Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids
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A Jubilarian Shares Her Story: Sr. Phyllis Klonowski, OP
October 3, 2017
Jubilee, like an anniversary, marks time by remembering, asks for the forgiveness of debt and/or actions to strengthen relationships with God and neighbor, and celebrates the abundance of blessings experienced. The oldest of five daughters for Daniel and Regina (Peplinski) Klonowski, my life was rich with deep Catholic faith, education, and Polish customs. These marked […]
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A Jubilarian Shares Her Story: Sr. Susan Ridley, OP
September 29, 2017
“Here I am Lord, send me.” – Isaiah 6:8 I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on September 14, 1938. My father, Howell Ridley, a southerner, married my mother, Gladys Boylon, a northerner. My parents, older sister, younger brother, and I grew up in Grand Rapids. From the age of five, Grand Rapids Dominicans have […]
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A Jubilarian Shares Her Story: Sr. Judith Kirt, OP
September 22, 2017
“Life is the childhood of our immortality.” Goethe If I had not answered the Call to Religious Life, I am not sure how my personal, spiritual, and professional growth would have unfolded. I was born in Lake Leelanau on November 21,1938 to Dennis and Mildred Kirt. St. Mary’s Church and School continue to nurture faith, […]
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A Jubilarian Shares Her Story: Sr. Joan Thomas, OP
September 15, 2017
When I think of having the gift of THIS MOMENT in time…living SIXTY YEARS in our treasured Grand Rapids Dominican Community…it is a profound blessing and reality! If I had not answered the Call to Religious Life, I am not sure how my personal, spiritual, and professional growth would have unfolded. My journey of Dominican […]
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Dominican Justice Ministry: Expose the Truth About Human Trafficking
September 1, 2017
Background As a member of the ministry of the North American Dominican Promoters of Justice, Peace, and Care of Creation, a collaborative of Dominican Congregations, we recognize that this area of injustice is rooted in racism, sexism, poverty, and oppression that give rise to violence. These root causes of injustice inform our study and search for truth. Naming […]
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Prayers Please: Tomorrow 10am UN Vote on Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty
July 7, 2017
“Tomorrow may well be an historic day here at the UN, as over 125 countries will vote on a treaty to legally prohibit nuclear weapons. The vote will take place tomorrow morning at 10am. If this treaty is adopted, we will have banned nuclear weapons; established a framework for the elimination of nuclear weapons programs […]
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Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids at United Nations Assembly on Nuclear Weapons
June 28, 2017
Pope Francis stated: “International peace and stability cannot be based on a false sense of security, on the threat of mutual destruction or total annihilation, or on simply maintaining a balance of power. Peace must be built on justice, on integral human development, on respect for fundamental human rights, on the protection of creation, on the […]
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Graduation Time for ESL
May 3, 2017
The semester will close in two weeks and we rejoice with all our students who have accomplished so much this year. Graduates of the program are: Emaway Mekuria, Stephanie Ochoa, Tatiana Karandasheva, Kestutis Grinciunas, Mayra Pinto and Binta Bah. This is always a hard time as we say “good bye” to folks we have come […]
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Sister Inspiration: Jean Marie Birkman’s Vocation Story
April 19, 2017
Her parents drove her to Marywood in 1948. She was 18 years old. She recalls her Dad getting lost at various points on their quest to find “the convent.” “At one point, we drove up to the very humble back door of the property and I thought, uh-oh, this isn’t what I imagined,” says Jean […]
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Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids 2017 Jubilarians
April 1, 2017
A Jubilee is an anniversary when we honor Sisters and Associates and reflect on their unique contributions to our lives. We tell stories, share what we’ve learned from and with one another, and reflect on our joys and sorrows. We celebrate! We honor each Dominican Sister and Associate and the ways that they have shared […]