News and Announcements
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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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Sister Maria Goretti Beckman to receive PCM Peace Award
Sister Maria Goretti Beckman will be 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.
The Annual Purple Ribbon for Peace Award is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. on the day of the conference. The Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids are among the list of co-sponsors for Pax Christi of Michigan. See conference details: Pax Christi Michigan Conference. |
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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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New Intern
Welcome to Stephanie DeFouw, our new student intern. She is working in the Marywood Archives with Sisters Rose Marie and Michael Ellen. A senior at Aquinas College, Stephanie’s tasks involve input of information via the computer, especially in the specific skill of archiving materials in the software program “Past Perfect.” Stephanie will also be learning about setting up displays, networking with national and international archival groups and the many other unsung tasks of the modern day archivists.
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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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September 23 - November 1, 2009
At the request of the Grand Rapids area 40 Days for Life Campaign, many of our Sisters will be praying for an end to the destruction of all life by violent means. This fall, from September 23 - November 1, the 40 Days for Life organization will be uniting with many others from coast to coast -- and internationally -- for a major, simultaneous respect for all life -- the 40 Days for Life campaign.
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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." |
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