Taking in the news: Dominican Sisters respond to the election of first U.S. Pope, Chicagoan Robert Prevost, OSA
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 on the balcony at the Vatican, Robert Prevost, OSA, now known to the world at Pope Leo XIV: “Let us keep in our […]
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Spirituality: Every creature is a book about God
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 our Dominican ancestor and mystic Meister Eckhart said. So, as Sister Rose Marie Riley, prioress at Sacred Heart Convent, notes in this video, […]
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New Associates Make Commitment at Sacred Heart Convent
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 disciples fishing after the resurrection and hearing the risen Christ calling to them from the shore. He wondered whether they went fishing, in […]
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Creation’s sanctuary
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 our Dominican ancestor and mystic Meister Eckhart said. So, as Sister Rose Marie Riley, prioress at Sacred Heart Convent, notes in this video, […]
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Pilgrims of Hope: Honoring Pope Francis
Family-friendly public prayer 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 4, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel All are welcome. The Dominican Sisters will welcome guests to join them in honoring and celebrating the life of Pope Francis, who died April 21 at the age of 88 after serving as the successor of St. Peter for twelve years. Family-friendly and open to guests of all faiths, this 30-minute service will be a joyful remembrance of the gift of Pope Francis to the Church […]
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Resurrection happens in the midst of darkness
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. This year I’m pondering (read “caught in the midst of”) circumstances that lead to resurrection. Resurrection happens in the midst of darkness. While […]
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Dominican Sister M. Paul McCaughey travels to Rome—but not for the Conclave
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 in leadership, that means two back-to-back gatherings: The assemblies of the Union of International Superiors General (UISG) and the Dominican Sisters International Confederation […]
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Dominican Sisters Reflect on Pope Francis’ Life and Legacy
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, have held Pope Francis in prayer since his illness and hospitalization in February. Today they opened a livestream from Sacred Heart Convent Chapel […]
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