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 […]
Pope Francis Visits Iraq:
March 5-8, 2021 Read More »
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
Racial Justice: Claiming Our Oneness in Christ Read More »
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
Peace must Prevail Read More »
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 »
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
Why a 30-Year Call
for Closing SOA/WHINSEC? Read More »
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 »
Springfield Dominican Sister Marcelline Koch, OP, was a signatory to a statement by the International Dominican Commission for Justice and Peace about taking action to counter climate change. The statement went out to the global Dominican Family highlighting the extreme consequences if no action is taken: droughts, mass migrations, and strange weather phenomena. The statement
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
SIAN Honored for Defending Human Rights Read More »
A Statement of Solidarity with the Victims of ICE Raids in Mississippi from the Leadership of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois August 12, 2019 En español. In solidarity with the immigrant families of Mississippi, we cry out, as our Sister Catherine of Siena has exhorted us to do, with “a thousand voices” in recognition
We Cry Out: Solidarity with
Mississippi ICE Raid Victims Read More »
Declaración de solidaridad con las víctimas de las redadas de ICE en Mississippi el 7 de agosto del 2019 por el Liderazgo de las Hermanas Dominicas de Springfield 12 de agosto del 2019 En Inglés. En solidaridad con las familias inmigrantes de Mississippi, clamamos con “mil voces” como nuestra Hermana Catalina de Siena nos ha exhortado
Declaración de solidaridad
con las víctimas de las redadas
de ICE en Mississippi Read More »
Call for Compassion, Understanding, and an End to Practices that Create Fear Springfield, Ill.— “In recognition of the rights and dignity of children and families frightened and separated during the ICE raids on August 7, 2019” the leadership of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, “cry out” in solidarity compassion, and support. The sisters offer
Dominican Sisters Leadership
In Solidarity with Mississippi ICE Raid Victims Read More »
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.
A Beacon of Hope at Jubilee Farm Read More »
