New Dominican Associates are challenged to “Construct the Village”
Make Commitment to Prayer, Service, Study, Community
Springfield Dominican Associate Class of 2018. New associates are noted in bold type. All others in the photo are sister- and associate sponsors of the new associates. Row 1: Sister Catherine Mary Currie, Nancy Kaz, Sister Agnes Ann Pisel, Sister M. Gael Daly, Sister Ancilla Caulfield, Shirley Harrison, Sister Mary Jean Traeger. Row 2: Dietgard Hunsley, Sister Anita Cleary, Joe Beltz, Carrie Becker, Crystal Cady, Beverly Emme, Sister Denise Glazik, Sister Kathleen Kenny, Patricia Klopenburg. Row 3: Sister M. Clare Fichtner, Erica Smith, Joelle Murr, Barb Kern, Charles Good, jr., Gail Eck. Row 4: Sister Beth Murphy, Catherine Becker, Sister Martha Marie Kirbach, Marcela Bermudez, Carl Corrigan, Carol Sipes, Carolyn White, Elizabeth Ross, Michael Ross. Not pictured: David Berg and Joanne Berg, who made their commitment on May 13, and Sister Joan Sorge, associate director.
Springfield, Ill.— Sixteen new Dominican Associates made their commitment on May 6 after completing a 9-month course in the history, spirituality, and mission of the Dominicans. Two others made commitment on May 13. During the May 6 commitment ceremony, they heard from Sister Judith Hilbing, prioress of Sacred Heart Convent, who reminded them that in “that moment of truth and transformation” at death they will be asked “Who did you bring with you? Who did you cherish in those countless possibilities for relationships? To whom on the fringes did you listen? Whose hands did you hold? Whose feet did you wash?” The commitment celebration took place during a festive Morning Prayer and Mass at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel. The associate candidates were presented to Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, the prioress general of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, by Sister Joan Sorge, the associate program director. The 2018 associate class included residents of the Springfield and Joliet dioceses, and of the Chicago archdiocese. Each associate made a commitment to service they said they would undertake in the spirit of St. Dominic and in the Dominican tradition.
Welcome to the new associates!
From the Springfield Diocese:
Carrie Becker, St. Agnes Parish, Springfield; client advocate for the diocesan tribunal;
Catherine Becker, St. Francis Cabrini Parish, Springfield; youth minister;
Carl Corrigan, Christ the King, Springfield; commitment to faithful married life, volunteer at The Marian Center;
Charles Good, Jr., St. Francis Cabrini Parish, Springfield; interfaith dialog and literacy tutor;
Shirley Harrison, St. Joseph Parish, Springfield; intercessory prayer, service at her parish;
Dietgard Hunsley, Mother of Dolores Parish, Vandalia; service to parish and neighbors;
Patricia Klopenburg, St. Augustine, Ashland;
Joelle Murr, St. Agnes Parish, Springfield; service to God through her family, prayer, Bible Study;
Elizabeth Ross, St. Francis de Sales Parish, Moweaqua; food pantry volunteer, prayer;
Michael Ross, St. Francis de Sales Parish, Moweaqua; prayer;
Carol Sipes, St. Mark Parish, Winchester; no commitment statement;
Erica Smith, St. Joseph Parish, Springfield; serving persons who are chronically homeless.
From the Joliet Diocese:
Beverly Emme, St. Joseph Parish, Bradley; liturgical and bereavement ministries;
Joseph Beltz, Our Lady of Mercy, Aurora; theology teacher at Rosary High School;
Susan Brown (Crete), St. Liborius Parish, Steger; ministry at Marian Catholic High School. Two addition Joliet diocese residents made commitment during Mass at Sacred Heart Convent on Sunday, May 13;
David Berg, St. Joseph Parish, Bradley; Eucharistic and hospitality ministry;
Joanne Berg, St. Joseph Parish, Bradley; Eucharistic ministry, visitor to the sick;
From the Chicago archdiocese:
Crystal Cady (Park Forest), St. Agnes Parish, Chicago Heights; religious education teacher.
Baptized Christians of all traditions may be candidates for the Dominican Associate Program. Women seeking vowed membership as sisters are required to be single and Catholic. For more information about becoming a Dominican sister or a Dominican associate call 217-787-0481 or email. DominicanSisters@spdom.org.
