New card designs from Sister Maristella
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 part of her day designing cards meant to uplift and inspire. Eleven new cards, in addition to her previous designs, are available now […]
Read MoreJoin Catholic Sisters nationwide in prayer for a more just and compassionate world
Springfield, Ill.- The Dominican Sisters of Springfield will participate in a national movement of prayer, fasting, and advocacy for a more just and compassionate world on Wednesday, July 23. Everyone is welcome to join them. The Dominicans are joining Catholic sisters from around the nation. Each congregation has selected a day to participate in this national effort. “By choosing a day to focus our desires for a more just and compassionate world, we heighten our awareness and sense […]
Read MoreDaphne Skretvedt honored for work with United Nations
Daphne Skretvedt , a Dominican Associate since 2002, was recently crowned “queen” at a party of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR) in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday June 20, 2025. Alejandro Henning, the Director of Human Resources during Daphne’s tenure, graciously combined the annual retirement party with a reunion of those UN field workers who served with Daphne and were served by Daphne. A definite highlight of the evening was Daphne’s remarks to her former co-workers in […]
Read MoreThank you for supporting our Butterfly Garden Project
We are Grateful! Thank you for bringing new life to our campus and being a constant support of our sisters! Your gift will truly create an urban jewel for our sisters, neighborhood and city! Your gift will help us: plant a privacy hedge along Washington street; purchase pollinator-attracting shrubs and perennial flowers; create a place for sisters to pray and students to learn. Thank you again for your investment in this project to diversify life on the Siena […]
Read More“A place of plenty”: Who lived here?
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 Potawatomi who loaned us their word for the name of the county. According to Athens, Ill., resident George Godfrey, a member of the […]
Read MoreButterfly Garden is sanctuary for humans and all creation
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 garden is a place to find solace and delight. Whether our sisters and visitors are looking for a place for comfort, contemplation, or […]
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