Adrian Dominican Sisters Are Part of the 800-Year Dominican Tradition of Preaching Gospel Truths to All Peoples
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Dear Partners in Mission, We are delighted to provide you with this overview of our Congregation’s history, from the founding of the Dominican Order in the early 1200s to the present day, as well as an introduction to the Mission and Vision that continue to impel us. In these pages, you will sample the diverse ministries that engage our Sisters and Associates in outreach to people who are relegated to the margins; in efforts to sustain the health and well-being of our Earth community; and in works to nurture spiritual life through spiritual direction, prayer, and ministries of presence. Our Sisters and Associates, with countless others, also are engaged through our sponsored institutions — universities, elementary and secondary schools, literacy centers, and hospitals — in furthering our mission to serve God’s people and promote the common good. Through a he Order of Preachers was variety of ministries undertaken by our women in the Dominican founded by Dominic de Guzmán, Republic, the Philippines, Mexico, and Norway, we strive to be a 12th-century Canon Regular in Osma, a city on the Christian a sign of God’s love in our troubled world. frontier of Spain. While traveling through southern France with his We hope that you will experience the “breadth and length and bishop, Diego of Osma, Dominic came upon a population heavily height and depth” of the mission that you share with us — and influenced by the dualism of Albigensianism, which taught the our deep gratitude for all that you are and all that you do. Texistence of two equal Creators, one of the good and one of the evil, and that the material world was created by the evil principle. In the spirit of Dominic saw the crucial need to make known the liberating truth Dominic and Catherine, of the Gospel, revealing God’s love for the world. Out of that need grew the Order of Preachers. The Adrian Dominican Sisters are part of the 800-year Dominican tradition of preaching Gospel truths to all peoples. Sister Patricia Siemen, OP Prioress of the Congregation SEEK TRUTH • MAKE PEACE • REVERENCE LIFE Adrian Dominican Sisters An historical timeline follows with images and descriptions of how we came into being, and how we are carrying out Dominic’s vision for future generations. 20 e Dominican Preachers of Adrian t. Dominic believed that impelled by the Gospel and preaching should be supported outraged by the injustices of our day by study, so that the preached word would not be W seek truth; an empty word; make peace; by community, where the preacher found support reverence life. S and challenge; Stirred by the Wisdom of God by a life of contemplation on the Gospel message; and and rooted in our contemplative prayer, communal study, and life in community, by ministry, especially with those most in need on we challenge heresies of local and the margins of society. global domination, exploitation, and greed that privilege some, dehumanize others, and Study, community, prayer, and ministry — traditional ravage Earth. pillars of Dominican life — continue to be at the heart of our life today. We confront our racist attitudes and root out racist practices in our lives and systems. Sister Nancyann Turner, OP, with a young participant in the Rosa Parks We confront systems where women are Children and Youth Program, Capuchin denied freedom, equality, and Soup Kitchen, Detroit. full personhood. We walk in solidarity with people who are poor and challenge structures that impoverish them. We practice non-violent peacemaking. We promote lay leadership and shared decision-making for a renewed Church. We live right relationships with Earth community. Sister Pat Reno, OP, right, with clients at Centro Latino of Shelbyville, Kentucky. We claim the communal authority and responsibility of our Dominican heritage. We commit ourselves to live this Vision. General Chapter 2004, Reaffirmed at General Chapters of 2010 and 2016 2 19 nactments Rooted in the Gospel, we recognize our own spiritual wedge of light longings and those of the world. We commit to deepen piercing a field of dark: our spirituality and to engage with others in prayer and Athe distinctly presence in order to witness to the mystery of God in Dominican Eour midst. sign. Recognizing the violence against Earth community Truth: that places our common home in dire jeopardy and Clear as the light of the Spirit intensifies the suffering of people on the margins, rising from a single point future generations, and all creation, we will sacrifice to to seek its completion mitigate significantly our impact on climate change and in the wholeness of the world, ecological degradation. in God, in all that is. Recognizing that racism, violence, and intolerance of diversity fuel marginalization, we pledge our lives, White light money, and other resources to facilitate and participate shining in creating resilient communities with people who are in the color of earth. relegated to the margins, valuing their faith, wisdom, Primitive as early Christian seal, and integrity. contemporary as the world today, a mark that unites us; Rooted in the joy of the Gospel, we will embrace To be seen, to be questioned, and nurture our rich diversity, commit ourselves to to become loved and known. deepening our relationships with one another, invite others to vowed and Associate life, and expand A sign that says: collaboration for the sake of the Mission. Adrian Dominican Sisters ADRIAN General Chapter 2016 18 3 ponsorship is an ongoing relationship whereby the Adrian Dominican Sisters and an institution influence each other in ways that further the mission of both Institution and Congregation. 1 S General Chapter 1982 Adrian Dominican Sponsored Institutions Barry University – Miami Shores, Florida Dominican Hospital – Santa Cruz, California Regina Dominican High School – Wilmette, Illinois Rosarian Academy – West Palm Beach, Florida St. Rose Dominican Hospitals – Henderson, Nevada Siena Heights University – Adrian, Michigan Literacy Centers (under Dominican Rea Literacy Corporation) Adrian Rea Literacy Center – Adrian, Michigan All Saints Literacy Center – Detroit, Michigan Aquinas Literacy Center – Chicago, Illinois DePorres P.L.A.C.E. – West Palm Beach, Florida Dominican Literacy Center – Detroit, Michigan N.E.W. Life Literacy Center – Flint, Michigan Siena Literacy Center – Detroit, Michigan Ministries in the Philippines The Sisters of the Our Lady of Remedies Mission Chapter in Pampanga, the Philippines, are engaged in a number of ministries, 2 3 predominantly in the Archdiocese of San Fernando, involving education, catechesis, and socio-pastoral work with women, children, farmers, and indigenous peoples. The Sisters also minister 3 – Regina Dominican as pastoral workers in Norway. High School students 1 – Sister Maureen Summer Rocha, Emily O’Connell, OP, founding Becker, Rebecca Richards, director of Angela House, Jenna Rozhon, and Mary cuts the ribbon for the 2 – Most Reverend Joseph Grace Stanton, from left, Adrian Dominican Sisters Today we are engaged in a sponsorship model best described expanded Houston, Texas, Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of participate in the Ugandan as a partnership relationship with the laity for shared ministry. facility, which offers a Chicago, offers a blessing Fair Trade Market. Proceeds residential program to help to learners and tutors at benefit Noté Karacel, which We value and welcome the laity as co-ministers in collaboration with the formerly incarcerated women Aquinas Literacy Center in supports the people of Congregation for the administration and stewardship of its institutions. transition into community life. honor of its 20th anniversary. Alenga, Uganda. 4 17 1 inistry Belonging to the worldwide family of men and women religious known since St. Dominic’s time as the Order of Preachers, Adrian Dominicans cherish preaching as Mtheir distinctive charism. They are women “dedicated to communicating the Word of God through word, style of life, and manner of service.” Constitution and Statutes, 6.1, 1989 he ministries of the Adrian Dominican Sisters are education, health care, and social services in their traditional forms, and others that have been developed in response to the signs of the times, including campus ministry; ministries in the arts; 2 3 pastoral ministries; immigration services; counseling and spiritual formation; community organization; 2 – Members of the Florida Tand advocacy for peace, justice, and ecological Mission Chapter – from left, 1 – Siena Heights Sisters Teresita Ruíz, OP, 3 – Rosarian Academy sustainability. University students Margarita Ruíz, OP, Mary Jean seventh-grader celebrate Indian Clemenger, OP, and Judith Marlowe Flom is culture – and Rimbey, OP – display a banner congratulated by Adrian Dominican Sisters experience an advocating the abolition of Middle School Director explosion of color the death penalty in Florida. Sister Donna Baker, OP, – at Holi Festival, The Florida Mission Chapter during his induction marking the end of has taken on this issue as a into the National Junior the academic year. Chapter Initiative. Honor Society. 16 5 1 1 2 3 2 3 2 – Women in formation 3 – Michael W. Reaves, gather during General Director of Public Safety 1 – Associate Juana Franco Chapter 2016. From left for the City of Port Huron, helps sterilize instruments 3 – Arlene Bachanov, are Sisters Marilín Llanes, Michigan, congratulates during a free dental clinic 2 – Sister Frances Nadolny, Associate, left, and the 1 – Sisters Carol Coston, in the Dominican Republic OP, Administrator and Adrian Dominican Sisters OP, Antonette Lumbang, Sister Gloria Korhonen, late Sister Nadine Foley, OP, left, and Maureen OP, and Xiomara Méndez- OP, for receiving the city's sponsored by Associate General Councilor, is OP, review the recent Fenlon, OP, work on Hernández, OP, and then- Lifetime Achievement group Antorcha and welcomed by indigenous Congregation history book, the Motherhouse novice Sister Katherine Award. organized by Dr. Fabiola Aeta children in the To Fields Near and Far, permaculture site. Frazier. (Photo by Ricardo Ramales) Reyes, Associate. Philippines. which they co-authored.