Sr. Ana Gonzalez, OP, Vocations Minister
On the week of June 15, eight courageous women offered an audacious yes to God. They stepped away from busy routines and attended the Together in Mission: Dominican Mission Experience in Springfield, IL, to center their hearts in God. They joined the collaboration of Dominican Sisters in mission—to pray, study, serve, and experience community.
Hosted by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, four Dominican communities—Adrian, Peace, Sinsinawa, and Springfield—created this experience, welcoming women from across the United States into the beauty of religious life and the Dominican way. Through prayer, study, service, and community, they glimpsed what happens when ordinary lives are opened to God’s extraordinary call.
The Holy Spirit guided the time in prayer, conversation, service, silence, and the readings at Mass. The planning team is extremely grateful for the abundance of prayers and cards received from the Dominican Sisters across the country.
The experience also included missioning with Dominican Sisters of Springfield Ministries like the Innocence Project, Mission Outreach, and Enos Park Neighborhood Garden. Despite tornadoes and storms, the participants walked away understanding that we are all part of a larger community, and our call to serve is communal. We belong to a wider community, a communion of prayer and mission. In the Dominican way, prayer opens our eyes, study deepens our understanding, community strengthens our courage, and service sends us forth in love.
As our time concluded, the participants left with a rich Dominican experience of mission and a small Dominican Symbol as a reminder of the sacred time together. The Dominican shield was provided as a reminder to hold fast to God’s promise of love and to remember that God is always nearby. The symbol is also a reminder that the Dominican Sisters are holding the eight valiant women in prayer, as they understand God’s invitation for their lives and the courage to walk fearlessly with God into an unknown future full of hope.
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Beautiful Ana, Seems like it was a very successful week
with a lot of fun and experiences. Some places look very familiar been there done that … with Mary Jo.
Muy Bien!
Queen Esther
Faithful to Joy has always been an attraction to Dominican life….and I see it all over these beautiful pictures you took during this truly inspired event.
Can’t wait to meet some of these incredible women!
Peace, Pat Connick
This seemed to be a great Encounter for all the Women who gathered and I am grateful for the Dominican Communities who sponsored this event. Thank you. That is the way we move into the FUTURE together. Nancy Jane Kuntz OP