Catching Fire From Dominic's Vision
One Year Out of 800
Prioress and Council, from left, front row: Srs. Jo Ann Timmerman, Teresa Auad (Juana Maria), and Elizabeth Dunn (Mary Denysa). Back row: Srs. Erica Mary Jordan (Caterina), Mary Ellen Green, Patricia Mulcahey (Marcolin), Mary Howard Johnstone, and Susanne Brodeur.
Dominicans throughout the world have begun to celebrate their 800th anniversary. On Dec. 27, 1206, Dominic established a community of women in Prouilhe, France. This community was the beginning of the Dominican Order, officially recognized by Pope Innocent III in 1216 as the Order of Preachers.
The theme of what will be a 10-year celebration, “Catching the Fire from Dominic’s Vision,” provides a rich, metaphorical framework for reviewing in this annual report the significant events of FY 2006–07.
Initial Kindling
This past year was plentiful in signs of the reverence in which our founder, Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP, is held and plentiful in signs of progress with the Church’s recognition of his holiness.
Archbishop Jerome Hanus dedicated the new Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School in Dubuque, IA.
Work began on the restoration of the church built by Fr. Samuel in New Diggings, WI. St. Augustine is the only church designed by Fr. Samuel that exists as he built it in the 1840s. The Mazzuchelli Assembly of 4th Degree Knights of Columbus have raised over $500,000 for the renovation. [See inside back cover for pictures.]
Relevant Radio carried several interviews with Sister Mary Paynter, OP (Maria de Ricci), Vice-Postulator of the Cause for Father Samuel’s beatification.
On Feb. 20, the Diocese of Madison opened the official tribunal investigation of a presumed miracle attributed to Fr. Samuel. When the process is complete, the documents and acts will be sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome.
The Fire Caught
As other sections of this annual report testify, the fire of Dominic’s vision burns brightly in the presidents, board members, administrators, faculty, and staff who today lead the institutions we founded. Many of us, called by the Spirit to other works, engage in a variety of ministries through which we proclaim the Gospel. Only a few examples of the public recognition given this past year to the works of our Sisters testify to the strength of the fire ignited by Dominic, still extant in our lives, 800 years later:
Sister Marie Stella Storch, OP, Justice and Peace Promoter for the Agnesian Sisters, The Fond du Lac Reporter, for her work for people in Africa suffering from the effects of AIDS;
Sister Michelle Germanson, OP, President of Trinity High School, Archdiocese of Chicago, Impact Award for her educational leadership;
Sister Pat Sullivan, OP (Vincenza), and Sister Rosemary Empen, OP (Aemilia), Pastoral Associates in Houston, MS, Catholic Extension Society, for their efforts on behalf of the poor in Chickasaw County;
Sister Esther Heffernan, OP, Edgewood College Professor, Wisconsin State Public Defender Board, the Eisenberg Award, given in recognition of her tireless work for the rights of our poorest citizens;
Sister Helen Marie Raycraft, OP (Helena), and Sister Margery Race, OP (Geraud), Members of the Dominican Missionary Preaching Team in Austin, TX, Friars of the Province of St. Martin de Porres, for their commitment to Spanish/English apostolic preaching and establishment of prayer communities and Dominican Laity communities;
Sister Antonia Stare, OP, Retired, St. Aloysius Parish, Spokane, Named multi-purpose, handicapped-accessible Antonian Room of new parish center in honor of Sister;
Sister Colleen Settles, OP, Regional Mission Director for Providence Hospitals, Southern California, Los Angeles Business Journal, nomination for 16th annual “Women Making a Difference” Award;
Sister Ann Halloran, OP (Gilberte), and Sister Sue Lorenz, OP (Roberte), Director and Board Member of the Dominican Center, Milwaukee Catholic Herald, for the Center’s work in lead poisoning prevention; and
Sister Diane Kennedy, OP (Mary Alana), Associate Provost of Dominican University, Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, Distinguished Service Award.
Uniting us in the diversity of the ministries we share with others is the same gospel call to hear the cry of the poor that inspired our early Sisters. Nourishing in us the fire of Dominic’s vision is our commitment to prayer, contemplation, study, and community.
Coals and New Flames
During this past year, we have grieved the deaths of 28 of our Sisters. Saddened by our loss, we still rejoice in the gift of their lives. The beauty of their commitment to proclaiming the Gospel remained oh so evident, despite illness or increased frailty.
The death of Sister Cecilia Moran, OP, in 1858 marked our first death of a member. Since that time 1,949 of our Sisters have died. The witness of their lives strengthens all of us as we truly stand on their shoulders.
We also rejoice in the presence of new members, who are catching the fire of Dominic’s vision:
Anne Sur—First Profession, 8/6/06;
Priscilla Torres—Admitted to Candidacy, 8/7/06;
Christine Araujo—First Profession, 11/1/06;
Gail Jagroop—Admitted to Candidacy, 5/18/07; and
Sabrina Paty—First Profession, 5/31/07.
A minimum of three years of temporary vows is required prior to making final vows as Sinsinawa Dominicans. We hold each of our newest members in prayer and thank God for their presence in our lives.
The Spreading Fire of Dominic’s Vision
The number of our Associates has grown to 242. Six of them made life commitments as Associates during the November annual meeting:
Martha Bartholomew
Fran Jiracek
Paula McKenzie
Jana Minor
Rosemary Paxton
Margaret Webinger
In the words of Paula McKenzie, “The meaning we give to living the Gospel within the Dominican charism as Sisters and Associates is alive and growing.” In her question about the future, “How will our Dominican relationship transform and call us to be more who God has created us to be?” Paula speaks the hope of both Associates and Sisters. Mutually enriched by the relationship, all of us grow stronger in proclaiming the Gospel. The fire of Dominic’s vision continues to spread, not only among our Associates but also among Dominican Volunteers USA. This past year, 14 men and women gave a year of service as Dominican Volunteers.
The Fireplace
Grounded in our Dominican heritage of constitutional government, we gather in legislative assemblies (also known as Chapters) to identify means for renewing and supporting our life and mission. In July 2006, we began the work of responding to directions set by our Chapter in March 2006. A brief summary of initial responses to some of the directives and recommendations follows.
Our Smaller Living Groups—The Chapter directed all of us to describe and redefine in statutory language the reality of governance in the smaller living groups that characterize our local communities today. The challenge of maintaining vital connections is one concern. Welcoming others to share in our life and mission is another. We have begun the discussions.
Transition from 13 to Eight Elected Leaders—The Chapter’s decision to dissolve our province structure and elect seven councilors has resulted in a change from 13 to eight elected leaders. The transition from provinces has also resulted in the establishment of a centralized health service to assist Sisters and elected leaders as needed.
Right-sizing Space at the Mound/Alternative Uses for Space at the Mound—The Chapter directed the Prioress and Council to “right-size” our space at the Mound and recommended that Sisters who wish to envision alternative uses for space at the Mound continue to identify detailed implications of possible alternative uses. The Chapter also called for the hiring of a project director to assist with the processes and information requisite to good decisions about right-sizing and alternative uses. Sara Trapkus was hired in November and has served as an invaluable resource for our discussion of options. Her work also includes exploration of possibilities for solar energy, geothermal heating and cooling, and “greening” of the Mound’s land and buildings.
Directions set by the Chapter will guide congregation decisions and actions for the next four years.
Sources of Oxygen
Fresh supplies of oxygen to feed the fire of Dominic’s vision are apparent in the Church and other faith communities, in all branches of the Dominican Order, and in our lives as Dominicans of Sinsinawa. The following are just a few that nourished our life and mission this past year:
Catholic leaders joined other U.S. religious leaders on a trip to Iran where they were warmly welcomed by the people of Iran. They visited with President Ahmadinejad regarding the role of religions in transforming conflict.
Dominicans throughout the world joined in a day of prayer for peace.
Dominican Laity from around the world met in Argentina to discuss more effective ways in which they can proclaim the Gospel. Dominican Associates of the Midwest met at Sinsinawa to share their experiences and renew their commitment to proclaiming the Gospel.
International, national, and regional Dominican Promoters for Peace and Justice met to explore ways to further their work of proclaiming the Gospel. Our own Sister Toni Harris, OP, was named International Co-Promoter of Peace and Justice for the Dominican Order.
Many of our Sisters and Associates participate in meetings held for the purpose of exploring ways in which we can respond to the call of our Church that action on behalf of justice is a constitutive dimension of living the Gospel: the World Social Forum, Call to Action, closing of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (formerly School of the Americas), and numerous local meetings.
Sisters and Associates continue to participate in efforts to abolish racism.
Various celebrations of our 800th anniversary provided opportunities for us to renew our commitment to prayer, contemplation, and study. In the words of our own Sister Ann Willits, OP, when she addressed participants in the 800th Year Symposium celebration at Adrian, MI: “The tradition of Dominican itinerancy offers us the possibility of spending each day as both a missionary and a mystic.”
We offer a prayer of gratitude to God for the many blessings of this past year. We ask blessings on our efforts as vowed religious women this coming year to respond to God’s call:
to share the blessings of our lives with others;
to collaborate with others in proclaiming the Gospel;
to participate with others in the building of a holy and just society;
to engage others in our decisions regarding the future of the Mound; and
to trust as we always have in Providence, in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
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