The Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters in partnership with five other women religious congregations in Indiana and Michigan, has launched a billboard campaign promoting Gospel values that include the welcome of immigrants and care of creation and people impoverished by damaging and unjust political, economic, and social systems.
“The Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids believe Jesus became human to show us how to love wholeheartedly, selflessly, inclusively, unconditionally. We selected the messages for our boards with the intention of demonstrating that how we treat each other, each human being, matters deeply. Our second intention was to reassure people who are injured, imprisoned, persecuted, traumatized, and weary, that there are people who care,” said Sister Megan McElroy, OP, prioress.
In Grand Rapids, the July/August billboards read “Blessed are the Peacemakers” (on Leonard Street near Walker Avenue driving west) and “Blessed are the Merciful” (on 44th Street, west of Stafford Ave. between Kalamazoo Ave. and U.S. Route 131).
The messages stand in contrast to recent indiscriminate arrests, imprisonment and deportations of immigrants, cutting of aid to the most vulnerable, and weakening of environmental protections. The collective of Indiana and Michigan women’s congregations hopes the signage will encourage people to pause and see the vulnerable and marginalized in the United States and around the world through another lens. Supporting these individuals and families, the participating congregations say, benefits all people, as it contributes to the betterment of communities, society, and our nation.
“For Grand Rapids, this billboard campaign is public witness of our Congregation’s commitment to the Gospel call to active peace-making, compassion, and reconciliation,” said Sister Megan. “This action is supportive of our directions in ministry including committing ourselves to deepening relationships, enriching community, standing with those who are poor and marginalized, and caring for Earth, our common home.”
“Who we are, what we stand for, and how we live our lives in Christ remain steadfast as we reflect and respond to the needs of our country and world at this time.”
Megan McElroy, OP
The billboard “Blessed are the Peacemakers“ reflects our deep commitment to justice, active peacemaking, and non-violence, echoing Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
The billboard “Blessed are the Merciful” shines a light on God’s Love, which is compassionate and urges us toward right-relationship with all Creation. Mercy is not just a feeling but a way of life, involving actions that reflect God’s loving and forgiving nature. “Blessed are the merciful: for they will obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
The billboards with messages urging care and concern for people and planet are displayed in Grand Rapids, Adrian, and Kalamazoo, Michigan, and in South Bend, Mishawaka, and Plymouth, Indiana.
The leaders of the congregations collaborating on the billboard campaign are members of Region VII (Michigan and Indiana) of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). Participating congregations include Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters, Adrian Dominican Sisters, Sisters of St. Joseph in Michigan and Sisters of the Holy Cross, Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, and Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in Indiana.
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The Leadership Conference of Women Religious ( LCWR ) is an association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States. LCWR serves to further the mission of the Gospel by serving as a voice for the most vulnerable and by promoting dialogue and collaboration among religious congregations and society. To that end, LCWR released “A Response from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious to These Times” in January 2025. The Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids affirmed this response, adding: “Who we are, what we stand for, and how we live our lives in Christ remain steadfast as we reflect and respond to the needs of our country and world at this time.”
Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids has a long history of ministries rooted in Gospel values. Ministries have included: education, health and human services, and pastoral ministries in the United States and other locations around the world. The Sisters founded and operated schools throughout Michigan and New Mexico over twelve decades and founded Aquinas College. Ministries have also included a maternity hospital and social services community center in Peru still operating today, and pastoral and education services in Honduras for two decades. Our former WORD ESL and Citizenship Ministry allowed Sisters to accompany immigrants and refugees from countries around the world on paths to employment, education, and citizenship. Today, Dominican Center Marywood spirituality center is located nearby on the campus of Aquinas College. Sisters and laypersons at Marywood create a welcoming and rich liturgical and residential environment. Our grounds, named Mary’s Woods, Prairie, and Gardens, is a ministry inspired by the call of Pope Francis to care for Earth, our common home, we are committed to love, protect, and restore these sacred grounds to ecological health, creating a green sanctuary in the heart of the city.
