July 2009 Index

Over 90s Party
Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters held an Over 90s Party at St. Dominic Villa, Sinsinawa, on May 20. There were 52 honorees in attendance, 23 from the Mound and 29 from the Villa. Read more . . .

Ivy for Alzheimer’s
This spring, Sisters, staff, and guests at Sinsinawa Mound made a $350 donation to the Alzheimer’s Association of Dubuque, IA, and at the same time raised $350 for ivy plants that will beautify the Mound grounds for years to come. Read more . . .

To Lead with Loss
It was just hours after Carol Artery’s dance into eternal life that I received a call reminding me of “my turn” for this “Sake of Our Life & Mission” article. At that moment, the reality of loss weighed heavily on my heart. That sense of loss is certainly a communal experience―the realization that living and dying is something we do together. Read more . . .

Sr. Theresa Thomas Feels Blessed at Bethlehem Academy
One sunny, Saturday afternoon, when I was 5 years old, my grandfather’s car came into our farmyard driveway. I was told he was bringing his three sisters who were Dominicans. There I was, wearing one of my few dresses and on my best behavior. I can only remember two things about the Sisters that day―the breeze that blew their white habits and how tall they appeared. Read more . . .

Becoming Our Best Self
During Community Days this year, the topics of community life and contemplation will be woven together, just as they are woven together in our day-to-day lives. Community life and contemplation are also at the heart of what women are searching for today in religious life. Read more . . .

Profession of Vows
Join us as Sisters Anne Sur, Priscilla Torres, and Christine Walcott make their professions. Read more . . .

Chapter 2011 Agenda Committee Announced
Nominees for the 2011 Chapter Agenda Committee met at the Mound May 22–25, 2009, to discern together with Facilitator Carolyn Farrell, BVM, the six members and two alternates of the agenda committee. Nearly 30 of those nominated were present for the communal discernment process. Nominees had been named by groups of five or more Sisters from throughout the Congregation. Read more . . .

Congregation Appointees Named
Sister Jeri Cashman, OP and Sister Joy Peterson, PBVM were appointed by the congregation. Read more . . .

Follow Me: Acting, Loving, Walking
Associates, Sisters Attend 8th Biennial Midwest Gathering at Sinsinawa Mound
Inspired by the Prophet Micah, Franciscan Friar Joseph Nangle of Washington, DC, drew program participants into a day of contemplative reflection at Sinsinawa Mound. Read more . . .

Dare We Take in a Child?
During a Tragic Time in American History, Sisters Asked to Care for and Educate Mary We-Ha-Kee LaBatte
Mary We-Ha-Kee LaBatte was born into a complex world at a tragic time in American history. During the 1860s, Congress failed to appropriate money for annuity payments promised to many American Indian tribes, including the Santee Sioux. Read more . . .

Innovation Meets Determination: Intarsia
Ron Thibault has been roaming the halls of Bethlehem Academy [Faribault, MN] for more than 40 years. Undoubtedly, his favorite place to nestle in for several hours to teach or have a few minutes to work solo on projects is his classroom in the basement of the aging building. Read more . . .

Sisters Attend Meetings on Immigration Reform
Chris Feagan, OP, and Teresa Auad, OP, attended a regional meeting for Justice for Immigrants (JFI) and the 12th annual meeting of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) in Colorado Springs during May. These two organizations are sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Read more . . .

Creation at the Heart of Mission
This spring I had the privilege of receiving an invitation from Patricia Mulcahey, OP, to attend an international seminar in Assisi, Italy. Read more . . .

Fountain Restored at Sinsinawa Mound
After decades of drought, water is dancing through the fountain in the gardens below the Academy Apartments thanks to Sisters and staff at Sinsinawa Mound. Read more . . .

Casavant Organ at Mound Refurbished
The past year has been a memorable one in the 44 year history of the life of the Mound Casavant organ. In October 2008, much of the organ was dismantled and, with a blessing, shipped back to the Casavant Organ Company in Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada, to be refurbished. Read more . . .

Dominicans Say ‘Good-bye’ at St. Michael Academy
On May 29, parishioners, faculty, staff, and students of St. Michael Academy in Fernandina Beach, FL, said good-bye to the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters who have fostered a love for learning in their school. Read more . . .

Farewell to Dominican Sisters at St. James
Parishioners, students, and community members joined in a very special celebration June 7 at St. James, Ventnor, NJ, to honor the extraordinary service and dedication of Principal Joan Mary Baldridge, OP, and 3rd-grade Teacher Eduarda Makal, OP. Read more . . .

New Life in Spokane
Marie Celeste Gatti, OP, captured wonderful pictures of the Dominican Center, Spokane, in the snow. We were buried this winter and had over 75 inches of white stuff in less than a month! It was beautiful, but by the New Year we were climbing the walls with cabin fever! Read more . . .

Women & Spirit Exhibit Coming to City Near You
Exhibit Details Contributions of Catholic Sisters to U.S. History
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) has created an exhibit on the rich history and contributions of Catholic Sisters in the United States. Through photographs, artifacts, and documentary material drawn from the archives of many congregations, this exhibit, titled Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America, explores how Sisters played a vital role in shaping American life from before the earliest days of the republic and throughout its history. Read more . . .

Crowd of ’65 Gathers for Reunion
Almost 20 of the 60-plus women who came to Sinsinawa to explore life as a Dominican Sister in 1963–64 descended on the Mound in April. We were greeted with open arms, hugs, kisses, and laughter. Read more . . .