“Let the Call Be Heard!” Associates in Action
Three hundred fifty-one active associates, eighty-one prayer associates and eighteen candidates in formation have heard the call to partner with the Springfield Dominicans in uncovering the light and truth of the Gospel in the world. Their Mission calls Associates to proclaim God’s Word with their daily lives. This year, associates and sisters are studying an article by Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister, Let the Call Be Heard. Sister Joan speaks of the importance of sharing a community’s charism in […]
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Snowstorm + Sisters + Coworkers = FUN!
Alyssa Regan, switchboard supervisor at Sacred Heart Convent, has two little boys at home she knew would be excited about getting out in the mammoth snowstorm that was scheduled for the weekend. Could that explain her brainstorm? Why not have a snow-person making contest for the sisters and their coworkers? What a brilliant idea! The sisters and coworkers have begun! Poor Cubbies… Cubs fans, or no? Sister Charmaine and Barb Tanner Hands down favorite–so far! Understated & […]
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Dominican Religious Life: An Historical Perspective
This article by Sister Susan Karina Dickey, OP, first appeared in the Fall 2017 JUST Words under the title Rehabilitating Dominican Religious Life: An Historical Perspective. Something new One of the memorable things about St. Dominic was his willingness to try something new while borrowing and adapting from the past. For example, the idea of preachers other than bishops was an innovation. We cannot know if Dominic saw himself as an innovator, but 800 years later we frame […]
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Top Ten Stories of 2018
What an amazing year 2018 was. Looking back there were so many ups and downs it is hard to believe that some of the events happened only in 2018. Here is a list of our top ten stories in order of engagement by you over the entire year. Sister Mary Jo Acquires Fame on the Internet for her First Pitch at a Major League Game “My goal is to just inspire young people to do their best and […]
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Transform Your Life: Sing Mary’s Song
This essay was originally published on Sunday December 30, 2018, in the Springfield State Journal-Register Beliefs column for which Sister Beth Murphy writes regularly. For many of us, January 1 has become unmoored from the faith context of Christmas. It’s New Year’s Day, of course, and holds a sense of promise and fresh start that can renew everyone’s spirits this time of year. For sports fans it’s Bowl Game Day, serving to rally friends and family around a […]
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Grieving at Christmastime? That’s okay.
Grief is part of life, but when we grieve while it seems the world is rejoicing, the pain and loneliness can seem that much more acute. Here are three ways to help get yourself or a loved one through a sad time at Christmastime. Go low key. If you don’t feel like a Christmas season with all the trimmings, that is okay, too. Do what you can do, or want to do, to honor the season. Don’t worry […]
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International Migrants Day
Today is International Migrants Day. People are fleeing record violence in Central America, crossing thousands of miles in nearly unimaginable conditions to seek asylum in the United States. We can respect their right to migrate and welcome them while having a secure border. The militarization of the southern border is a waste of taxpayer dollars and the money spent does not making us any safer. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin asked the officials at the ports of entry what […]
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“People are Frightened for their Children”
An NPR Illinois Interview with Sister Marcelline Koch. Sister Marcelline Koch, standing center, above, invites US citizens to do two things when it comes to grasping what’s happening at the US-Mexico border: See the immigrants as people who are frightened for their children. Do the analysis necessary to understand why mothers and fathers are compelled to flee their homes with their children. Listen to this interview Sister Marcelline gave to NPR Illinois reporter Daisy Contreras last week from […]
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