“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” ~ Isaiah 52:7
I embark on my 60th Jubilee celebration with Great Thanksgiving. It is my family, my Community members, my friends – even students and strangers – who have been “sent” into my life to deepen in me a love of God and the Word of God. Happily, I listened to most of their wisdom and heard God’s call to contribute my unique gifts to the Dominican Family, living the Motto: To Praise, To Bless, and To Preach Jesus Christ.
Since 2nd grade at St. Bernard’s in Alpena, I wanted to be a Sister, sometimes secretly, sometimes openly. My Irish father had no chance for a “priest,” not with 4 girls, and I felt I was the most “promising” to become a Sister. At an early age I played at being a teacher and entered into classroom teaching upon graduation from Aquinas College in ’66. Teaching prepared me for vocation ministry and campus ministry and retreat ministry, for parish ministry and then a call to leadership in the congregation. Today, I serve as alumnae engagement officer at Aquinas College.
God has used me as an instrument of Faith through my ministries as a Teacher, a Campus Minister, a Vocation Director, a Retreat director, a Congregational Leader, and a friend.
Spurred on by others’ invitations over the past 8 years, I’ve taken to writing Reflections, Poems, and Blessings for different occasions. I try to capture what’s weighing on my heart and transpiring in the world and then write.
I strive to live the Word faithfully within community life: “Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17. My mother taught me much about hospitality to widows.
I feel blessed to be living in this challenging time of Environmental consciousness, Justice probing, Reparation-seeking and Global interdependence. I applaud Pope Francis’ Leadership in calling
all of us to Spiritual renewal where conversion of heart and lifestyle are essential; where the wonder and awe of God’s Presence in Creation leads us to reverence all life.
2023 – 60 Years a Sister
Pray for those on probation and parole
Since 1965 Sister Mary Ann has enjoyed playing the String Bass for liturgies and concerts.
Sister Mary Ann Barrett served as Councilor on the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids Leadership Team 2012-2018. She shares her presence with Sisters at Aquinata Hall. Always, her wit and warmth light up a room.
Sister Mary Ann Barrett visits with students at St. Stephen Catholic School and many other schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids throughout the year.
Sister Mary Ann Barrett and Sister Therese Rodriguez love spending time with young adults. Thank you Aquinas College students for visiting the Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids at Marywood.
Sister Mary Ann Barrett OP was elected Councilor to the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters Leadership Team for the 2012-2018 term. Pictured are Sister Sandra Delgado OP (Vicaress), Sr. Maureen Geary OP (Prioress), Sr. Lucianne Siers OP (Councilor), Sr. Mary Ann Barrett OP (Councilor)