“We are preachers. It is not what we do. It is who we are… Mission is not what we do; it is who we are.”
– Gerard Francisco Parco Timoner III, Master of the Order of Preachers
Grand Rapids, MICH — July 9, 2026 — It was an honor and pleasure to welcome the Master of the Order of Preachers to Marywood, home of the Congregation of Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids on Tuesday, July 7.
“We were blessed to have our brother, Gerard Timoner, III, OP, the Master of the Dominican Order, accompanied by Louie Morrone, OP, the Provincial of the Province of the St. Albert the Great (the Central Province), spend a few hours with us this past week,” said Sister Megan McElroy, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids. “Fr. Gerard’s presence was a reminder to us of the reality that where one Dominican is, the whole Dominican Family is present.
In Marywood Chapel of the Word, “highlighting names of the Saints of the Order, he emphasized in his comments that the preaching of the Order takes form in a myriad of ways, not just the pulpit, and our preaching is a gift to the Church and to the world. Our form of life is, in itself, a preaching,” Gerard said. He reminded us of the words of Edward Schillebeeckx, OP, who said, “For a Dominican to live in community, it is the first apostolate.”
Visiting first with Sisters at Aquinata Hall, he said, “I’m happy you are here together. Some people live alone and sometimes feel isolated. Isolation comes from the word “isola”, or “island”, but when we combine it with the word “con”, it becomes consolation. Isolation becomes consolation. I hope and pray that each of you is a consoling presence to one another.”
“Despite constant attention and connection on social media, we live in a world where people are increasingly isolated one from another. I found Gerard’s comments to be an invitation for our preaching to take the form of presence and consolation. It calls to us to examine how can our presence is a consoling one to our family and friends, to our co-workers, our colleagues-in-mission, and to one another as Sisters and Associates.”
“Fr. Gerard’s guiding messages remind our Congregation of how blessed we have been in our nearly 150-year mission in Michigan, especially as we continue ministries of deepening spirituality and community through Assembly, Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College, Justice, and Land Stewardship.”
“Such preaching echoes the preaching of Jesus who did not hesitate to reach out, to console, in word and action, those who were isolated from their families and communities because of illness in mind, body, or spirit. May our preaching continue to touch the hearts and lives of those we meet every day.
Fr. Gerard Timoner, Master of the Order of Preachers, was greeted at the entrance of Marywood by Prioress Sister Megan McElroy, OP, and Former Prioress Maureen Geary, OP.
About the Master of Order of Preachers
Master of the Order of Preachers Gerard Francisco Parco Timoner III, OP
