Faith and Resistance Working Circle
Faith and Resistance Working Circle. From left, back
row: Sisters Toni Callahan, Catherine Houtakker,
Kath Komarek, Robi Huddleston, Miriam Brown, Liz
Sully, and Bernadine Karge. Front row: Sister Kathy
Long, Candy Krepel, Sister Pam Mitchell, Carlotta
Andrews, and Sister Maureen McDonnell
History
The Faith and Resistance Working Circle is a group which began from the impetus of the shared experience of the Corpus Christi Desert Retreat for Religious in Las Vegas, Nevada, in June 1991. Many of the 25 to 30 Sinsinawa Dominicans present at this retreat felt compelled to meet regularly for shared study, prayer, and action against injustice. In May 1992, the Faith and Resistance Working Circle was founded.
Mission Statement
We will resist current manifestations of injustice by action in faith through prayer, study, and personal conversion. In collaboration with others we will engage in acts of nonviolent dissent. Our faith-filled resistance will impel us to seek alternative ways for life-giving relationships and structures.
The Faith and Resistance Working Circle is about acting in faith. Prayer and study are a significant part of the meetings as well as being present to bear witness in places where injustices exist. The Working Circle has been itinerant in nature and moved with the issues. Members have focused on human rights issues as well as environmental issues. For the past six years, Faith and Resistance Circle members have been present for the vigil and non-violent civil disobedience action at Fort Benning, Georgia, calling for the closing of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (also known as The School of the Americas). At the meeting in August 2002, the Working Circle decided to focus their resistance and prayer on the issues involving militarism in our world.
Sister Mary Howard Johnstone at the SOA vigil
Membership
Any Vowed Member, Associate, Dominican Volunteer, or person with whom we share our lives is welcome to join. If you are interested in joining the committee, contact the Peace and Justice Office at opjustice@aol.com
Members 2008-2009
Deb Bomyea
Miriam Brown
Toni Callahan
Joan Duerst
Marie Walter Flood
Catherine Houtakker
Robi Huddleston
Bernadine Karge
Candy Krepel
Kathy Long
Maureen McDonnell
Pam Mitchell
Margaret Muellenmeister
Barbara Parsons
Liz Sully