The first residents of the land that will become our butterfly garden were likely, well—butterflies—and many other winged, and multi-footed species who thrived in the Eastern Deciduous Forest biome that makes up much of Sangamon County. The first two-legged caretakers were likely the Kickapoo, members of the Illiniwek Confederation, or Potawatomi people. It was the […]
“A place of plenty”: Who lived here? Read More »
Donate to the Butterfly Garden Here “In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends.” ― Kakuzō Okakura The butterfly garden will be a sanctuary for humans and all creation, an unending source of spiritual renewal, and a place that creates a sense of social well-being for all who visit. Last but not least, the
Butterfly Garden is sanctuary for humans and all creation Read More »
Donate to the Butterfly Garden A growing body of research indicates that urban green spaces benefit people and Earth by improving physical and mental health, increasing social wellbeing, reducing crime, and curbing the hazards of climate change. Is there a spiritual dividend as well? “The world will be saved by beauty,” Catholic Worker founder Dorothy
Butterfly Garden offers green urban space and beauty for all Read More »
Spirituality is “the lifestyle of faith” according to the theologian Tomas Halik. “It is the sap of the tree of faith.”—a fitting description for this garden we are creating, a place where our spirits—and our spiritualities—can soar as we contemplate the greatness of the Creator. “Every creature is a book about God,” This is what
Spirituality: Every creature is a book about God Read More »
Springfield, Ill. — A commitment ceremony for the 2025 Springfield Dominican Associate class was held at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel on Sunday, May 4, 2025. During the homily of the Mass Father Robert Kelly, OP, chaplain for the Dominican Sisters, thanked the associates for their commitment and preached on Sunday’s Gospel from John about the
New Associates Make Commitment at Sacred Heart Convent Read More »
Spirituality is “the lifestyle of faith” according to the theologian Tomas Halik. “It is the sap of the tree of faith.”—a fitting description for this garden we are creating, a place where our spirits—and our spiritualities—can soar as we contemplate the greatness of the Creator. “Every creature is a book about God,” This is what
Creation’s sanctuary Read More »
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. Jn 20:1 Usually, I prefer to focus on the resurrection and all the signs of new life that springtime brings in the northern hemisphere.
Resurrection happens in the midst of darkness Read More »
For giving so much of herself to St. Edward school and for “keeping the Springfield Dominican tradition of educating our children for service and mission,” Sister Marie Michelle Hackett was honored with the “Heart of St. Edward” award by the Chicago parish at their annual Big Red Gala on April 5. Sisters Mila Díaz Solano,
Sister Marie Michelle honored for service at St. Edward School Read More »
The Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois 2024 donor report has been added to our website. The Dominican Sisters have been busy working diligently to make a difference in the lives of those we serve across our missions. Click here to view the donor report.
Dominican Sisters Donor Report 2024 Read More »
The above photo are Sisters Judith Hilbing, Adele Human and Anita Cleary after loading up their vehicle and leaving for the airport. Sister Judith Hilbing receives a hug from her sister, Sister Judine Hilbing before leaving for Peru. For sixty years the lives of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield have been bound to the lives
Celebrating ministry milestones in Peru Read More »
Sister Alverna Hollis was a gifted artist, and, by all accounts, a serious—and wicked—tennis player. She taught elementary school for 13 years, and high school for another eight years. While teaching at Routt High School in Jacksonville, she was invited to consider learning sign language by a parishioner who worked at the Illinois School for
Sister Alverna’s ministry for the deaf trailblazes new path Read More »
As the child of a peripatetic military family, Sister Sharon spent her youth on U.S. military bases around the world. She joined the Dominican Sisters from Sacred Heart Parish, Redlands, Calif. Then she taught junior high and high school for about twenty years before transitioning to healthcare administration. She worked for about a combined dozen
CSW 2025 Sister Sharon Zayac: Redefining the narrative Read More »
“The measure of our courage is the measure of our willingness to embrace disappointment, acknowledge the wounds it causes, and rather than retreat from further participation, keep on insisting on what is good and possible for the world. In other words, hope.” Theologian Elizabeth Johnson shared these words as part of her presentation to the
Reflection on our Year Three LSAP Plan Read More »
At. St. Dominic’s well, Caleruega, Spain. Sister Mila Diáz Solano joined the Dominican Sisters of Springfield in her hometown of LaOroya Peru, in 1998 and has since been instrumental in elevating the voices of persons not often heard in the U.S. Church, where she now lives and teaches. At. St. Dominic’s well, Caleruega, Spain. In
#LikeaCatholicSister: Sister Mila Díaz Solano Read More »
Josephine Meagher: Immigrant. Orphan. Dominican. Founder. Forged in displacement, suffering, and grief. Click to enlarge On this first day of Catholic Sisters Week—also International Women’s Day—we honor one of our founding sisters and celebrate her remarkable courage, which became the foundation and inspiration of more than 150 years of Dominican life. Though details are incomplete,
Pioneering Courage: Sister Josephine Meagher, OP Read More »
