Moments of Transformation
Sr. Mary Ann Nelson
by Mary Ann Nelson, OP, Director of Initial Membership Programs
Our rituals of incorporation this August were truly moments of transformation. There was a dramatic and noticeable shift. We simply are no longer the Congregation we used to be. Becoming global adds richness, new life, and the energy of diversity to our already amazing history. We’ve begun a process which will continue to unfold in unexpected ways as five women moved into new stages of incorporation.
Sr. Gail Jagroop processes into Queen of the Rosary Chapel.
From left: Srs. Lystra Long and Monica Oboagwina process into Queen of the Rosary Chapel.
During Vespers on Aug. 9, Sister Gail Jagroop was received into the novitiate and Sisters Priscilla Torres and Christine Walcott began their non-canonical year as novices. Monica Oboagwina, OP, made her perpetual profession and Lystra Long, OP, made her first profession of vows during the Eucharist on Sunday, Aug. 10.
Gail received a further blessing as she was sent off to the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate (CDN) on Aug. 14. Through this collaborative effort, we as a Congregation are able to provide a richer program, encourage a supportive peer group, share the giftedness and resources of the 22 congregations involved, promote the Dominican charism, and help shape the future life of the Dominican Family. This year at the CDN, Gail will live in community with three other novices from Adrian, Houston, and Tacoma as well as with the codirectors, Pat Hanvey, OP (Amityville), and Katie McGrail, OP (Adrian). You’ll be hearing more from Gail about life at the CDN during the year. You also can learn more about the CDN by visiting www.domlife.org/CDN on the Internet.
After visiting with their families, Priscilla Torres and Christine Walcott will be continuing their discernment in San Antonio and Spokane, respectively. Priscilla will be joining the Emmaus Community in San Antonio and studying at the Oblate School of Theology. Christine will be joining the Siena House community in Spokane and ministering at St. Margaret’s Shelter, a transitional living shelter for women and their children.
Lystra returned to Trinidad and is a member of the community at the House of Discernment and involved in campus ministry at the University of the West Indies.
These newest members are a blessing and a challenge to us! Their celebrations in August opened our hearts and nurtured our souls. And, we also know that the transformative process has just begun. To embrace these women fully as members and become the Congregation we say that we want to be, we must open ourselves to “continuing conversion into membership,” to continuing transformation. Let us pray that we might be worthy of the women who come to us seeking membership. Let us also pray for each of them as they continue their journey.