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Read JUST Words volume 26, number 1, the Winter 2026 edition. Download the latest edition of JUST Words here.
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“A caring impression”— why Susie and Andy Kempen give
The Kempens with Susie’s parents Norm and Rosie Lubbe, and their dear friend Sister Bernice Juip at Sister Bernice’s jubilee celebration in 2017. Susan and Andy Kempen grew up in families that valued giving time, talent and treasure to the local parish. Andy and the Kempen family volunteered in a parish in Neenah, Wisc. Susan and the […]
Touching our wounds, affirming our dignity
By Alexis Williams, LSCW How does one begin to make sense of the repetitive pain and chaos in the world today? How can one understand the images of immigrants being forcibly detained by federal agents, the fear being stoked about those who look different from you, and the combined anger and disconnect between persons of […]
Book review: #Rules of Engagement: 8 Christian Habits for being good and doing good online
By Sister Susan Karina Dickey, OP Theologian and author Ann Garrido is a long-time friend of the Dominican Family. It shows in her books through the consistent seeking and speaking of truth, that which accords with reality. For Dominicans, Truth, with a capital T, is also another name for Jesus the Christ. This book is […]
True Justice: honoring and restoring human dignity
Springfield Dominican Sisters were among those present at the State Capitol on October 18 in protest of the anti-immigrant policies of the Administration. From Left to right: Sisters Judith Curran, Dorothy Marie Solak, Martha Marie Kirbach, Beverly Jeanne Howe, Ann Clennon, Kathleen Ryan, Marcelline Koch, and Elizabeth Wrenn. By Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy, OP Close your […]
Pope Leo: Building Bridges of Hope and Healing in the Church
Do you recall where you were the day Pope Leo XIV was elected? A citizen of the United States and Peru, Augustinian friar Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, born in Dolton, Ill., was chosen by the College of Cardinals May 8, 2025, to succeed Pope Francis. The shock and joy of the election of a U.S.-born […]
Partners in Mission: How faith and family impact giving
By Sister Kathleen Anne Tait, OP Judy Babb Troxell is deeply grateful to her mother and father, Harry and Eileen Marron Babb, for the grounding in faith and the “DNA of giving” they instilled within her, and her siblings. Her earliest memories are of putting coins in her weekly children’s church envelope and watching […]
Solidarity: Finding and hearing the voice of God in a wounded and broken world
By Margaret Lombe My reflection is informed by Catholic social teaching and centers on finding and hearing the voice of God in a wounded world. I often ponder on the question “How do I witness to the gospel values in love and truth amid the many wounds that characterize our world today, wounds of systemic […]
Hope for Dominican life
By Jean Ann Miller Summertime is now a memory, but during that time, Sisters Denise Glazik and Mary Jo Sobieck filled their days preaching the gospel with their lives. Sister Denise has been the vocation director for the sisters since 2019. Sister Mary Jo, who taught for many years at Marian Catholic High School, Chicago […]
Pope Leo: Building Bridges of Hope and Healing in the Church
By Sister Barbara Blesse, OP Do you recall where you were the day Pope Leo XIV was elected? A citizen of the United States and Peru, Augustinian friar Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, born in Dolton, Ill., was chosen by the College of Cardinals May 8, 2025, to succeed Pope Francis. The shock and joy of […]
Sister Teresa Marron honored with named scholarship
Sister Teresa Marron returned to her home parish for a class reunion in August and was pleasantly surprised to learn the school established a scholarship fund in her name: The Sister Teresa Marron St. Malachy Scholarship Fund will support the financial needs of St. Malachy students for years to come. Additionally, on August 23, the […]
