How did we get here? Power, Shame—and at Long Last, Mercy
This essay was first published in the August 26, 2018 edition of the Springfield State Journal-Register, in the Beliefs column, for which Sister Beth Murphy writes regularly. How many tears have been spilled over the latest scandal in the Catholic Church? It is deeply disturbing, painful beyond imagining, to think of the thousands of children who’ve suffered at the hands of clerical abusers. What frightens me most is this: I don’t think there is something especially toxic in […]
Read More“This Wound in the Body of Christ”
Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Speak Out Pennsylvania grand jury report leaves Catholic Sisters “sickened and ashamed” Springfield, Ill.—Today the leadership of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield released a statement addressing the scathing report from the Pennsylvania grand jury regarding the extent and brutality of clergy abuse of minors and the bishops’ cover-up of the crimes. In conjunction with a comprehensive statement from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), which follows, the Springfield Dominican Sisters’ statement reads: [box] […]
Read MoreFaith Matters for Sunday, August 19, 2018
“Brothers and sisters, watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil.” These words from the letter to the Ephesians cause us to stop in our tracks. These are not words we want to hear from our God. We look, instead, for a message of love and compassion, for we all feel the need for comfort in these difficult days. Yet there are times […]
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2018 Faith Camp Largest in Recent Memory
The largest group of Dominican Faith Campers in recent memory enjoyed a fun and faith-filled three days at Sacred Heart Convent July 8-10. Twenty-four junior high school girls were matched up with a “Sister Buddy” at Sacred Heart Convent, where the camp was held. The sisters prayed for the campers and their families, and on one special day the campers sat with their Sister Buddies during morning prayer and Mass, and at dinner enjoyed […]
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“Begging to come back”—The Difference Sisters can make in Young Lives
“They were scared to come to the convent,” said Susie Williams about her daughters Lexi and Abby. “But after their first visit they were begging me to come back.” Susie and her daughters aren’t Catholic and had no experience with Catholic sisters until Susie started cooking at Sacred Heart Convent, the Dominican Sisters’ motherhouse in Springfield, Ill. A few months later the girls’ father died. Susie thought enrolling her daughters in Dominican Faith Camp, a summer experience for […]
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Dominican Sisters Praise Declaration on "Inadmissibility" of Death Penalty
End of Death Penalty, Mandated by Pope Francis, is sign of Evolving Human Consciousness Springfield, Ill.—In 1999 the Dominican Sisters of Springfield spoke out against the death penalty in an official, congregationally approved document called a corporate stance. Today they rejoice in the fruit of their prayer and advocacy with the announcement by the Vatican that Pope Francis has authorized a change to the Catechism of the Catholic Church which now states, “the death penalty is inadmissible because […]
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A Place in the Chapel
by Sister Kathleen Anne Tait, OP, Director of Mission Advancement, Dominican Sisters of Springfield The light streaming through the windows of our motherhouse chapel radiates the warmth of God’s love. That light also reminds us of the generations of sisters and associates and friends who have prayed in this space and discovered that love. Today we set the stage for future generations, guiding them with Christian values like upholding human dignity, creating a more just world, and caring […]
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Gozo | Joy
Dios Misericordioso de la Abundancia, eres tú quien llena mis días y noches de gozo. Como las estrellas que llenan el cielo nocturno de belleza y maravilla, llenas mis días de una alegría electrizante y tranquila. El ángel proclamó a los pastores en Belén: “Les traigo buenas nuevas de gran gozo que vendrán a todo el pueblo”, así que ahora reclamo ese gozo como el mío. (Lucas 2:10) En el momento de su bautismo Jesús escuchó las palabras: […]
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