Dominican Statement on Gaza
We are deeply disturbed by Israel’s “Pillar of Defense” attacks on Gaza. We call for an immediate end of the air strikes and naval bombing into Gaza as well as for an end to the ongoing siege of Gaza. We also call for an end of the rocket attacks from Gaza aimed into communities in Israel, which will not bring peace and security to the area. Read more

Photo of the Week

Dominican Sisters of Peace Hurricane Isaac brings high school students together Student preachers from two Dominican Sisters of Peace high schools recently came together in New Orleans. Students and retreat team leaders from the Academy of St. Agnes, Memphis travelled to New Orleans to help the victims of Hurricane Isaac, which hit the Gulf Coast in late August. After a long day of giving out food and cleaning out areas filled with debris, they enjoyed supper and conversation with the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Two of these sisters, Sister Pat Harvat and Sister Mary Jones, minister with the Dominican Sisters of Peace at St. Mary’s Dominican High School. Before heading back to Memphis, the students visited St. Mary’s and enjoyed breakfast with the student preachers, who then led a guided tour of the campus.

Hurricane Sandy
Storm impacts Dominican sisters, ministries on East Coast

The sisters of Dominican congregations in New York and New Jersey—Amityville, Blauvelt, Caldwell, Hope and Sparkill—ask your prayers for the people of their area who are suffering the great devastation from Hurricane Sandy as well as the snowstorm that followed. Sisters from each congregation have been rendered homeless. In some cases, it is a matter of electricity; in others, water damage. Sisters from Hope on the Jersey shore won’t be back into Asbury Towers until December. Amityville Dominicans from Long Beach, Long Island, New York, cannot return to the convent, which suffered structural and water damage. Sisters from Coney Island lost much of their belongings and the condition of the building is questionable. Retreat houses staffed by Dominicans and others were hard hit on the Jersey coast. Read more

Webcast
Dominicans Promote Racial Justice in the 21st Century

Members of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, and Springfield, Illinois, Anti-Racism Teams presented a webcast Nov. 12 focusing on systemic racism. Sister Mary Ellen Gevelinger, OP, Sinsinawa prioress, welcomed those present in Sinsinawa as well as those joining via the Internet, noting that we cannot pretend that racism has gone away—that it is systemic within our institutions. She also echoed a challenge that this is the moment for Dominicans today to summon the transforming grace of our charism and to continue to preach for justice. Read more

Dominican Sisters of San Rafael
Congregation welcomes new candidate

On Nov. 3, the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael welcomed their newest candidate, Christina Atienza. As a candidate (also known as a “postulant”) Christina will live with the sisters in their house of formation, Jane D’Aza Convent, and participate in the daily life of community. She will learn about Dominican life and spirituality, and take Scripture and theology classes at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, participate in some ministry, and visit sisters in their local living communities. Read more

UN Briefing
Human trafficking: ‘We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers’

Trafficking happens right here in the United States. As President Obama articulated in his address to the Clinton Global Initiative, “It’s the migrant worker unable to pay off the debt to his trafficker. The man, lured here with the promise of a job, his documents then taken, and forced to work endless hours in the kitchen. The teenage girl, beaten, forced to walk the streets. This should not be happening…” How can we as individual citizens play a part in the prevention of human trafficking? Read article by Dominican volunteer Kati Garrison

Adrian Dominicans
‘Class of Hope’ graduates in Baghdad, Iraq

Sister Aman Miriam Mansoor, OP, a friend of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, shared the joyful news of the Oct. 20 graduation of the “class of hope” from St. Thomas High School for Girls in Baghdad, Iraq. The class, composed of Christian and Muslim students, is a testimony to the harmony that can exist in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. Read more

Las Casas: Dominicans in Ministry with Native Americans
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha canonized in Rome Oct. 21

As a representative of the Las Casas board of directors, I had the privilege and rare opportunity to participate in the canonization ceremony for Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, known as “Lily of the Mohawks.” A delegation of more than 700 formed the official pilgrimage, joined by smaller groups arranged by individual dioceses across the country and many hundreds more from Canada. Read article by Sister Marilyn Winter, OP (Adrian)

Springfield Dominicans
Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez receives NRVC award

Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP (Springfield) was honored by the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) during its recent convocation in Plano, Texas. NRVC presented its 2012 Recognition Award to two of its members, Sister Elyse Marie and Sister Josita Colbert, SNDdeN. Sister Elyse Marie is coordinator for religious vocations ministries for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Read more

Mount Saint Mary College
Fr. Robert Christian presents lecture on Vatican II

At Mount Saint Mary College’s Founders Chapel, theologian Fr. Robert Christian, OP, recently examined the impact of Vatican II with “The Church of the Second Vatican Council: A Work Complete, Yet Always in Progress.” The free public talk, hosted by the Mount’s Catholic and Dominican Institute, marks the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. Read more

Faith and Film
High praise for Flight, Skyfall

As impressive as the flying scenes are, “Flight” is more concerned with the inner turbulence of pilot “Whip” Whitaker (Denzel Washington in an Oscar-worthy performance) whose life is spinning out of control. “Flight” is a strong, powerful film with excellent performances. “Skyfall” is the new, eagerly anticipated James Bond movie. It’s been four years since the last Bond movie and 50 years since the first Bond movie, “Dr. No.” “Skyfall” is the third movie with Daniel Craig as Bond. In every respect, it is worth the wait. Reviews by Tom Condon, OP.

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The next Dominican Life | USA update will be published on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Deadline for submission of articles/photos is Friday, November 30. Happy Thanksgiving!