“On Thursday, June 19, 2014 from 6:00 – 6:10 p.m., the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters will gather in the Dominican Chapel / Marywood to pray for peace and protection of the people of Iraq. We invite the public to join us in communal prayer at our Chapel during this time,” says Sr. Maureen Geary, prioress of the Grand Rapids, Mich. Congregation. “If you cannot join us in person take a few moments to pray with the world community.”

This call for prayer has been extended to the world community through The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). Grand Rapids Dominicans and women religious of all Congregations share a bond with the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, in Mosul Iraq. According to a statement released by the LCWR, “We believe that prayer has the power to change the course of events in Iraq. We stand with our sisters and brothers who courageously remain with the people they serve and will join with them in prayer for as long and as often as it takes until the violence ceases,” said LCWR president Sister Carol Zinn.

Click here for the LCWR News Release issued June 17, 2014.

More Background: During 2013, the Dominican Sisters in Iraq faced repeated harassment at their Mother House and were dispersed to areas of greater safety outside the City. View 2013 video interview with Dominican Sisters in Iraq.