Associates Journeys - Begin and Continue

A Journey Begins
"Lead me that I may journey with a heart full of adoration, reparation and thanksgiving in the company of Dominic, Catherine of Siena, Catherine de'Ricci and Lucy Eaton Smith." - De' Ricci Associates Prayer

It was a sun-filled September Sunday in McLean, Virginia, when de' Ricci Associates and Sisters gathered to begin the process of praying together, exchanging ideas, and asking and answering questions. Associates Alice Berney, Jane Catron, Angela Dinkle, Linda Goff, Dick and Pat Kelly, and Muriel Laliberte and Srs. Agnes Gott, Pat Mood, and Carmen Aragon welcomed Sr. Amy McFrederick and Associate Conni Dubick for this meeting to launch the de' Ricci Associates discernment process.

The Co-Directors will visit de' Ricci Associates and Sisters at the retreat houses in Upper New York in October and Philadelphia in December. The discernment journey for the de' Ricci Associates will continue until their commitment as Associates in mission with Dominican Sisters of Peace in 2013.

Candidates Begin in Kentucky
Associate Mary Beth Irvine, OPA, reports: "Ripples of laughter and expression of deep faith spread through the Madonna Conference Room at St. Catharine Motherhouse as a group of six new candidates began their journey toward becoming Dominicans of Peace in 2013. Each Candidate was presented the Associate Guidebook by their two companions on the journey. Several additional Associates gathered with them to share the afternoon."

Kansas Garage Sale - A Success!
Associate Mary Klinge, OPA, reports: "Our Associates came from southwest, northwest, and central Kansas to help with our Annual Associates Garage Sale. In fact, our newest Associate drove down on Wednesday morning and after working all day made the 200 mile trip back home the same day. When we set up on Thursday, it turned out to be close to 100 degrees, but in spite of the high temperatures and hot garages we got everything in its place. With a very few exceptions, nothing was priced. It was 'take what you want and pay what you think it is worth.'

The morning of the sale, we could not have asked for a more beautiful day. It was about 48 degrees that morning when we arrived at 6:15am. Our customers started lining up before 6:30. We had a steady crowd nearly all morning. At noon we took three loads of unsold items to the Goodwill, two loads to the Women's Shelter, and some books to the Library. Both Sisters and Associates helped, and we were cleaned up before 1 pm. We feel like we were truly blessed this weekend. This shows what can be done with teamwork."