Sr. Virginia Ripp (top, center) with Dominican High School
students at a Dominican Center block party

Embedded in our Dominican charism is the fire that Dominic kindled in founding the Order of Preachers 800-plus years ago. His vision for the Order was rooted in Gospel living and the experience of communities of nuns, lay men and women, clerical and non-clerical, which gave impetus to the Spirit in the Holy Preaching. In every age since then, and so today, we are called to proclaim the Gospel.

For me, currently, this is happening in my part-time ministry at the Dominican Center for Women in an African American neighborhood in central city Milwaukee and in the apostolic way of life with our Sisters at Dominican Convent and with Sisters and Associates in our Milwaukee region. Fired by the spirit of the Center’s foundresses, Sisters Ann Halloran, OP (Gilberte), and Anne Marie Doyle, OP (deceased), the Center is a place where God is tangibly present in the holy women and men who come and share their presence, gifts, joys, challenges, and pain each day. A relative was injured in a car accident, an aunt is having cancer surgery, a homeowner had her house broken into, a student is struggling to regain her children from the courts, another comes to work on progress toward her GED, and yet another wants to learn how to reach her Bible. Whatever the circumstances, I usually find their response, “I am blessed,” when I ask how they are. I see that being a gentle, caring presence, sharing hugs, listening to their stories, answering phones and doorbells, assisting Sr. Ann, and occasionally tutoring are ways of proclaiming the Good News. Recently a senior homeowner stayed for lunch and remarked, “Every time I come here I am fed, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.” Another stopped in to say hello and announce that it was her 51st birthday. “God is good to let me rise again to a new day of life and to be 51,” she exclaimed. Instances like these occur frequently and remind me of how blessed I am to experience, respond, and affirm the Good News these people are proclaiming. What a gift that is! The staff also consistently radiates the joy of Gospel service. We are Franciscans, School Sisters of Notre Dame, Dominicans, and rehab and home health providers. In this ministry, I see mutuality as we proclaim the Gospel to each other. What one receives, one can share.

Nurturing this ministry is my community at Dominican High where hospitality, loving care, and support of each other; community prayer and meals; meaningful conversation; other outreach ministries; and concern for the needs of the world remind me daily of our God’s gracious abundance in calling us to community and service. Amidst such abundance of God’s goodness in community and ministry, how can one “stop from singing” the Good News!

Sister Virginia Ripp, OP (Agneta) Dominican Center for Women Milwaukee, WI