Sinsinawa
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| Sister Laurie Brink delivers the Dec. 3 lecture “Becoming Ambassadors of Reconciliation” to Sisters and Associates. Photo by Sr. Christin Tomy. |
Celebrating 175 Years of Mission
Events, Projects Mark Extraordinary Year
by Tricia Buxton and Priscilla Wood, OP
Cochairs of the 175th anniversary commemoration
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| The Matisse Piano Trio musicians (from left) Katie Wolf, Liang-yu Wang, and Anthony Arnone perform in Queen of the Rosary Chapel Nov. 13. Photo by Tricia Buxton. |
The year 2022 was one of jubilation, remembrance, and setting out anew together as the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa celebrated the 175th anniversary of the Congregation. Nearly 30 projects and events were completed over the span of the past 12 months.
Some of the most notable events held and projects created included the In Good Company video that explored the rich past, vibrant present, and hope-filled future of the Congregation which premiered at Community Days in August (since that time, it has garnered nearly 2,700 views on YouTube); the 2022 calendar that captured photos and stories of past events that moved us forward with a visionary spirit through the years in January; the celebratory Mass with Diocese of Madison Bishop Donald J. Hying presiding in March; the Cornerstones lecture by Donna Carroll and the presentation of our annual award to Princess Wilson in May; the weekend gathering of Sisters, Associates, and friends at WeHaKee Camp for Girls in Winter, WI, in September; and the Matisse Piano Trio performance in Queen of the Rosary Chapel with more than 150 attendees in November.
Other projects completed and events held were the public release of the Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP: Tracing a Journey video; the Book of Days 2022: Celebrating Our Life Together with reflections from Sisters on living in community; a flip book containing quotes from Mother Emily Power, OP; celebratory social media posts; a prayer service ritual guide for regional gatherings and sponsored institutions; media stories about the 175th anniversary; special articles in Sinsinawa Spectrum and Sinsinawa Dominican Vision; and the creation of a unique logo and special screensaver image and placemats to observe the celebratory year. The Congregation also received a proclamation from the state of Wisconsin in recognition of our 175 years of service.
The Congregation also received publicity in print and online throughout the year, the most notable being articles in Madison’s Wisconsin State Journal, Dubuque’s (IA) Telegraph Herald, and Cuba City’s (WI) Tri-County Press.
The culminating event during the anniversary year was the Dec. 3 lecture by Laurie Brink, OP, titled “Becoming Ambassadors of Reconciliation: Bridging the Divide of Differences” at Sinsinawa Mound which was livestreamed for public viewing. More than 230 viewed the lecture online in addition to those who attended at Sinsinawa.