ministry Opportunities
Positions available with RENEW International

RENEW International, a not-for-profit Roman Catholic organization that fosters spiritual renewal, evangelization, and the transformation of the world through parish-based small Christian communities,has the following career opportunities available at its Plainfield, New Jersey, offices: Presenter and Administrative Assistant. Read more

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.

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Previous updates:

The next Dominican Life | USA update will be published on Wednesday, July 11. Deadline for submission of articles/photos is Friday, July 6.