Sister Teresa Houlihan, OP

75th Jubilee Reflection

“Those who work for justice will see the face of God.” ~ Psalm 11

My earliest thoughts of a religious vocation came during my third year at St. Michael’s College University of Toronto, as a member of a Catholic action group entitled “Young Christian Students.” At one of the regular meetings, Fr. Dore, CSB, our chaplain posed this question: “You are all young Christian students, so what contribution will you make to the life of the Church?” He asked us to consider the question seriously. Reflecting on the question, I knew I enjoyed studying and learning and thought I might be a teacher. Could it be to a religious congregation whose ministry was studying and teaching?

Several Sisters, students from various Congregations, lived in our residence while studying at St. Michael’s Institute of Medieval Studies. Fr. Dore encouraged me to speak with a Dominican Sister Jane Marie Murray OP.  from Grand Rapids, Michigan. During several conversations, Sister spoke of the significant role of prayer and liturgy in religious life, of study in preparation for ministry, and the value of community life. Subsequently, with prayer, faith, courage and the blessing of my parents, I applied to the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids, Michigan

My ministry, over the years, has been in education. I enjoyed my years teaching Philosophy at Aquinas College. Although the courses were often required, the students were interested and eager to wrestle with philosophical principles, concepts, and the outcomes that followed.

I left teaching for a period and accepted the responsibility and honor of serving two terms as Prioress of the Congregation. To see our Sisters ministering in so many areas of great need was both a grace and blessing for me. During my final years of ministry, I returned to teaching as a member of the Philosophy, Department of Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island.

Biographical Notes:

I was born in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. My home parish was the Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains. I entered religious life after several years of study at the University of Toronto. After profession I earned an MA from Catholic University, Washington, D.C. and a Ph.D. from Laval University, Quebec, Canada.

Accordingly, my years in ministry have been spent primarily in the classroom introducing students at Aquinas College, Grand Rapids and Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island, to the study of philosophy. However, for a period of eight years I had the honor and privilege of serving the Sisters as Prioress of the congregation. I cherish those years as truly a blessed time.