Associates Proclaim: "We are called by God"

Monday, August 13, 2012

Author:

Associate Conni Dubick, OPA

"We, the Associates, in relationship with the Dominican Sisters of Peace, are called by God to become the Holy Preaching by promoting the liberating truth of the Gospel of Jesus, and collaborating with God for the transformation of all creation."
- Statement of Commitment by Dominican Associates of Peace

Four ceremonies this weekend in Akron, OH, Columbus, OH, Great Bend, KS, and Oxford, MI, were filled with proclamations from Dominican Associates of Peace as they committed themselves to the call and the Dominican preaching mission through a life rooted in prayer, study, community, and ministry.

Mentor Team and Associate Council members (Associates Phyllis Abrams, Madeleine Breen, Bobbie Cline, Shannon Davis, Murph Fitzpatrick, Connie Ginest, Judy Hardy, Ginger Kroos, Madalene Jentgen, Mary Klinge, Mary Marxen, Betty Peck, Lucy Strohl, Janice Wilson, and Srs. Janice Bachman, Mary Joel Campbell, Jolene Geier, Marie Hohman, Amy McFrederick, Dorothy Sarachene, Jeanette Stang, Martina Stegman, and Joan Wolf) contributed to the discernment process for new Candidates who made initial commitments and current Associates who renewed and reaffirmed their commitments.

Associate Paul Layshock challenged participants in Akron to reflect on St. Paul's advice to the Ephesians 4:22-24:"You should put away the old self of your former way of life, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds and put on a new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth" (click here to read the full text). In Columbus, Associate Judy Hardy emphasized "the four pillars of Dominican life and the richness of the community of the Dominican Family to which all Associates belong" (click here to read the full text). A theme in the preaching of Paul and Judy was for Associates to recognize the opportunities "to praise, to bless, and to preach in their lives, and within their families, churches, neighborhoods, workplaces, and cities."

Oxford, Michigan, Associates Commitment Ceremony