Photos of the Week

Union of International Superiors General Dominican sisters participate in meeting in Rome Prioress Lorelle Elcock of the Dominican Sisters of Hope (above right) was among the 800 members of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) who had an audience with Pope Francis May 8 before he appeared in St. Peter’s Square. Sister Lorelle reported the pope was well-received by the global leaders who represent congregations of women religious from around the world. According to the UISG leadership, none of the sisters present could recall the last time a pope met with their general membership. Sister Gloria Marie Jones (Mission San Jose), also in Rome for the UISG meeting, is pictured below with her “table mates” representing the following congregations: Missionary Sisters of St. Cabrini, Rome; Little Sisters of the Blessed Lady, Zimbabwe; Daughters of Mary, Tanzania; Servants of Mary, Wisconsin; Carmelites, India; Franciscan Missionaries of St. Joseph, Great Britain; Sisters of St. Martha, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. “We reflect such an amazing breadth of theological thought and religious life experience,” said Sister Gloria. The UISG provides an international forum where leaders of Catholic women religious congregations can share experiences, exchange information and mentor one another. For more information, visit www.uisg.org.

Dominican Sisters of Houston
Texas sisters board the bus for health care reform

“Get on board! The Nuns on the Bus are headed to Austin in support of health care coverage for the working poor” was the call from Catholic sisters from around the State of Texas. In response to the call, at 5:30 a.m. on the morning of April 17, sisters from five congregations in Houston and their friends boarded the bus and headed for Austin. Dominican Sisters, Carol Mayes, Eleanor Cresap, Julie Greig, Pat Casey, Ceil Roeger, (Houston), Maureen O’Connell, (Adrian) and Jeri Cashman, (Sinsinawa) were members of the delegation. Read article by Ceil Roeger, OP (Houston)

Amityville Dominicans
Sister Yolanda celebrates final profession in Puerto Rico

Sister Yolanda Alvarez Ramos made her final profession of vowes religious life April 7 in the Province of Puerto Rico. A few days before the event, the province also welcomed Sister Mary Hughes at Convento Santa Cruz, and Sisters Beth McGarvey and Terry Gallagher in Cataño. Dominican Associate Maritere Nieves welcomed Sisters Marenid and Flor. Their presence reaffirms the phrase “We are a People Made One.” Read article by Sister Margaret Briody, OP (Amityville)

Adrian Dominicans
Congregation welcomes new associates from Alaska

For many, becoming an Adrian Dominican Associate is a spiritual journey, but two women recently also took a geographical journey when they traveled from Anchorage, Alaska, to Adrian, Michigan for the Ritual of Acceptance into Associate Life. Barbara Block and Susan Jayich became Associates during Vespers on April 24 in St. Catherine Chapel. Read more

UN Briefing
Hunger, nutrition and climate change: A new dialogue

In April, the Hunger, Nutrition, and Climate Justice conference took place in Dublin, Ireland. According to the conference document “A New Dialogue: Putting People at the Heart of Global Development”: “Climate change impacts on food and nutritional security are exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and inequalities in resource access, especially for women who are primarily responsible for food production and for feeding families. This is unjust, because those who have done least to cause climate change will suffer disproportionately from its effects. Climate change is undermining the rights of vulnerable and marginalized people, including their right to food, to health, to water and to life itself.” Read article by Dominican Volunteer Kati Garrison

Dominican Sisters of Hope
Quilt show honors legacy of local benefactor

A quilt exhibit and sale will be held at Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center, Ossining, New York, June 8–9 and June 12. The quilt show has a rich backstory. The late Nancy Murphy of Croton-On-Hudson was an avid quilter and quilting teacher; her husband donated some of her unfinished work for the sale. The quilts were finished by Mariandale quilters and volunteers. Proceeds from the quilt sale will benefit the Mariandale Retreat Center’s Outreach Programs. Read more

Priest in the News
AIT president speaks on Dominican tradition of civility

Dominican Father David Caron, president of the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri, was featured in an article in The Catholic Transcript, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut. Fr. David presented the St. Catherine of Siena Lecture April 22 on the campus of Albertus Magnus College. His presentation was titled, “Choosing Civility and Respect: A Catholic and Dominican Perspective.” Read article

Sinsinawa Dominicans
Sisters participate in regional strategic planning process

GROW SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN! That is the title given to the planning process that has been underway in the five-county areas surrounding Sinsinawa Mound. The Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SWWRPC) received a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist Richland, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette and Green counties with “on the ground” planning to build the local economies, increase the quality of life, and preserve the natural heritage of this area. Read article by Sister Sheila Fitzgerald, OP (Sinsinawa)

Dominican Sisters of Peace
New York retreat center receives interfaith award

In April, the staff of the Dominican Retreat and Conference Center in Niskayuna, New York received the Robert J. & Dorothy S. Ludwig Interfaith Award from the Interfaith Community of Schenectady, Inc. The award is in recognition of ministering to people of all faiths and providing programs that give spiritual rest and renewal. Rev. Robert Long, president of the Interfaith Community, presented the award to the staff. Read more

Earth Day, Every Day
Labyrinth walk reminder of relationship with creation

The Dominican Sisters of Houston sponsored a special Evening Prayer and Labyrinth Walk on April 20 at 5:30 p.m., in anticipation of Earth Day. Reflecting on the covenant that God made with Noah and his sons after the flood, (Genesis 9:8-17, New Jerusalem Bible), Sister Ceil Roeger, OP (Houston) called for a theology of relationship when we think about Earth. Read more

Faith and Film
Mud

As summer draws near, the movie studios will deluge theaters with big-budget action and comic book movies. It’s nice to spend a couple of hours in the world of the independent film. Read review by Tom Condon, OP

Previous updates:

The next Dominican Life | USA update will be published on Wednesday, May 29. Deadline for submission of articles/photos is Friday, May 24.