As the Congregation Laudato Si’ Committee continues discernment of the path our Congregation will take during the next seven years, our Dominican Community already has several initiatives underway.
• Care for our Common Home and One Human Family video series by Sr. Mary Catherine Fodrocy. Some Sisters and Associates have been watching the videos and engaging in conversations and personal exploration of care of our common home. View videos here https://www.grdominicans.org/introducing-our-common-home-one-human-family-laudato-si-video-series/
• The Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College team has been developing new programs for this spring and summer. The programs all follow a similar thread based on a call from Genesis 2:15: Treat the earth as if your life depended upon it. See more about these upcoming programs in this newsletter. Programs include: Faith in Place ~ Caring for the Land that Cares for Us; Spring Sacred Seed Retreat; First Nations Version ~ An Indigenous Translation from the New Testament; and the new book club featuring: The Seed Keeper. See program details here https://dominicancenter.com/programs-and-retreats/
• Sunday Assembly and Sisters followed Living A Laudato Si’ Lent reflection and action program during March.
• In May 2021, Promoter of Justice Brigid Clingman OP, led the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids through study sessions, based upon the Understanding Laudato Si’ webinars, by Fr. Daniel P. Horan, OFM.
• Dominican Associates begin study of the document Laudato Si’ on Saturday, April 23, 2022 According to Associate Life Director, Lisa Mitchell, “We will gather from 10:00am – 3:00pm at Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College. The day will include prayer and a discussion. Our preparation for the study day includes reading chapters from the encyclical and watching Understanding Laudato Si: Models of Creation, by Father Daniel P. Horan, OFM.” This video is available on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzyYPJLhZjc. Associates: please register before Monday, April 11, using the following link https://dominicancenter.com/programs-and-retreats/laudato-si-study-in-community-grand-rapids-dominican-associates-gathering/