| Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids praise, bless and preach the Word of God through beneficial works and words uplifting and encouraging all people of the Earth. While most of the Sisters minister to residents of Michigan, many work throughout the United States, Honduras and Peru. There are over 300 Sisters in the Grand Rapids Dominican Order of Preachers. |
Introducing . . .
Wisdom
Historically, quite a number of biological sisters have entered the Dominican order together. During the era of prohibition and shortly after the birth of jazz, Marie Visner put aside her dreams of becoming a dancer, entering the convent with her older sister, Cecil. Two older sisters Marie and Cecil had already joined the Dominicans of Grand Rapids, taking the names of Sister Joachim and Sister Perpetua Maria.
Sister Rose Miriam’s Dominican ministry began in 1925, teaching English, math, drama and religion at Catholic schools throughout Michigan. Her next assignment was as dorm director at Aquinas College, overseeing nearly eighty young Sisters who were also college students at Aquinas.
Sister Rose Miriam moved north to East Tawas for several years. There she visited shut-ins, energetically pedaling to visit them on her adult-size three-wheel bicycle. Nearing her 80th birthday, she retired to Marywood. Happy and feeling blessed with her life choices, she encourages people contemplating a religious life to go for it, saying, “If they have the ability to do it, it’s the best (life) of all.”
Today, Sister Rose Miriam, as Marie is now known, is the last living of the four Visner sisters and peacefully spends her days at the Marywood Health Center. At the age of 105, Sister Rose Miriam attributes the Dominican lifestyle to her longevity. “Many Dominicans live a long time. It’s a nice quiet life. Our days and nights are very even,” she says.
Beauty
In a quiet alcove tucked away in the Marywood basement, lay shapeless lumps of clay and stone awaiting transformation into inspirational works of art. Here you will find Sister Phyllis Mrozinski lovingly plying her craft as artist-in-residence.
Sister Phyllis' path to inspirational art began when she was working in an office at Aquinas College. Encouraged by her supervisor, she decided to take a few art classes to enhance her work in designing brochures and posters. Thus began the life of Sister Phyllis as sculptor. Several of Sister Phyllis’ works are on display in local galleries, Dominican Center, St. Thomas Parish, Aquinas College and the Marywood campus.
Sister Phyllis' latest work is a life-size sculpture of St. Dominic. She says, “The idea for this project came to me in prayer and I was so excited to begin. The entire project was a total joy.”
The completed sculpture of St. Dominic was dedicated during Dominican Days of 2008, and graces the grounds of the Marywood campus in Grand Rapids.
Love
How do you spell love? If you were to ask the students at Sacred Heart of Jesus Elementary School they might say “Sister Vera.” Sister Vera Ann Tilmann is director and founder of the WORD Project which is an after-school literacy program. When most children are hastily rushing to their lockers, busses and bicycles, a group of youngsters head down the hall and are warmly greeted by Sister Vera. They are anxious to begin their homework at the after-school WORD Project, where they are carefully placed in a mentoring relationship - an important goal of the program. The volunteer mentors come from all walks of life, from retired teachers and college students to parents.
The WORD Project earns high grades from schools and parents, and it has made a significant impact on school choice for parents. The program is subsidized by the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids and has been in existence for ten years, providing 400 monthly hours of volunteer tutoring and mentoring.
"Just a small amount of tutoring really makes a difference. . . a large part of what I do is to connect tutors, students and instructional materials together in a way that makes an effective experience,” remarks Sister Vera Ann. A retired award-winning educator, she had dreamed of starting such a literacy program and adds that the search for volunteers is ongoing.
Family
A unique link is forged between siblings at birth and is an important part of our identity as a member of a family group and as individuals. Regardless of the miles that may separate siblings as adults, a deep commitment to family endures. Few other human connections are as powerful as ancestral ties.
On occasion, as is the case for many Dominican Sisters who are also biological sisters, this distinctive group of women are devoted to one another. They also share a devotion to God through their vows.
We salute the Sisters who are sisters, maintaining allegiance to both their birth family and their Dominican Family.
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• Angelina and Dolores Abeyta •
• Joan and Laurena Alflen •
• Julianna and Elizabeth Barilla •
• Carletta and Lillian Bockheim •
• Donna and Phyllis Brown •
• Carmella and William Mary Conway • |
• Doris and Cecilia Faber •
• Helen Jude and Emeliana Judis •
• David Therese, Lydia and Peter Mary Korson •
• Ellen Mary and Phyllis Lopez •
• Dominica and Julia Nellett •
• Mary Albert and Rose Seraphine Sagorski •
• Catherine, Jean, Joan and Joyce Williams • |
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