“If you can’t breathe nothing else matters” says a friend of the Dominican Sisters who is a respiratory therapist. Other physiological needs are equally important. If you can’t breathe, if you are physically hungry, if you are cold, tired, and without shelter, there is little else you can be attentive to. When needs for safety, …
Feeding Hungers: A Catholic Sisters Week Reflection Read More »
For many years the world-wide Dominican Family has had representatives at the United Nations, in New York and Geneva, to amplify the voices of the people we accompany in every corner of the globe. Later this month, at the end of the two-week annual UN assembly of the Commission on the Status of Women, the …
Dominican Women at the United Nations: Changing the Narrative One Story at a Time Read More »
School faculty in Qaraqosh, Iraq, 2018. It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq, planned for March 5-8, 2021. A prayer composed for the occasion asks for blessings on Pope Francis’ efforts to promote dialogue, reconciliation, peace, and human dignity. To this end, during the 3-day journey visits are scheduled …
It was in September 2003 when our Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee first shared a resource unit on human trafficking with our sisters. In the years since then, I’ve heard and read many stories of exploitation and violence related to the sale and trading of human beings that seem unbelievable in their total …
“A Girl Can Be Sold Over and Over…” the Haunting Truth about Human Trafficking Read More »
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Catholic Sisters are at the forefront of the struggle to prevent human trafficking and defend the dignity of 40.3 million people who are in forced labor, forced marriage, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude worldwide. Here are Five things to know about Catholic Sisters’ work to prevent …
Five things to know about Catholic Sisters and Human Trafficking Read More »
Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP, prioress general of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, preached at the first of a series of Evening Prayer & Preaching events scheduled at Sacred Heart Convent for 2020. Learn more here. Her text was Philippians 2:1-11. Peter Scazzero, the author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, is quoted as saying, “Jesus may …
Statement on United States Engagement with Iran The U.S. Dominican Iraq Coordinating Committee calls upon the United States Government to de-escalate tensions with Iran In the midst of the sacred days of the Christmas-Epiphany season, our hearts and minds have contemplated the promised hope of God’s coming peace. Yet, during these days, we have also …
Springfield Dominican Sister Marcelline Koch signed statement, calls for de-escalation of tensions with Iran Springfield, Ill.—Promoters of Justice for Dominican Sisters and Brothers nationwide call upon the U.S. Government to forgo “violent rhetoric and preparations for retaliatory attacks” against Iran. A statement released yesterday, on the Feast of Epiphany, says it is “critical that the …
Forgo Violent Rhetoric, Break Cycle of Violence With Iran Read More »
Peruvian Dominican theologian Sister Mila Diaz Solano provides a bridge for understanding I was born Catholic, my parents are Catholic, my grandparents, and great-grant parents were Catholics as well. I grew up in very Christian, committed family and before I joined my Dominican sisters, I was an active parishioner in my hometown city, La Oroya, …
Sister Marcelline Koch Signs National Call To Keep U.S. in Global Agreement About the photo: Dominicans at COP25. From left, Sister Cecilia Espinella, Laurence Blattmer, Sister Marcella Zambrano, Father Xavier Gomez. A strongly-worded letter to delegates attending this week’s UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid includes the signature of Springfield Dominican Sister Marcelline Koch, who …
Dominican Justice Promoters: Oppose U.S. Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement Read More »
Springfield Dominican Sisters Pat Stark, Georgiana Stubner, and Marcelline Koch were joined by other Dominican Sisters and hundreds more people at Fort Benning, Georgia, Nov. 16-17 to participate in a vigil at the gates of the fort where for nearly 30 years the faith-based SOA Watch has worked to end training programs for Latin American …
Among 1300 Catholic Sisters Nationwide to raise voices against harmful climate policies The leaders of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield join the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in expressing dismay over the start of the Trump Administration’s formal withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, signed on to by nearly 200 nations in 2015. Echoing …
Springfield Dominican Leadership Expresses Dismay over U.S.
Pull-out of Climate Agreement Read More »
Sister Marcelline Koch, OP was one of the signatories of a statement by the International Dominican Commission for Justice and Peace about taking action to counter climate change. The statement went out to all the Dominican communities noting the extreme possibility if no action is taken: droughts, migrations, strange weather phenomena. The statement gives a proposed …
Climate Justice: A Statement by Justice and Peace Leaders You Need to Read Read More »
Assisting and advocating for immigrants in Springfield The volunteer labor of area citizens, including several Springfield Dominican Sisters, our partners and associates, was honored Sept. 21 with an award that recognized the importance of supporting human rights. The Springfield Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union honored the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network with its 2019 …
Who was there: Row 1: Roy Williams, Veronica Espina, Patricia Kloppenburg, Sister Marcelline Koch; Row 2: Sarah Scheufele, Anne Hilofsky, Sister Sharon Zayac, Sister Simone Campbell, Sister Mila Díaz Solano, Ana Manrique, Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma; Row 3: Leahy Bennet, Teresa Bennet, Dave Steward, John Freml, Sister Elizabeth Wrenn, Jim Dixon, Wesley McNeese, Erica Smith. …
