Sister Megan McElroy, OP

2024 – 35 Years a Sister

Prayer Ministry

Pray for those in formation for Dominican Life.

“Ephesians 3:14-21 speaks of family and the discovery of one’s true self. Being part of a family – “whether spiritual or natural” – reminds us that we are not alone in life or faith. Becoming Dominican is a lifelong process of discovering the true self, which at its core is the Word of Life. I am so grateful to discover, share, and celebrate this Life with all who have touched and shaped me, especially the Dominican Family.”

Sister Megan McElroy has been a Dominican Sister of Grand Rapids since 1988. She ministered for a total of thirteen years as a pastoral associate. Her first assignment took her to the cradle of the community in Traverse City where she ministered at St. Patrick Parish and lived at St. Francis Convent. After four years in the northern lower peninsula, she returned to her home Archdiocese of Detroit where she ministered for nine years at St. Blase Catholic Community in Sterling Heights. After earning her Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Megan taught theology at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, an all-girls Catholic high school in the north shore area of Chicago.

She was then called to eight years of formation ministry as co-director of the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in St. Louis, Missouri, forming novices who come together to create their own experience in community with fresh spirit, abundant gifts, and eagerness to grow in the Dominican tradition. During her time in St. Louis, she successfully completed her Doctor of Ministry in Preaching at Aquinas Institute, St. Louis, MO.

Sister Megan is currently serving on the Leadership Team as Prioress.

How can you put into words silent preaching? It is this silent Word that is the first Word Dominicans are called to preach. The Nuns immerse themselves in this silence, listening deeply with compassion and mercy, openness and tenderness, forgiveness and understanding. Their prayer is the bedrock of the oral preaching of the active members of the Dominican Order. — Megan McElroy, OP, excerpt from The Hidden Charism of the Order of Preachers: An Initial Investigation into the Preaching of Dominican Nuns 2017

Biography

Prioress, Sister Megan McElroy, O.P. — Sister Megan served as councilor on the congregation’s 2018-2024 Leadership Team. Previously, she served as co-director of the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in St. Louis. She served as a pastoral associate in Michigan at St. Patrick Parish in Traverse City and St. Blase Parish in Sterling Heights. Early in her career, she taught school at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Illinois. She received her Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology. Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Aquinas College; a Master of Theological Studies from St. John Provincial Seminary; a Master of Divinity with a focus in Word and Worship from Catholic Theological Union; and a Master of Divinity in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology.

At Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dominican Sisters engage with students during Saint Stock. Sisters Ann Mason, Joan Thomas, Rosemary O'Donnell, and Megan McElroy welcome students to learn more about the Dominican charism.

At Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dominican Sisters engage with students during Saint Stock. Sisters Ann Mason, Joan Thomas, Rosemary O'Donnell, and Megan McElroy welcome students to learn more about the Dominican charism.

"As the 800th Jubilee year of the Order approached, I realized that all the branches of the Dominican Family share in the preaching somehow; but how exactly do the nuns participate?" The question led to her doctoral thesis. Her research included interviewing Nuns. Her thesis, The Hidden Charism of the Order of Preachers: An Initial Investigation into the Preaching of Dominican Nuns, was published in December 2018.

"As the 800th Jubilee year of the Order approached, I realized that all the branches of the Dominican Family share in the preaching somehow; but how exactly do the nuns participate?" The question led to her doctoral thesis. Her research included interviewing Nuns. Her thesis, The Hidden Charism of the Order of Preachers: An Initial Investigation into the Preaching of Dominican Nuns, was published in December 2018.

Music as liturgy is a great part of the preaching of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids. Sister Megan is a liturgical musician.

Music as liturgy is a great part of the preaching of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids. Sister Megan is a liturgical musician.

Sister Megan McElroy was elected Councilor on the incoming Leadership Team of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids. She will serve a six-year term beginning July 1, 2018 through July 1, 2024. Also pictured: Sandra Delgado, OP, Prioress-elect; Joan Williams, OP Vicaress-elect; Maureen Geary, OP Councilors-elect. The private ceremony announcing the team was March 11, 2018.

Sister Megan McElroy was elected Councilor on the incoming Leadership Team of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids. She will serve a six-year term beginning July 1, 2018 through July 1, 2024. Also pictured: Sandra Delgado, OP, Prioress-elect; Joan Williams, OP Vicaress-elect; Maureen Geary, OP Councilors-elect. The private ceremony announcing the team was March 11, 2018.

At the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in St. Louis are, from left, Sister Joye Gros, OP, co-director; Sisters Ana González and Margaret Uche, novices from the Dominican Sisters of Peace; Sister Katherine Frazier; and Sister Megan McElroy, OP, co-director.

At the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in St. Louis are, from left, Sister Joye Gros, OP, co-director; Sisters Ana González and Margaret Uche, novices from the Dominican Sisters of Peace; Sister Katherine Frazier; and Sister Megan McElroy, OP, co-director.

At the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in St. Louis are, from left, Sister Joye Gros, OP, co-director; Sisters Ana González and Margaret Uche, novices from the Dominican Sisters of Peace; Sister Katherine Frazier; and Sister Megan McElroy, OP, co-director.

At the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in St. Louis are, from left, Sister Joye Gros, OP, co-director; Sisters Ana González and Margaret Uche, novices from the Dominican Sisters of Peace; Sister Katherine Frazier; and Sister Megan McElroy, OP, co-director.