Dominican Friars Elect
First Asian Master General
On July 13, 2019, the Order of Preachers welcomed the 87th successor of St. Dominic de Guzman, in the person of Father Gerard Francisco Parco Timoner III, OP, a member of the Dominican Province of the Philippines and first Asian Master of the Order. The election took place during the Elective General Chapter of the men’s branch of the Dominican Family held in Bien Hoa, Vietnam. This was the first General Chapter for the Dominican men held in […]
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Three Things You Can Do to Help People in Detention on the U.S.-Mexico Border
Every day we learn more about the appalling conditions facing children, women, and men in detention centers along our southern border. The situation is unconscionable. If you are like me, you might feel overwhelmed and paralyzed by the images of children and adults housed in overcrowded filthy conditions, conditions that fail to respect their dignity as persons. Please do not look away. You can help. Tell your members of Congress you support legislation to provide emergency funding for […]
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Exploring the Feast:
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
The feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart was May 25. When our sisters moved to Springfield from Jacksonville in 1893, the new convent was named the Convent of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and we became known as the Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. So you could say May 25 is our patronal feast day. This obscure title of Mary has long intrigued me, so I offer this short reflection. Every […]
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How to Avoid the Paralysis Trap:
What to do when you think
You can’t do anything
This is one of life’s challenges: When we realize the magnitude of danger facing humanity and Earth because of climate change, it seems sensible to hide under the covers rather than get out of bed. When we notice our values and freedoms being eroded everyday by people who purport to protect them, it is easiest to joke about seeking asylum across our northern border. When we face news stories about the in human treatment of children, women, and […]
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Izzy Farris Spends “Gap” Time with Sisters in Peru
Isabella “Izzy” Farris wasn’t keen on jumping from Sacred Heart-Griffin High School into college, so she made a deal with her parents, Blanca and Steve. They agreed that she could delay college if she filled the bulk of the year with meaningful, life-stretching service. Her first stop was Tanzania, where she gave five months of service at St. Nicholaus Children’s Center in the Bukoba Catholic Diocese. Then after a few months back in Springfield, in May she flew […]
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Blanca Farris:
Monthly Giving is
“Thanks-giving”
Blanca and Steve Farris with their daughter Isabella, top, center, and Springfield Dominican Sister Beatríz Vila Alania at the Farris home in 2018. Blanca Farris partners with the Springfield Dominicans as a “Bearer of the Flame” because she values memories of the Dominican Sisters who’ve influenced her family life through the years, prompting her to “give back” through a monthly donation. “Sister Lenore and Sister Marie Andre mentored my strong-willed, protective, and outspoken daughter during her junior high […]
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Sister Mary Lawrence Green, OP
Sister M. Lawrence’s Services Visitation: 4:00 p.m.—6:15 p.m., Thursday, June 20, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, 1237 W. Monroe St. in Springfield. Visitation begins with a prayer service. Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 20, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Dominican Fathers Peter Witchousky, celebrant. Morning Prayer, Remembering, and Final Commendation: 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 21, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel. Burial follows at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, […]
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Meet the New Leadership Team
(l to r) Sister Rose Miriam Schulte, Sister Marie Michelle Hackett, Sister Mila Díaz Solano, Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma. These sisters have accepted the responsibility of animating for the next five years our congregational response to the General Chapter. Congratulations and thank you for your service! Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP Sister Rose Miriam Schulte, OP Sister Mila Diaz Solano, OP Sister Marie Michelle Hackett, OP Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP Sister Rebecca Ann has been in a […]
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