Springfield Dominican Sister Maristella Dunlavy made her mark on Illinois’ civic life decades ago when she was the official calligrapher for the State of Illinois, hand-lettering resolutions for the House and Senate for $10 per piece. Each resolution took about three hours to letter with no “white out” and no errors allowed. Now she spends […]
New card designs from Sister Maristella Read More »
Dominican Sisters celebrate longest-lived community member with a sock-hop About the photo: Sister Elise Bocke, second from right, celebrates her birthday with her nephew Joe Bocke, her niece Mary Ann Vahle, and Joe’s wife Janice. Sister Rose Marie Riley, decked out in a ginger wig and sunglasses, emcees the party. Just two months after the
Happy 108th Birthday Sister Elise Bocke! Read More »
Sisters will hold weekly vigil on Monroe Street property, 4:30 each Wednesday beginning June 4. Springfield, Ill.—If you’ve driven the 1200 block of West Monroe or Washington Streets in the neighborhood of Sacred Heart Convent lately, then you’ve likely seen red, white, and blue signs sprouting along the perimeter of the Dominican Sisters’ property between
About the photo: Chicagoan Sister Marie Michelle Hackett, OP, shares her joy over the announcement of the Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV. When it was evening in Rome, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield were finishing their noon meal in the dining room at Sacred Heart Convent, having heard these encouraging words from their fellow Illinoisan, standing
She will arrive in Rome May 4 for Union of International Superiors General Assembly and 10th Dominican Sisters International Confederation Assembly Conclave to elect successor to Pope Francis likely to coincide with her visit. The superiors of Catholic Sisters’ congregations worldwide generally meeting triennially in Rome, and this is the year. For Dominican sisters
Dominican Sister M. Paul McCaughey travels to Rome—but not for the Conclave Read More »
Mourners welcome to pray virtually at the Motherhouse chapel This story was updated at 9:30 am, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Early this morning the United States awoke to the news that Pope Francis died in Rome about 7:30 a.m. at Casa Marta, his residence in Rome. The Dominican Sisters of Springfield, like so many others,
Dominican Sisters Reflect on Pope Francis’ Life and Legacy Read More »
There is life after amputation, and perhaps no better proof-of-concept than Mike Tanner, a part-time receptionist at Sacred Heart Convent. “I rode a motorcycle for eight years with my first amputation,” he said. “Once, all the way to Sturgis, South Dakota.” Mike lost his left leg from complications of diabetes in 2014, and nine years
Sacred Heart Convent Coworkers Establish Peer Support Group for Persons with Limb Loss Read More »
Last evening, just as we sisters were getting ready to turn out the lights, I heard Sister Kelly’s muffled voice through my closed door: “Pope Francis is dead.” Jumping up, I joined her in the hallway, and we looked together at the social media post on her phone screen. “I think this is fake,” she
Do you know how to spot fake news? Read More »
Four public tours on schedule; private group tours also available Enjoy an intimate look at the Dominican Sisters’ magnificent mid-century modern chapel. Springfield, Ill.—Visitors will have four opportunities to tour the renowned art and architecture of Sacred Heart Convent Chapel in 2025. The convent chapel, completed in 1968, is one of Springfield’s’ most significant examples
2025 Chapel tour dates scheduled Read More »
Focus on Guatemala, DRC, Philippines, Solomon Islands, a collaborative project of Dominicans Worldwide The annual report of Dominicans for Justice and Peace, published recently, is a window into the global collaborative work of the Order of Preachers. Among the accomplishments of this organization, which serves the Order as the Permanent Delegation to the United Nations,
Dominican justice NGO publishes 2023 report Read More »
Sister Patricia’s ServicesVisitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., Thursday, July 18, 2024, Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704. Visitation will begin with a prayer service. Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel. . Livestream Visitation prayer service and Mass of Christian Burial will livestream from
Sister Patricia Stark, OP Read More »
Pilgrims expected at 11:30 a.m. July 11. Springfield, Ill.—Organizers for the national Eucharistic Pilgrimage passing through Mr. Lincoln’s hometown on July 11 have said we can expect the pilgrims to arrive at Sacred Heart Convent, the Dominican motherhouse at 1237 W. Monroe St, between 11:30 and Noon that day. To join the pilgrimage at Sacred
Eucharistic Pilgrimage Stops at Sacred Heart Convent Read More »
Springfield, Ill.—The Springfield Dominican Sisters’ leadership team, elected last April during general chapter, began a five-year term of service last week after their formal installation during Mass at Sacred Heart Convent here on Saturday, June 15. During a brief, moving ritual, Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, the outgoing prioress general, formally questioned Sister M. Paul McCaughey,
Mission and Truth: New Springfield Dominican Sisters leadership team takes office Read More »
Dominican Sisters of Springfield set direction for coming years General chapter focuses on interculturality, collaborative Dominican future “For the life of the World” Springfield, Ill.—During a week of prayerful conversation and contemplative deliberation, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield on April 5, 2024, affirmed a chapter statement in which they agreed to respond to the needs
Sister Gabriella Luebbers was one of eleven children of Herman and Margaret Luebbers. She was raised on the family farm in Carlyle, Ill. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Carlyle and earned her high school diploma after joining the Dominican Sisters in Springfield, Ill. When she arrived on the doorstep at Sacred Heart Convent
