The first-of-its-kind By Sister Kathleen Anne Tait, OP Chris Knight’s most memorable times as a child were when “the sisters” came to visit. When the word got around they were coming, the Kniery family of ten shifted into full-preparation mode, readying their home in Bloomington, Ill., for the arrival of their mother’s aunt, Sister Monica […]
“An exceptional outpouring of love and faith” Read More »
By Sisters M. Clare Fichtner, OP, and Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP Walk with us, please, into Sacred Heart Convent Chapel. You will notice several things all at once. First, you are reminded of how spacious God is. Then, you are aware of being wrapped in the simple beauty of concrete, colored glass, wood, and untold
A general chapter retrospective: 25 years of obedient listening Read More »
By Dave Sanders “I shall be more useful to you and more fruitful after my death than I was in my life,” promised St. Dominic from his deathbed. Gifted at comforting the suffering, he spoke these final words to give strength and peace to the distraught followers at his bedside; those he was leaving to
Lessons for life from St. Dominic Read More »
By Sister Catherine Stewart, OP Throughout our lives, we have multiple experiences of endings and beginnings. We are reminded of this as we daily enjoy sunrises and sunsets. When a new opportunity presents itself, we pause and ask “Am I ready for a new experience?” Most of us, “Just know it’s time to start something
What do you do when you are ready for a fresh start? Read More »
By Margaret Lombe, PhD. My reflection centers on my engagement, along with six students from Boston University School of Social Work (BU-SSW), with refugees in Kenya: dignified-citizens-turned-objects-of-charity by conflict and civil unrest. The largest refugee camp in the world, called Kakuma, lies on the edge of the Sahara Desert in northwestern Kenya. Kakuma holds about
Walking backward: Seeking common ground in a Kenyan refugee camp Read More »
These four friends tell us how they stay present when tensions flare Ann Garrido: Remaining in conversation It has not been easy! Even though I regularly offer workshops on managing challenging conversations, I still find it difficult to be in the middle of them myself! What keeps me “hanging in there” is an experience I
Diverse thoughts about divisive conversations Read More »
By Sister Sharon Zayac, OP “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” ~ Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities Dickens could
“The joy of our hope” Read More »
A sister and an associate talk about their ministry in cross-cultural settings By Carolyn White Indigenous Americans Sister Barbara Bogenschutz recently returned to Fort Belknap Reservation, Mont., where she first began her ministry among Native Americans in 1999. Since then, she also served as a pastoral leader among the Anishinaabe at Red Cliff, Wisc., and
Reflections on cross-cultural ministry Read More »
Sisters Kristin Crawford and Sharon Zayac received their certification in permaculture design through Midwest Permaculture, located in Stelle, Ill. They completed a 72-hour online course, which included project work. The project is a permaculture design for an area at Jubilee Farm where they are creating a “permagarden.”
Certified in Permaculture Design Read More »
Father Timothy Radcliffe, Master of the Order of Preachers 1992-2001, once famously said that the nature of Dominican governance means elected leaders are peacocks one day and feather dusters the next. With that in mind, the outgoing leadership team was, on the last day of their term, June 14, presented with dusters and aprons during
From peacock to feather duster Read More »
Our sisters preach in many ways. Our magazine, JUST Words, is one example. Our preaching mission—bequeathed to us by the founder of the Order of Preachers, St. Dominic—takes on many forms. Especially in this time of technological advance, there are many ways to share the gospel with the world! Our magazine, JUST Words, is one great example
Our magazine JUST Words is preaching the Gospel Read More »
The Dominican Sisters of Springfield are one of nineteen congregations of sisters in the Dominican Sisters Conference with a presence in the U.S. Fourteen of these congregations are participants in contemplative discernment and conversation about a future for the Dominican mission in the United States. This is what the 2024 Chapter Statement means by collaborative
A visual guide to the Dominican Family in the U.S. Read More »
The “listeners” reflect on general chapter Sisters Susan Karina Dickey, left and Sharon Zayac read the responses from chapter participants. JUST Words invited the sisters who served as listeners during General Chapter to talk about their experience. We edited the conversation into a Q&A format to capture their insights. Sister Susan Karina Dickey is vice-president
Recognizing who we are together Read More »
Las “escritoras” reflexionan sobre el capítulo general JUST Words invitó a las hermanas que sirvieron como oyentes y, en última instancia, escritoras de la declaración del capítulo general de 2024, a hablar sobre su experiencia. Esta conversación editada captura sus ideas. La hermana Susan Karina Dickey es vicepresidenta de la oficina de integración de la
Reconocer quiénes somos juntos Read More »
A religious community’s general chapter, like the one we just completed in April, is, ultimately, a commitment of the sisters to do their part and do what is needed for others. A chapter also requires prayer, contemplative dialog, and direction-setting for the coming five years. Ultimately it boils down to each sister doing her part
Doing our part…Doing what needs to be done Read More »
