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. …
Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network (SIAN) Calls City to Stand Together and Strengthen Immigrant Support As members of the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network (SIAN), the Springfield Dominican Sisters join the call to all community organizers, faith, civic organizations, and advocates and partners in the city to stand with local immigrants and refugees as Immigrant and Customs …
Sisters Join SIAN;
Call for Solidarity
With Local Immigrants Read More »
This is one of life’s challenges: When we realize the magnitude of danger facing humanity and Earth because of climate change, it seems sensible to hide under the covers rather than get out of bed. When we notice our values and freedoms being eroded everyday by people who purport to protect them, it is easiest …
How to Avoid the Paralysis Trap:
What to do when you think
You can’t do anything Read More »
Sister Marcelline Koch, OP, during the January 2019 Associate Candidate session, “Catholic Social Teaching” examining the parts of Luke 4:18 in detail. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of …
This story was first published in the Fall 2018 edition of JUST Words. Passions for justice Among my Springfield Dominican Sisters there are many varied passions for justice. A quick review of the community directory brings to mind certain sisters who are passionate about or ministerialy engaged with the following concerns: immigration reform access to …
Seeking the Global Common Good:
Seeing, Connecting, and Sustaining
Life-giving Change Read More »
Today is International Migrants Day. People are fleeing record violence in Central America, crossing thousands of miles in nearly unimaginable conditions to seek asylum in the United States. We can respect their right to migrate and welcome them while having a secure border. The militarization of the southern border is a waste of taxpayer dollars …
