Dominican Associates

Schedule for Springfield Dominican Associate Candidates
2020-2021

History of the Springfield Dominicans

Sister Mary Jean Traeger, OP

September 13, 2020

St. Dominic and St. Catherine

Sister Susan Karina Dickey, OP

October 4, 2020

Dominican Spirituality: Four Pillars of Dominican Life

Sister Marilyn Jean Runkel, OP

November 8, 2020

Mission and Ministry

Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP

Veronica Espina, Springfield Dominican Associate

December 6, 2020

Catholic Social Teaching

Sister Marcelline Koch, OP

January 10, 2021

Uncovering the Light of the Gospel: Anti- Racism, Jubilee Farm, and Cor Unum (House of Hospitality)

Anti- Racism

Sister Kathleen Anne Tait, OP

Bob Blackwell, Springfield Dominican Associate

Jubilee Farm

Sister Rose Marie Riley, OP

Cor Unum

Sister Clare Fichtner, OP
Sister Lori Kirchman, OP

Sister Beth Murphy, OP

February 7, 2021

Living the Liturgy

Sister Margaret Schreiber, OP

March 7, 2021

Retreat on Discipleship

Sister Barbara Blesse, OP

April 10, 2021

Retreat scheduled for
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Associate Commitment Sunday

Morning Prayer at 8:30 a.m.

Mass at 9:00 a.m.

Brunch at 10:30 a.m.

Pictures at 11:45 a.m. in Chapel

Family members of Candidates and Sponsors welcome

May 2, 2021

Beginning September 13, the two hour session will be held on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. through Zoom or previously recorded YouTube presentations. The session on February 2, 2021, “Uncovering the Light of the Gospel” will be held from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.

The Springfield Dominican Associate Program was formed in 1990 as a means for laypeople to participate in our congregation’s mission. Dominican Associates are men and women who embrace the Dominican traditions of prayer, study, community and ministry. They are called to share the Gospel with others and “preach with their lives.”

Are you interested in becoming a Dominican Associate? If you think you might want to learn more about how to become a candidate, we would be happy to pray for you and with you as you discern your calling.

Contact Sister M. Joan Sorge, OP, with your questions to learn more about how to become a Springfield, Illinois Dominican Associate. You may wish to view one of the Associate Formation Candidate Sessions or read the brochure we have provided here.

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.

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.

Want to know more?

Contact:

Sister M. Joan Sorge, OP,
Director of Associates

(217) 787-0481

Email Sister M. Joan Sorge, OP

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.

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.

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

Learn How to Become A Candidate for the 2021-2022 Monthly Formations

Beginning in September 2021 the new class of associate candidates will have regular formation sessions. At this time all the sessions will be online. Some of the sessions will be virtual and some will be a review of previously recorded sessions over a variety of subjects that cover what it is to be a Springfield Dominican associate.

Please fill out the form below and send your message to Sister Joan today so you can be a part of this experience and become a Springfield Dominican Associate!