Holy Mystery, ever ancient, ever new,
we, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, come before You,
aware of our interconnectedness in the cosmos,
and in solidarity with the rostros concretos* of the marginalized.
We come with deep gratitude for our common call.
Draw us into communion with You and all creation.
Living with intentional awareness and openness to change,
we seek to expand the expression of our vows,
inviting others to walk with us in sharing our charism.
Free our hearts to recognize and attend to Christ in hidden and unexpected places.
We renounce our participation in the sin of racism
and reject the societal barriers created by the misuse of power.
Through our contemplation, transform us to listen deeply to one another and to the brokenness of the world.
Bless our efforts to be the holy preaching.
Christ, You are expansive.
We journey in that truth, offering our testimonio de vida.
*Rostros concretos literally means “specific faces.” Nevertheless, it is a concept which includes the people (poor, immigrants, LGBTQA, etc.), oppressive situations, creation, anything placed on the margins.
Good Stories: St. Lawrence O’Toole School
Stories from students of the Dominican Sisters Who says laughing isn’t contagious? Whether it’s a small chuckle or a laugh that brings tears to the eyes, the memories of laughter we keep deep in our hearts can last a lifetime. For those who were taught by Dominican Sisters some memories are cherished. Former student Joseph […]
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Dominican Sisters
Elect Leadership,
Strengthen Commitments,
Share the Fruit of Their Contemplation
The new Springfield Dominican Leadership team will begin their responsibilities after the planned June 15, 2019 installation ceremony at Sacred Heart Convent. From left to right are Sister Rose Miriam Schulte, OP (vicaress), Sister Marie Michelle Hackett, OP (third councilor) Sister Mila Diaz Solano (second councilor), and Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP (Prioress General). A […]
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Seeking the Global Common Good:
Seeing, Connecting, and Sustaining
Life-giving Change
This story was first published in the Fall 2018 edition of JUST Words. Passions for justice Among my Springfield Dominican Sisters there are many varied passions for justice. A quick review of the community directory brings to mind certain sisters who are passionate about or ministerialy engaged with the following concerns: immigration reform access to […]
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Dominican Sisters: Building Relationships in a Disconnected World
In preparation for our upcoming General Chapter, we invited some of our sisters, friends, and associates to talk about how they see the sisters following the Spirit’s lead into the future. The Winter 2019 issue of JUST Words pulled their thoughts together, but there was more good stuff than we could include in the print […]
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Top Ten Stories of 2018
What an amazing year 2018 was. Looking back there were so many ups and downs it is hard to believe that some of the events happened only in 2018. Here is a list of our top ten stories in order of engagement by you over the entire year. Sister Mary Jo Acquires Fame on the […]
Read More Dominican Sisters Head to the Border to Serve Children & Families
A week of service at an immigrant shelter in El Paso helps ease the burdens of desperate families Springfield, Ill.—On Sunday, Springfield Dominican Sisters Anita Cleary and Marcelline Koch will travel to El Paso, Texas to volunteer at a Catholic shelter for families called Annunciation House. “We’re going because Annunciation House and other shelters like […]
Read More "We all long for peace in this land" Sister Mila in Jerusalem
Springfield Dominican Sister Mila Diaz Solano resides in Jerusalem where she is completing her doctoral thesis at the École Biblique et Archéologique, a French academic establishment in Jerusalem, founded by Dominicans, and specializing in archaeology and Biblical exegesis. Today she shared with her Dominican sisters in the United States and Peru her experience of the […]
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Honduras: “Your people will be my people.”
Witness and Solidarity: Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy in Honduras The days surrounding the unconstitutional re-inauguration of Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez last month were fraught with danger for anyone who spoke out against the regime or dared to oppose his election. Because of this, religious leaders in the country asked for an interfaith delegation to stand […]
Read More Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy Heads to Honduras
To Join International Emergency Interfaith Delegation Trip coincides with inauguration of contested Honduran president-elect Springfield Dominican Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy will spend a week in Honduras as part of an emergency international interfaith delegation of religious leaders who wish to stand in solidarity with the people of the most violent country in the world and to […]
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“Forget Yourself
And Think of Others”
Volunteering and Jesus’ Mission
This story by Sister Geraldine Kemper, OP, first appeared in JUST Words, Winter 2018. Many organizations depend on volunteers to achieve their mission. What motivating force compels someone to volunteer time, knowledge, energy, and love? Pope Francis said during an audience last March, “Love and charity are service, helping others, serving others. There are many […]
Read More Hanging with The Donut Sister
How did Sister Francella Vyverman find her niche at Washington Street Mission? Photography by Aaron Tebrinke. Sister Farancella enjoys a moment with a mission patron. Sister Francella Vyverman traffics in lap robes. It comes with the job of pastoral minister to the sick and elderly of Cathedral Parish, her beat since 2002. On a piercing […]
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