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Dominican Associates

Associate_Event_Sr_Joan_Sorge_Blanca_Farris

Enjoy the podcast!

Two Springfield Dominican Sisters and two associates answer the question “What attracted you to the Dominican Family?” Hear stories from associates Vicki Schmidt and Kara Mernaugh and Sisters Bernice Juip and Denise Glazik about how being Dominican enriches and shapes their lives.

woman reading Gospels and Acts book

How do I become a
Dominican Associate?

If you are a baptized Christian and at least 21 years old, you are eligible to seek candidacy. After being accepted into the program, Associate candidates complete a nine-month formation process in which candidates study dimensions of church and Dominican life as they are interwoven in study, prayer, community and ministry. The structured phase of the formation process concludes with a one-day retreat during which candidates discern their next step of commitment.  The Associate relationship is formalized and celebrated through a commitment ceremony held at Sacred Heart Convent in Springfield, IL.

The Dominican Family has room for Everyone.

Now accepting applicants for the commitment class of 2024. Classes begin Fall 2023. Contact Sister M. Joan Sorge for more information.

Dominican Associates

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Springfield Dominican Associates are men and women who embrace the Dominican traditions of prayer, study, community, and ministry. They respond to God's call to share the Gospel by preaching it through the witness of their lives.

To explore participation in a 9-month program of discernment for associate commitment you might:

  1. Contact Sister M. Joan Sorge, OP, with your questions to learn more about how to become a Springfield, Illinois Dominican Associate.
  2. View one of the Associate Formation Candidate Sessions
  3. Read our brochure.
  4. Peek at the 2023-2024 associate candidate formation schedule.

Associate Formation Candidate Session:

Living a Balanced Life
Sister M. Joan Sorge, OP
Sunday, January 8, 2017

Our Mission

Springfield Dominican Associates are called to embody the Dominican charism, hear and proclaim God’s Word, and promote the dignity of all persons.  We commit ourselves to lives rooted in prayer, study, community and ministry.  Through our diverse gifts we strive to participate in the mission of the Church by putting into action our call to preach the Word with our lives.

Uncover the light of the Gospel in the world

  • Deepen your relationship with God and God’s people.
  • Use your unique gifts.
  • Embrace your role as leaven for a world in search of meaning.

Monthly meetings will allow you to explore:

  • The life of St. Dominic and the work of the order he founded, the Order of Preacher
  • The gifts the Dominicans bring to the church and the orders’ characteristic life of prayer and spirituality
  • The witness of Dominican saints like: Catherine of Siena, Thomas Aquinas and Rose of Lima
  • The history and ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield
  • Your own relationship to God and God’s people
  • The role of the baptized as leaven for the world in search of meaning

Reasons to become a Dominican Associate:
A call to share the Gospel,

A longing to pray, study and serve with others,

A desire to preach the Word with our lives.

Associate logo

We fill each other with spiritual strength and we then take that strength out to give to others who may need help to bear the cross.

Patty Fitzpatrick

Dominican Associate Mission

We, Dominican Associates of Springfield, Illinois
are called to
embody the Dominican charism,
hear and proclaim God’s word, and
promote the dignity of all persons.

We commit ourselves to lives rooted in
prayer, study, community and ministry.
Through our gifts of diversity,
we strive to participate in the mission
of the church
by putting into action our call
to preach the word with our lives.

Associate logo

I find that my faith has grown in reading and discerning God’s word as well as in finding the courage and strength to DO God’s word.

Nancy Armstrong

I’m ever so grateful all these years for the support, friendship, and interaction with the sisters and associates who have been with me on this journey.

Fran Fischer

Featured Video

Living the Liturgy
Sunday, March 17, 2021

Sister Margaret Schreiber, OP

Featured Video

Living the Liturgy
Sunday, March 1, 2020

Sister Margaret Schreiber, OP

Featured Video

History of the Springfield Dominican Sisters
Sunday, November 3, 2019

Sister Mary Jean Traeger OP

Featured Video

Catholic Social Teaching
Sunday, January 10, 2021

Sister Marcelline Koch OP

Featured Video

Catholic Social Teaching
Sunday, January 5, 2020

Sister Marcelline Koch OP

Featured Video

Dominican Spirituality:
Four Pillars of Dominican Life
Sunday, October 13, 2019

Sister Marilyn Jean Runkel, OP

Featured Video

Mission and Ministry
Sunday, December 6, 2020

Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP and Veronica Espina

Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP and Veronica Espina, Springfield Dominican Associate, share the Mission and Ministry of the Springfield Dominican Sisters. This session was recorded Sunday, December 6, 2020 for the 2020-2021 class of associate candidates to help them discern becoming an associate in May 2021 and to learn more about Springfield Dominican life.

Featured Video

Mission and Ministry
Sunday, December 1, 2019

Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP

Featured Video

St. Dominic and St. Catherine:
Sunday, October 4, 2020

Sister Susan Karina Dickey, OP, PhD

Featured Video

St. Dominic and St. Catherine:
The Call to Preach in Every Age
Sunday, September 8, 2019

Sister Susan Karina Dickey, OP, PhD

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