Northeast Ohio Associates Retreat, Southern Ohio Associates Recommit

Northeast Ohio and Pittsburgh Associates Discernment Retreat
"What can you do to promote world peace?  Go home and love your family."

These words of Mother Teresa began our day of reflection and discernment for Associates and Candidates from Alliance, Akron, Cleveland and Warren, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The theme of the retreat day was "Becoming Peace" and the day was adapted from the first Associates Retreat in Great Bend, Kansas.

Throughout the day, 36 Associates, Candidates, and Sisters, gathered in the Chapel of our Akron Motherhouse and read excerpts from Scripture, John Dear, SJ, and others to reflect on their hopes for becoming "peacemakers." Associate Madeleine Breen, OPA, and Sr. Amy  McFrederick, OP, shared their talented voices and music to make the day a musical offering to God. Associate Jim Tinnin, OPA, gave witness to his Associate life, and Associate Fr. John McDonough, OPA, presided at the Eucharistic celebration to conclude the day.

Southern Ohio Associates Celebrate Re-Commitment Ceremony
Sisters, family, and friends joined our Southern Ohio Associates at the Martin de Porres Center in Columbus to celebrate being "Called and Sent By God To Be the Holy Preaching".  This re-commitment ceremony invited 96 Associates to renew their dedication "as part of the world-wide Dominican Family to a life rooted in prayer, study, community and ministry."

Sr. Gemma Doll, OP, Leadership Team member and Sr. Amy McFrederick, OP, with Associate Conni Dubick, OPA, Co-Directors, participated in this four year renewal event. Associate Adele Sheffieck, OPA, preached inspiring words using the image of "how beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!" Sr. Juliana D’Amato, OP, and Associate Adele Sheffieck, OPA, the Mentor Team for Ongoing Formation, and Associate Jan Wilson, OPA, coordinated the process which concluded with the official signing of the Associates Commitment Statement witnessed by Sisters and Associates.