Sisters Staff Congregation Positions
Prioress of the Mound
Martha Alken, OP, has been appointed Prioress of the Mound. Martha leaves her pastoral ministry position at the Church of the Risen Savior, Burnsville, MN, after 12 years to minister with her Sisters at the Motherhouse. She hopes to support her Sisters in their journeys in life, making people comfortable. “I want to help facilitate the necessary processes, whatever is meant to happen with and for the Sisters,”
Martha said. Martha believes this ministry was a vocational call. “When I got the phone call, it just felt right,” she said. “It resonated as something positive for me. When you respond to something beyond yourself, it gives you strength.” While she begins her ministry with no specific plans, she does have the goal of staying happy, staying healthy, and being of service in whatever way God calls. “I’m an instrument,” Martha said.
With experience as a pastoral minister, principal, and member of the Western Province leadership team from 1988 to 1992, Martha brings compassion, a willingness to listen, and a love and knowledge of the Sisters and contemplative life. Martha has lived in two different cultures, Holland and the United States, and believes this will help her in her new ministry. She looks forward to the gift of being able to experience people’s deepest sorrows and greatest joys.
Martha will begin her position Oct. 1. Helen Martin, OP, is serving as interim Prioress of the Mound until Sept. 30.
Director of Discernment and Candidacy Programs, Trinidad and Tobago
Patricia Rinn, OP, has been appointed the Director of Discernment and Candidacy Programs, Trinidad and Tobago. She will be living at the House of Discernment in St. Joseph with discerners Astral Bobb and Maud-Marie Sisnette and Lystra Long, OP. Patty brings a positive energy and willingness to be open to how life unfolds. “I am going with great humility and gentleness to live among them,” Patty said. “I want to hear how the Gospel is embodied in the life of others and learn and grow from their experiences.”
One year ago, Patty had no idea she would be doing this. Patricia Mulcahey, OP, asked her to consider the idea. Patty visited Trinidad and Tobago in April for one week. Since leaving her ministry of pastoral administration and outreach in Kearney, NE, in early July, Patty has attended two training sessions on discerning and spiritual direction, anti-racism training, and Community Days. She believes these events gave her a good base from which to make the transition to the House of Discernment and focus on being a companion to the women there.
Patty plans to share her joy of and commitment to being a Dominican woman of Sinsinawa with the women in Trinidad, emphasizing living the four pillars of Dominican life. She understands it will be a team effort along with the rest of the Initial Membership staff. “We need to model interdependence and communication. This will be a weaving of their life―an introduction into Dominican life.”