Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids

Sister Patricia Kennedy, OP entered eternal life on August 11, 2024 at the age of 85 after 66 years of religious life. We commend Sister Pat to your prayers. 🙏

Sister Patricia Kennedy was someone who deeply valued community, even when her ministry took her far from others. She found comfort in her faith, knowing that God was always by her side. Her life was a testament to her commitment to service and community. She was a prayerful person with deep faith in a loving God standing always at her side and now leading her into life everlasting.

🕊Life Story & Obituary:

Sister Patricia Kennedy, OP - Dominican Sisters Of Grand Rapids Entered eternal life on August 11, 2024 at the age of 85 after 66 years of religious life. We commend Sister Pat to your prayers.

We invite all our Sisters, Associates, and friends from around the country to join us virtually in “Who Then Shall We Be? A Contemplative Prayer for the World,” on Friday, August 16 from 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET. The prayer will take place live during the LCWR assembly in Orlando, Florida. No registration required - the link to the livestream is: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0n_Lv_vv7A

“Who Then Shall We Be?” is a segment of the assembly where the participants will engage in a contemplative experience created to be in solidarity with the fragility of the world while reflecting on our call to respond to that fragility as bearers of the gospel message. Through the use of dance, music, and brief readings, participants will engage in a process of lamenting the suffering of the world -- particularly the realities of climate change, racism, migration, and polarization and their intersection.

Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) hopes that as many people as possible will choose to participate, thus increasing the power of our collective prayer, presence, and response.

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LCWR Assembly 2024 Who Then Shall We Be? A Contemplative Prayer for the World

🥳🎉Join us in honoring Sr. Robert Ann Erno as she celebrates her 70th Jubilee this year! https://www.grdominicans.org/sr-robert-ann-erno-o-p-jubilarian-2024-70-years-a-sister/

"Celebrating 70 years as a Grand Rapids Dominican is a gift I couldn’t imagine back when I discerned the call to be a Sister.

I enjoyed my many years of teaching both in city and rural environments. Math was the focus of my teaching career, and it gave me great pleasure. My years of working with so many students, teachers, administrators, and parents has truly been a blessing."
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"Dominican Days was a marvelous, energizing, and prayerful celebration of our shared Dominican Life! It truly was a lived experience flowing from Chapter 2024 in March. We want to thank everyone who played a role; it would not have been so successful without everyone’s willingness to help. Continue to celebrate all that God has given us!" ~ Megan McElroy, OP, Prioress

Dominican Days is an annual gathering of Sisters and Associates. We gather for Prayer, Study, Community, and Service, the pillars of Dominican life and spirituality.

We gathered in community in Grand Rapids, Michigan at Aquinas College, Marywood, and Aquinata Hall; and virtually, from around the country.

📸View Photo Gallery from 2024 Dominican Days: https://www.grdominicans.org/dominican-days-2024-source-and-summit-of-our-life/
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Putting lipstick on a pig.....

Jean MacDonald celebrates 25 years as a Grand Rapids Dominican Associate. 🥳🎉

Jean reflects, gives thanks, and looks forward to many more years of celebrating her Associate and life ‘moments’: https://www.grdominicans.org/jean-macdonald-jubilarian-2024-25-years-an-associate/
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☀️🎈Happy August Birthday Sisters!🎈☀️
Celebrating this month (from top left) are:
Sister Thomas Estelle Bryan OP
Sister Geneva Marie Schaub OP
Sister Roxane Dansereau OP
Sister Margaret Kienstra OP
Sister Phyllis Klonowski OP
Sister Joan Alflen OP
Sister Carmelita Murphy OP
Sister Regina Mary Goeldel OP
Sister Judy Vahovick OP
Sister Ann Hehl OP
Sister Donna Jean Thelen OP

Sister Julia Mae Groulx, OP entered eternal life on July 27, 2024 at the age of 98 after 74 years of religious life. We commend Sister Julia Mae to your prayers. 🙏

"Eye has not seen; ear has not heard . . .what God has ready for those who love . . ." ~ 1 Cor: 2-9

This passage from Corinthians fits Sister Julia Mae very well. In anticipation of the day when she would see and hear what God had prepared for her, she went about her long and adventurous life seeing, hearing, and visiting everyone and every place possible ahead of time.

🕊Life Story & Obituary:

Sister Julia Mae Groulx, OP - Dominican Sisters Of Grand Rapids Entered eternal life on July 27, 2024 at the age of 98 after 74 years of religious life. We commend Sister Julia Mae to your prayers.

🎉Sister Margaret Kienstra, OP celebrates 70 years as a Grand Rapids Dominican Sister🎉: https://www.grdominicans.org/sr-margaret-kienstra-o-p-jubilarian-2024-70-years-a-sister/

"...After high school, I would meet with a group weekly during Lent to read about the saints and talk about vocations and other topics. I read about St. Dominic and St. Thomas Aquinas. I decided I wanted to be a Dominican.

One day I saw an ad, “Come and See” in the Sacred Heart Magazine. I wrote for information. After many prayers, I sent in my application. I am glad I did."

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"How Can I Help?" by Megan McElroy, OP

In this election season in the United States, as the Republican Convention gets underway, all of us in our country have already spent months, even years, barraged by unrestrained voices spouting ideas and words that birth fear, hatred, and division. I encourage you during these times to observe the witness on Earth and listen for God’s voice on our hearts about matters of the world.

Remember: Any conversation or activity that contributes to division, hatred, violence, or disrespect of another human being hurts all of us as a human family. We pray that people relate to each other with dignity and respect.

Read more: https://www.grdominicans.org/how_can_i_help/

LCWR is inviting all of us to engage in collective contemplative prayer in a virtual prayer space throughout the days of the United States Republican and Democratic National Conventions and the days of the National Election.

These days of prayer are open to all, bridging the divide between culture, religion and politics through the witness and commitment we make to the power of collective contemplation.

The virtual prayer space will be open during the following days:
July 15, 12:00 AM ET -- July 18, 11:59 PM ET

August 19, 12:00 AM ET -- August 22, 11:59 PM ET

November 4, 12:00 AM ET -- November 6, 11:00 PM ET

Link to the virtual prayer space: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85084518325
We will be using the Zoom Webinar format, so participants will not be seen, and the comment function will be turned off. All those who sign in will see the invitation to pray together and the number of those who have gathered together in contemplation.

🟣 Transforming Grace: The Work of Transformative Justice 🟣

This week's reflection invites us to believe that something else is possible.

On June 29, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids Congregation gathered in Chapel of the Word/Marywood to share their appreciation for the service of the outgoing 2018-2024 Leadership Team. The Leadership Team’s term encompassed establishing the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters Foundation, the sale of the Motherhouse building, the subsequent move of Sisters and offices to multiple locations, and the most intense months of the Covid pandemic. Read More & View Photo Gallery: https://www.grdominicans.org/photo-gallery-thanks-giving-ritual-congregation-bids-farewell-to-leadership-team-2018-2024/

On July 1, the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters’ 2024-2030 Leadership Team began a six-year term of service, just hours after their formal installation during a ritual at Chapel of the Word/Marywood on June 30. We welcome the new team: Sisters Megan McElroy, O.P., prioress, Diane Zerfas, O.P., vicaress, Mary Donnelly, O.P., councilor, and Kathi Sleziak, O.P., councilor. Read More & View Photo Gallery: https://www.grdominicans.org/new-grand-rapids-dominican-sisters-leadership-team-takes-office/

"Twenty-five years ago I became a Dominican Associate! When I was asked about becoming an Associate, I wondered where this journey was taking me. It became a wonderful experience." https://www.grdominicans.org/patricia-madura-jubilarian-2024-25-years-an-associate/

🎉 We congratulate Pat Madura on 25 Years as a Grand Rapids Dominican Associate!

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🥳 Happy July Birthday Sisters! 🥳
Celebrating this month (from top left) are:
Sister Tereska Wozniak OP
Sister David Therese Korson OP
Sister Alice Wittenbach OP
Sister Elaine LaBell OP
Sister Megan McElroy OP
Sister Maria Goretti Beckman OP
Sister Carmen Rostar OP
Sister Catherine Williams OP
Sister Teresa Houlihan OP
Sister Mary Kay Oosdyke OP

🎉 Happy 75th Jubilee Sr. Rose Mary Belanger, OP! 🎉
https://www.grdominicans.org/sr-rose-mary-belanger-o-p-jubilarian-2024-75-years-a-sister/

"Time goes by so fast, and here I am celebrating 75 years as a Dominican Sister. I first saw Marywood in September of 1944. I was coming as an aspirant. The Sisters at St. Mary’s in Lake Leelanau had inspired me to be one of them. They were such beautiful women that I wanted to be both a teacher and a Sister. Now, I realize that the Lord was showing me the path of life that I should follow. "

ALERT Tuesday, June 25, 2024 -- Due to this morning's storms and power outages at Dominican Center and Marywood, Centering Prayer is cancelled today. Stay safe, friends. We look forward to seeing you next week. https://www.grdominicans.org/program-retreat/centering-prayer/

Jan Murphy celebrates 25 Years as a Grand Rapids Dominican Associate 🎉 Congratulations Jan! 🎉
https://www.grdominicans.org/jan-murphy-jubilarian-2024-25-years-an-associate/

"When the position opened at Aquinata Hall, I was certain that God himself had put me there. As time went by, and the Associate Program opened, I was ready to be a part of the Grand Rapids Dominican Associates. I was on the advisory board for many years. It has been in these experiences where I have continued growing in my faith, this community and in faith enriching activities."

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Celebrating her 75th Jubilee, Sister Edith Kahler thanks God for all His blessings and prays each day for peace: https://www.grdominicans.org/sr-edith-kahler-jubilarian-2024-75-years-a-sister/

🎉Congratulations Sister Edith! 🎉

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As we continue to raise awareness about gun violence, did you know that the United States gun homicide rate is 26 times that of other many other countries? We can end gun violence! everytownresearch.org

Welcome to Our New Dominican Associates

On Friday, June 7, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids welcomed six new Associates: Lisa Tamblyn Bergman, Cathy Bishop, Becky Evans, Mary Koss, Phillip Johnson, and Joline Wyman.

Dominican Associates are non-vowed women and men who desire to practice their Christian faith in the spirit of the Dominican Order of Preachers. More than 150 Associates have made commitment to Associate Life with the Dominican Sisters~Grand Rapids, supporting one another and bringing Dominican values to their family, community, place of worship and workplace.

Each year, Associate Life Director Lisa Mitchell interviews interested candidates and helps them engage in the discernment process. Sister and Associate mentors guide discerners in learning about Dominican Spirituality and the pillars of Prayer, Study, Community, and Service.

We are blessed by the presence of these men and women and trust that their love and compassion will bring light to the world.

June 12 is World Day Against Child Trafficking -- “...too many small hands are busy plowing fields, working in mines, traveling great distances to draw water and doing work that prevents them from attending school,” the Pope lamented, thinking also of the victims of child prostitution which has “robbed millions of children of the joy of their youth and their God-given dignity.” https://www.grdominicans.org/the-world-day-against-child-labour/