Go Make a Difference!

Blog by Sr. Judy Morris, OP
Blog by Sr. Judy Morris, OP

“Go make a difference!  Go make a difference in the world!”

This song at a morning prayer service, attended by 38 college students from Dominican universities around the United States, set the tone for the justice presentations and immersion experiences to follow.    They sang these forceful lyrics as people on a mission.

Earlier in the year I was invited to be a presenter on human trafficking to two classes of college students.  My response was an easy yes.  These were serious and thoughtful students who came with knowledge of the difficult subject matter and a desire to be part of the solution of this critical issue.  We focused on causes of human trafficking, resources that have been successful in addressing the issue and stories of survivors of human trafficking.  For each student the most important part of the conversation was “what am I committed to do to be part of the solution?”

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How Do You Reduce Stress?

Blog by Sr. Cathy Arnold, OP
Blog by Sr. Cathy Arnold, OP

I remember a few years ago when I was stressed out about my studies and my never ending to-do or want-to-do list, my spiritual director suggested I go home and do something I enjoyed like baking bread or washing my car by hand.  I still return to this practice and have since included digging in the soil, pulling weeds, or cleaning the house.  (Yes, you can call me if you need help, but….)

I find that as I engage in these tasks, my mind is relieved of pressures, I often pray, and amazingly what feels like new ideas or new connections come together for me.  Not always, of course.  Sometimes it’s a relief to just let my mind wander or to focus completely on the task at hand.

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Silence Says it All

Blog by Sr. Pat Thomas, OP
Blog by Sr. Pat Thomas, OP

Grandma Mary stayed with her five-year-old grandson Billy one night when his parents were out for the evening. When he was ready for bed, Grandma asked if she could sit with him while he said his nightly prayers. When Billy was ready, Grandma came and sat on the edge of the bed as he knelt beside it.

As Billy knelt there, he folded his hands and put his head down. After a lengthy silence, Grandma said, “Billy, are you praying yet?” He replied, “Sure am, Grandma.” “Well,” she said, “did you remember to pray for mom and dad and the new baby?” “Absolutely, Grandma.” Continue reading →

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Preaching Peace – A Road Trip

Blog by Srs. Juliana D’Amato, OP; Barbara Kane, OP; and Thoma Swanson, OP; and Associate Marybeth Auletto, OPA
Blog by Srs. Juliana D’Amato, OP; Barbara Kane, OP; and Thoma Swanson, OP; and Associate Marybeth Auletto, OPA

As you may have seen on the news, Louisville hosted the annual National Rifle Association Convention this week. In response, several organizations came together to organize peaceful events. Four of us, along with several Sisters and Associates from St. Catharine and Louisville, attended the “Moms Demand Action/Everytown for Gun Safety” event at Spalding University. The morning’s weather was gloomy and matched the sobering statistics we heard: there are 91 people killed by guns daily in our country; more guns in our country than people; the NRA has a $350 million dollar budget. Continue reading →

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Through All the World One Family

Blog by Sr. Amy McFrederick, OP
Blog by Sr. Amy McFrederick, OP

One of the responsibilities of the Associates Council and Co-Directors is to stay in touch with the various geographic groups of Associates throughout the country and beyond through phone calls, e-mails and personal visits. I must say I personally look forward to both travelling and visiting with our Dominican Associates. Each time I come away grateful to be a witness to the Holy Spirit’s work among us in what I like to call the Associates Movement.

This past week I visited two groups – 1) the Sisters and Associates gathered in Great Bend for their Discernment Retreat – designed especially for Candidates (persons studying and discerning a call to make a two year commitment as an Associate with the Dominican Sisters of Peace) and 2) the Sisters and Associates gathered in Denver to reflect together on St. Dominic’s nine ways of praying – a part of their ongoing study together with two Candidates discerning their call to Associates Life.

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