A reflection for the feast of St. Dominic We live in a time of deep division and polarization. Wealth wields power through weapons of war and economic policies. Famine and poverty deny fundamental human rights and dignity. Saint Dominic, whose feast we celebrate today, was no stranger to such realities. He chose the power of […]
Nurturing the kernal of truth Read More »
When our sisters and coworkers at Sacred Heart Convent say “We have your back,” you can count on that. Both sisters and coworkers at the motherhouse look out for one another, providing a safety net in order to ensure positive healthy outcomes and safety for all. Brad Cox, who leads the maintenance and groundskeeping departments
“We have your back” Read More »
By Sister Kathleen Anne Tait, OP The Springfield Dominican Sisters are celebrating 60 years of service to the Peruvian people. In response to a call from Pope John XXIII to send sisters to South America, four sisters volunteered in 1965. Today, native Peruvian Springfield Dominican Sisters serve in Lima and in Jarpa, a rural agricultural
Partners in Mission Read More »
By Brandon Durham I have always enjoyed mowing. My yard is much smaller than the 5 acres I grew up on, so when spring comes it doesn’t take long to cut. The street out front is split by a raised median that is also part of my responsibility to maintain. What is striking about this
Mowing the Grass Stairs: Lessons in Neighborliness Read More »
Sometimes all it takes is an invitation. Do you know a young woman who has a desire to make the world a better place? Who is considerate of others? Who asks insightful questions? Who has a gift for recognizing injustice? Who practices her Catholic faith? Who is attracted to matters of the spirit? Then you
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By Sister Judine Hilbing, OP While leisure can be defined as time spent away from business, work, domestic chores, and education, we simply can’t put it off until all the work is done. We need to take time to care for the mind, body, and spirit by carving out time and space for relaxation. Doing
The public is welcome to open the 2025 Season of Creation by celebrating Mass with the Dominican Sisters at Sacred Heart Convent at 9:00 a.m., Monday, Sept. 1. “This day marks the opening of a month long, global, ecumenical celebration of the gifts of God’s Creation,” said Sister Sharon Zayac, OP, who chairs the Springfield
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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
New card designs from Sister Maristella Read More »
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
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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
Daphne Skretvedt honored for work with United Nations Read More »
Dominican Sisters celebrate longest-lived community member with a sock-hop About the photo: Sister Elise Bocke, second from right, celebrates her birthday with her nephew Joe Bocke, her niece Mary Ann Vahle, and Joe’s wife Janice. Sister Rose Marie Riley, decked out in a ginger wig and sunglasses, emcees the party. Just two months after the
Happy 108th Birthday Sister Elise Bocke! Read More »
Sisters will hold weekly vigil on Monroe Street property, 4:30 each Wednesday beginning June 4. Springfield, Ill.—If you’ve driven the 1200 block of West Monroe or Washington Streets in the neighborhood of Sacred Heart Convent lately, then you’ve likely seen red, white, and blue signs sprouting along the perimeter of the Dominican Sisters’ property between
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
Thank you for supporting our Butterfly Garden Project Read More »
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
“A place of plenty”: Who lived here? Read More »
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
Butterfly Garden is sanctuary for humans and all creation Read More »
