Thomas Hull
Alice Eaton
Laurie Bartoletti
Paula McKenzie
Cathy Crosby
Connie Kelly Barsanti
Martha Bartholomew
Peter Fallon
Mary Schneider
Candy Krepel
Nkuzi Michael Nnam
Barbara Roth
Germaine Goetz-Sota
Beth Winkel
Jana Minor
MaDonna Thelen
Meet Our Associates
Associate Jana Minor: The Integration of Mission and Identity
by Associate Annette J. Clemens
If you’ve attended any of the Dominican Associate Gatherings, you’ve probably met Jana Minor, a lifetime Associate. You may also know that Jana has had a long-term commitment to prison ministry. But did you know her ministry is what led her to the Sinsinawa Dominican community?
Because of the intensity of her work with prisoners, Jana worried about doing this challenging ministry as a laywoman—someone with no real network for support. Luckily, that support first came in the form of Sister Pat Davis, OP. Jana’s invitation to Sr. Pat to join a weekend program at a woman’s prison sparked a long-term association. It was Sr. Pat’s lived example of Dominican values and spirituality that inspired Jana to stay in touch with her. Eventually, Sr. Pat suggested that Jana join the Associate program, which made her feel she now had a strong network to fuel her mission.
Jana has also joined the Anti-Racism Transformational Team, which she feels has taught her more about the workings of the criminal justice system and the world in general. Additionally, Jana states that her “. . . years as an Associate have provided me with challenge, taught me so much, and provided me with access to wisdom and knowledge.”
Sister Joan O’Shea, OP, once said that Dominican identity is not something you put on and wear, like a cloak, but rather something that emerges from within. Jana feels this is certainly true of herself as the years of being an Associate have shown her that she is Dominican deep in her spirit. As Associates, we all share this identity. May we all draw inspiration from Jana’s example of integrating mission with spiritual identity.