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Reflections on Dominican Days - August 8, 2010
Jubilarian Sister Joan Williams said," The mission handed on to us by Jesus is both a privelege and a challenge. We need only to read the brief stories of our twenty-four Jubilarians in the Jubilee Booklet to experience how with joy and gratitide each Sister in her own way has strived to live out this privilege and challenge." Read the stories of each Jubilarian by CLICKING ON EACH PHOTOGRAPH HERE.
Sister Joan continued, "As our community leadership wrote in the same booklet: The celebrants are contemplative women with a passion for justice who desire to be in right relationship with God, one another and the cosmos, and who willingly embrace the risk of preaching the Gospel of hope." To read the entire text of Sister Joan's reflections, please CLICK HERE.
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Sister Chela Gonzalez
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Sister Chela Gonzalez
Watch the reception ceremony to welcome Chela Gonzalez into the Novitiate as a Dominican Sister ~ Grand Rapids
To view the video, click on the picture at left or CLICK HERE |
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Magnificat (Song of Mary)
Dominican Sisters chant the "Magnificat" during Morning Prayer, also known as "Lauds" during Dominican Gathering Days in August of 2010.
To view the video, click on the picture at left or CLICK HERE. |
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Sister Dorothy Ederer
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In the News
Sister Dorothy has recently been in the news talking about her new book, The Golfer's Prayer Book. Mark Haney of The Catholic Times wrote an article about the book and some of her other ministries. To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Sister Dorothy also has secured occasional spots on the Bart Hawley Show at JTV in Jackson, Michigan. If you wish to watch the first installment of Arts & Crafts with Sister Dorothy, CLICK HERE. |
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Called To Serve 2010
Twenty-six young women took part in Called To Serve 2010. The 13-day event is over, but you can view some of the pictures from this year's working, playing, praying, experiencing Dominican community. Some of the locations that were served by these wonderful women: Cook Library Center, Guardian Angel Homes, Rays of Hope for Haiti, Blandford Nature Center, Habitat for Humanity, St. Francis Xavier, Americorps Reach Out and Read, UCOMM. View some of the Called To Serve memories in OUR FACEBOOK ALBUM. |
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Seven travel to New York for Peace
Seven of our Sisters travelled to New York for three days of activities associated with the International Conference for a Nuclear Free, Peaceful, Just and Sustainable World. Read complete article HERE and view picture album at our facebook page in the album titled "Peace Gathering 2010."
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President -Elect of the ACWR
Sister Rose Marie Martin is the new President -Elect of the ACWR Board (National Association of Women Religious Archivists). She will be traveling to Washington D.C. in late August to attend a meeting and officially be “sworn in” to office. We commend Sister Rose Marie on her willingness to serve and for her dedication to her ministry in congregational archives. Click to read entire article, and then scroll down to read pages pages three and four. |
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Not Just Buying a Home
"A conversation with Anna Maria Santiago, Ph.D., will get you to think about the importance of some very practical matters in the lives of low-income families who, for the most part, have the odds stacked against their chances to achieve and sustain financial stability, mobility, and independence."
The Spring 2010 issue of Insight & Action details the study at Case Western Reserve University. Sister Anna Maria has been named the first chairholder of the Leona Bevis and Marguerite Hayman Professorship in Community Development. Click to read entire article. |
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Atomic Bomb Exhibition Material
Available to Other Groups
The Culture of Peace Committee is pleased to announce that the posters recently on display during the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Photo Poster Exhibition at Dominican Center at Marywood are now available for others who wish to schedule a similar presentation.
For a description of materials available and contact information, please download complete details HERE.
For those wishing a summary of the event at Dominincan Center at Marywood, the Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy gives you an excellent summary of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Exhibition. Click to read entire article .
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Sister Maria Goretti Beckman receives PCM Peace Award
Sister Maria Goretti Beckman was awarded the Pax Christi of Michigan’s (PCM) 2010 Purple Ribbon for Peace Award at PCM’s 29th Annual Conference on March 27, 2010. To read Pax Christi’s complete article about Sister Marie Goretti Beckman and her tireless efforts on behalf of peace, read PCM’s Winter 2010 News Briefs.
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In the News
Ronald McDonald House celebrates 20 years in Grand Rapids. Click on the picture at left or HERE to view a news clip from WZZM Channel 13 Grand Rapids news. You may recognize one of the volunteers in the clip as our own Sister Janice Mankowski. Over the years, several of our Sisters have volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan that provides housing for families of children who need medical care in Grand Rapds. They rightly call themselves a "home away from home." Our Sister volunteers go where help is needed. Pictured at left is Sister Janice with Ronald McDonald.
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Imagine Peace Video Series
Our Preaching Through Media Committee has been working on creating short DVDs entitled Imagine Peace which can be used in various youth or adult times for reflection and faith sharing. Link to the Preaching Through Media Committee page and there you will see four links to the videos which are housed at www.archives.org . They are short, meditative pieces produced through a collaborative effort by all members of this committee. Take a moment, relax, and imagine peace as you watch and listen to these videos.
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Beautiful People
In the fall of 2009, Sisters Maureen Geary and Mary Navarre visited our mission in Chimbote, Peru. The pictures in the linked slide show demonstrate the poverty and need, but also the beauty of the coutnryside and the strong and welcoming spirit of the people.
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Aquinas College Sustainability Program in NCR
Matthew Tueth, Sustainability Program Director at Aquinas College (pictured at left) was interviewed by NCR about their excellent program in sustainability which combines business and the science of sustainability. READ MORE |
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Dwelling Place Dedicates New Housing Community
On February 10, Dwelling Place dedicated their newly renovated building that is now a permanent transitional housing option. Sister Jarrett DeWyse, Director of Housing Development at Dwelling Place says, “This is a new program that has not been done in Grand Rapids before.” Dwelling Place purchased the property in July after leasing it for 15 years as transitional housing for single women. The building has been transformed into 16 one-bedroom apartments for singles who are escaping domestic violence. The complete article is provided by Rapid Growth Media . READ COMPLETE ARTICLE |
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Sister Barbara Hansen begins 9th Year on GRTV
GRTV has been producing NPO Showcase on LiveWire Channel 24 since February, 2002. The show was envisioned by former GRTV Station Manager, Chuck Peterson and originally hosted jointly by Joel VanKuiken and Sister Barbara Hansen. . . READ COMPLETE ARTICLE. |
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Sister Sue Tracy - Cancer Survivor
Sister Sue Tracy is the subject of a December 27, 2009 profile in the religion section of the Grand Rapids Press. The article, written by press columnist Charley Honey, reminds us that no matter how difficult life may sometimes be, it helps to have someone nearby who can scatter some joy in the midst of suffering.
Sister Sue Tracy is a four-time cancer survivor. As an oncology chaplain at Spectrum Health, and with the grace of God, she shares light, laughter and love with others who are struggling with cancer... READ COMPLETE ARTICLE.
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Nature/Sculpture Garden
Instruments of Hope (IOH), a non-profit organization will be developing and installing a nature/sculpture garden on the Marywood property. Some potential uses for the natural woodland garden setting will be meditation, prayer, nature study and quiet events in keeping with the spirit of the garden. There will be several sculptures of Saint Francis of Assisi placed at intervals along the paved walking path along with benches for resting. The garden will be accessible to all. Work will begin in the spring of 2010. For additional details. . . READ COMPLETE ARTICLE.
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Old Meets New in the Faith Lives of two New Mexico Women
In the October 7, 2009 issue of the National Catholic Reporter, the last in a series of articles by Tom Roberts features two women living and working in the southwest: 72-year-old Sister Bernice Garcia and 28-year-old Sarah Nolan. Roberts tells how two strong women, generations apart in age and life experiences, are continuing to shape the face of the church in New Mexico. . . .READ COMPLETE ARTICLE |
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Putting the "Heart" in Heartside
Every Tuesday afternoon for nine years Sister Marge Stein has been quietly offering her hair-care expertise to the Heartside residents at Degage Ministries on Division and Cherry. Degage Ministries recently presented Sister Marge with a plaque recognizing her constant service and spirit of giving to people of Grand Rapids. Sister Marge says that, personally, her time working at Degage is very uplifting.
She adds, "The Heartside residents are generally very educated people who just got in trouble somewhere along the line or are just down on their luck, but they have a lot of hope that tomorrow is going to be better." The Grand Rapids Press recently printed an article about her work for Degage Ministries.. . .READ GR PRESS ARTICLE
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Lithuania
On July 3,2009, Sisters Dorothy Jonaitis, OP, and Sister Jeanette Lucinio, SP, flew to Vilnius,Lithuania for two weeks to participate in the education of Lithuanian teachers. The experience was both productive and enjoyable. . . READ MORE
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New Mexico
In the September 18, 2009 of the National Catholic Reporter, the article "Hidden Prospects: The New Mexico Church May Hold Answers for the Future," cites Sister Bernice Garcia as one example of the emerging Catholic Church in New Mexico. The article states that "No great Catholic institutions have arisen here, so Catholicism has had to inject itself in different ways into institutional life." . . .READ MORE |
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Beach Cleanup
Five of our Care of Earth Committee members participated in the September-2009
Adopt-a-Beach event. Volunteers from several organizations were out in force at 120 event locations along Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Michigan shorelines. There were also a number of inland locations and at least two islands covered during this year’s event. Pictured at left, after a day of beach cleaning are Sisters Constance Fifelski, Lucille Janowiak, Gail Ann Martin, Katrina Hartman and Joanne Davey.
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Team Irish Award
Sister Mary Donnelly and her co-rectors at the University of Notre Dame were presented with distinguished Team Irish Award during the Notre Dame/Michigan State football game on September 19, 2009. Rectors are responsible for thirty-one student residence halls. Sister Mary is currently the Rector in Pangborn Hall. Each rector is on call 24/7, living side-by-side with students, offering counsel, wisdom, support and an open door.
Criteria for the award include advancement of the Notre Dame mission, achievement of results affecting University operations, formation of relationships that define and solve problems, and creation of a team environment. Congratulations! For a fuller description of just what a rector does, refer to the attachment included with this mailing: To Praise, To Bless, To Preach.
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From August 3 - 9, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids gathered at Marywood for Dominican Days, which is an annual get together for meetings and reunions; for remembering and reflection; and also a time to celebrate the commitment of this year's 37 Jubilarians as well as the vows and commitments of each Sister. Read the inspirational words of three Sisters who spoke to the community during Dominican Days.
Sister Nathalie Meyer, Prioress, speaks of hope as the light in the darkness and Jesus as the light of the world. READ MORE
Sister Kateri Schrems, 50-year Jubilarian, expresses her gratitude for being a part of a dynamic group of women who share the bread of life in many ways. READ MORE
Sister Justine Kane, 25-year Jubilarian, speaks of the changing face of religious life that she sees as an affirmation of the continuing legacy of St. Dominic. READ MORE
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An Interview with the Jubilarians
On July 1, 2009, shortly before Dominican Gathering Days, Sister Mary Navarre interviewed six 70-year Jubilarians. If you have a high-speed internet connection, you can easily view the 10-minute interview in your browser by clicking here. Jubilarians included in the video conversation are Aurora Valerio, Emiliana Judis, Elaine Mitchell, Karen Thoreson, Eileen Popp, and Antonita Vigil. You will enjoy their seriously thoughtful, and occasionally humorous, reflections on religious life and individual ministries over each Sister’s seventy years as a vowed religious Dominican Sister. (N.B. This is a 10-minute video and takes a few minutes to load.)
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On May 4, 2009, Sister Anna Maria Santiago, OP received the 2008-2009 Excellence in Teaching Award from the School of Social Work at Wayne State University. Recipients must demonstrate a sustained record of excellence in undergraduate or graduate education. In her letter of award, Dean Phyllis I. Vroom noted Anna's "strong commitment to her students, her excellence and innovations in graduate teaching and learning, her strong commitment to working effectively with a diverse student body, and the impact that Anna's teaching has on students' intellectual and professional development and their lives." |
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Living with Grace by Y.M. Foster (aka Sister Yvonne Greiner, OP) is now available for purchase at www.trafford.com/07-2025 Living with Grace is about "spirituality based on the author's life experience of facing serious challenges and coping with them creatively and gracefully." This book and Sister Yvonne's first book, Inner Journey, are both available at www.amazon.com |
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Hugh Michael Beahan FAITH IN HUMANITY AWARD
On Saturday, April 25th, 2009, Prioress Nathalie Meyer, on behalf of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids, was presented with the Faith in Humanity Award at the St. Andrew's School/Hugh Michael Beahan Foundation Dinner Auction. The award has been given annually to a community member or group who exemplifies the ideals of the foundation's namesake: Education, Diversity and Social Justice.
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Sister Aquinas Weber, OP was named Hometown Hero by the Red Cross on May 1, 2009 during their annual celebration at the New Steelcase Town Hall. "Sister M. Aquinas Weber - Our HOMETOWN HERO - is a dedicated member of the Dominican sisterhood and a strong voice in our community. She serves as the chancellor emerita of Aquinas college, and played a key part in the revitalization tf the Eastown neighborhhod."
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Sister Barbara Reid, OP was selected as Vice President and Academic Dean of Catholic Theological Union by its Board of Trustees on April 27, 2009. Fr. Don Senior, CP: "Barbara is Professor of New Testament Sutdies at CTU and has been a member of the Faculty since 1988. She received her Doctorate in Biblical Studies from the Catholic University of America and has published widely, earning a reputation as a leading New Testament scholar." |