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 »
By Cynthia Gallo Callan Cynthia Gallo Callan, is a Springfield Dominican Associate who works for the Diocese of Springfield. “Change is the only constant” is an expression that sometimes keeps people afloat. It has spun over the generations and is widely accepted as the norm. But sometimes change comes too fast and furious, and when
Medicaid fulfills a Gospel Mandate Read More »
Donate to the Butterfly Garden A growing body of research indicates that urban green spaces benefit people and Earth by improving physical and mental health, increasing social wellbeing, reducing crime, and curbing the hazards of climate change. Is there a spiritual dividend as well? “The world will be saved by beauty,” Catholic Worker founder Dorothy
Butterfly Garden offers green urban space and beauty for all Read More »
About the photo: Chicagoan Sister Marie Michelle Hackett, OP, shares her joy over the announcement of the Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV. When it was evening in Rome, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield were finishing their noon meal in the dining room at Sacred Heart Convent, having heard these encouraging words from their fellow Illinoisan, standing
Spirituality is “the lifestyle of faith” according to the theologian Tomas Halik. “It is the sap of the tree of faith.”—a fitting description for this garden we are creating, a place where our spirits—and our spiritualities—can soar as we contemplate the greatness of the Creator. “Every creature is a book about God,” This is what
Spirituality: Every creature is a book about God Read More »
Springfield, Ill. — A commitment ceremony for the 2025 Springfield Dominican Associate class was held at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel on Sunday, May 4, 2025. During the homily of the Mass Father Robert Kelly, OP, chaplain for the Dominican Sisters, thanked the associates for their commitment and preached on Sunday’s Gospel from John about the
New Associates Make Commitment at Sacred Heart Convent Read More »
Spirituality is “the lifestyle of faith” according to the theologian Tomas Halik. “It is the sap of the tree of faith.”—a fitting description for this garden we are creating, a place where our spirits—and our spiritualities—can soar as we contemplate the greatness of the Creator. “Every creature is a book about God,” This is what
Creation’s sanctuary Read More »
Family-friendly public prayer 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 4, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel All are welcome. The Dominican Sisters will welcome guests to join them in honoring and celebrating the life of Pope Francis, who died April 21 at the age of 88 after serving as the successor of St. Peter for twelve years. Family-friendly and
Pilgrims of Hope: Honoring Pope Francis Read More »
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. Jn 20:1 Usually, I prefer to focus on the resurrection and all the signs of new life that springtime brings in the northern hemisphere.
Resurrection happens in the midst of darkness Read More »
She will arrive in Rome May 4 for Union of International Superiors General Assembly and 10th Dominican Sisters International Confederation Assembly Conclave to elect successor to Pope Francis likely to coincide with her visit. The superiors of Catholic Sisters’ congregations worldwide generally meeting triennially in Rome, and this is the year. For Dominican sisters
Dominican Sister M. Paul McCaughey travels to Rome—but not for the Conclave Read More »
