Meet UP 2026 — A Room Full of Love, Joy, and Blessings

by Alyssa Morillo Scheidt, Director, Mission Advancement

The Word of God grounds the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids in who we are and what we do. We are each called by God, to SEE, to ACT, and to LOVE. Every day we must show up, as people of faith. We must see and act and love in accordance with our faith, even when it directly contradicts the prevailing voices of our time. We must be peace-makers, peace-builders.

Life gets busy and we rarely see each other as often as we would like! That is why the annual Meet Up is so special. It is our chance to gather with close friends, catch up over a wonderful lunch, and hear the latest updates from the Dominican Sisters.

And the room positively buzzed last week as 150 Sisters and friends gathered for Meet Up 2026 in Grand Rapids, Michigan! The energy was palpable and there was joy on everyone’s face. Sisters couldn’t have been more grateful for the time to connect with friends.

As guests finished lunch, Sr. Diane Zerfas shared an important message to inspire our work for justice. We were reminded that:

• The Word of God grounds us in who we are—regardless of what is going on around us.
• Our Gospel values, the Word of God, the teachings of Christ—this is our core, our center.
• We are each called by God, to SEE, to ACT, and to LOVE.

Expanding further, Sr. Diane voiced what so many of us feel—that heeding God’s call for a just response in trying times is not easy. Still:

• Every day we must show up, as people of faith.
• We must see and act and love in accordance with our faith, even when it directly contradicts the prevailing voices of our time.
• We must be peace-makers, peace-builders, not just peace-lovers.

Before concluding Sr. Diane announced the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters Foundation 2026 grantees:

Those grantees in attendance stood as we applauded their courage and commitment in caring for our communities.

1. 1. The Other Way Ministries — Supporting neighbors on the West side of Grand Rapids through education, food security, youth and family, and community programming.
   2. Immigration Law & Justice-Michigan — Promoting justice for immigrants and providing pro bono and low-cost immigration legal services to individuals and families.
   3. Fresh Coast Alliance — Helping transform the lives of those affected by incarceration and addiction, providing programming, coaching, and housing.
   4. Exalta Health — Providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare for all, including those who are uninsured and under-insured, refugees, and immigrants.
   5. Matthew’s House Ministry — Offering programs and services for men, women, and children to promote self-sufficiency and independence and help end the cycle of homelessness and poverty.
   6. Casa Angelica — A nonprofit care facility for individuals with complex medical and developmental needs whose families often cannot safely meet these needs at home.

2026 Foundation Grantees and Board (left to right front row) Sr. Diane Zerfas, Katie Carpenter (The Other Way Ministries), Karleigh Murray (Exalta Health), Sr. Sandra Delgado, Sr. Joan Williams; (left to right back row) Sr. Maureen Geary, Scott Bloem (The Other Way Ministries), Anje Banks (Fresh Coast Alliance), William Williams (Matthew’s House Ministry), Julie Powers and Yuwiska Tagliati (Immigration Law & Justice)

As guests departed, additional information was available to take home on ways to further engage with the Sisters on justice issues, learn more about Associate life or the Veritas Society, or discover how to support the GR Dominican Sisters Foundation.

We hope you’ll mark your calendars now to join us for Meet Up 2027 on Wednesday, June 16, 2027. Until then, we hope you will continue to learn more about the many ways you can engage with the Sisters all throughout the year!