“Even if you are just a little bit curious, you are welcome,” said Sister Denise Glazik about eleven upcoming opportunities for single Catholic women to explore religious life.
The sisters have planned six in-person Come & See weekends and five virtual events, called "Zoom & See" weekends, from September 2023 through December 2024. Single Catholic women ages 21-45 are welcome to register for any, or more than one, of each event.
These events serve several purposes. They provide women who are curious about religious life a brief immersion in the day-to-day lives of the sisters. They help the women develop skills for their own prayer and discernment. And they give women who may feel alone an opportunity to meet others who share their desire to seek a deeper relationship with God through consecrated religious life.
There is no cost to the participants for either the in-person or virtual events, though those who travel to Springfield are responsible for their transportation expenses. Each weekend event begins on Friday evening and concludes on Sunday afternoon.
“Coming to a weekend gives women an opportunity to explore and the space to ponder and pray. It’s really a great introduction to our Dominican life.”
Women who join the sisters in person will experience a balance of time for interaction, conversation, and activity along with time for rest, prayer, and reflection.
The virtual events involve only a few hours online with the sisters and other participants. Participants are encouraged to carve out a few additional hours each day for reflection, reading, and recreational time.
"It's not always feasible for women to travel long distances for weekend events," Sister Denise remarked. "The online events make it possible for women to interact with our sisters and to learn about our life of prayer, common life, study and service before they make the commitment to explore further with us."
Participants will experience first-hand the rhythms of prayer and daily activity for sisters active in ministry. There will also be some time for private prayerful reflection and one-to-one conversations with a sister.
“For many women, a Come & See event is the first step toward deciding whether they want to further consider God’s invitation to join God’s mission to the world as a Catholic sister,” explained Sister Denise. “But coming to a weekend doesn’t commit you to anything. It gives you an opportunity to explore and the space to ponder and pray. It’s really a great introduction to our Dominican life.”
Depending on the timing, in-person events may take place at the Dominican Sisters' motherhouse, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W Monroe Street, or at Cor Unum House, 925 N. Fifth in Springfield’s historic Enos Park neighborhood. Cor Unum is the ministry site for the Dominican Sisters’ outreach to young adult women, who gather regularly at the house for prayer, study, and social events. Each weekend will include an opportunity for participants to experience the Dominican Sisters’ mission-in-action.
Even if you are just a little bit curious, you are welcome.
—Sister Denise Glazik
Events are free of charge and housing and meals are provided. Space is limited, so those who are interested should register here soon.
“If you are interested but, on the fence, please call me,” Sister Denise said. “This is really a wonderful opportunity for you to get to know yourself better and to meet other women who, like you, are wondering whether God would be able to use your gifts for the life of the world.”
The Dominican Sisters of Springfield are part of a worldwide Dominican family, the Order of Preachers, and in 2023 are celebrating 150 years of ministry For the Life of the World. Their sisters minister in the United States and Peru. For more than 800 years, Dominicans have communicated the Gospel in word and action. Today, thousands of Dominican sisters, nuns, priests, brothers, associates, and laity minister in more than 100 countries around the world.
Event Schedule
2024 Come & See Events
June 7-9
July 5-7
October 11-13
2024 Zoom & See Virtual events
May 16-18
September 5-7
December 13-15
