"Miracles occur when we dare to enter the spaces were new life needs to break out. We are the miracle workers only because we go to those places, and then God is there to work through us." Scripture and these words of Edwina Gateley facilitated a time of prayerful sharing during the Western and Central Kansas Discernment Retreat at Heartland Center for Spirituality on June 1 in Great Bend, Kansas.
Candidates and Discerning Dominican Associates across the the United States have been faithfully attending Prayer/Study/Discernment Sessions with their companions, led by area Mentor Teams, since last fall and will soon be participating in a required Associates Discernment Retreat. This special gathering gives them the opportunity to pray and reflect together with other Candidates, Associates, and Sisters in their geographic region before submitting their formal request to become an Associate of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. The first retreat is in June and Commitment ceremonies around the country will be in August and September. Let us all pray for those discerning their call to Dominican Associate life!
Many new and exciting endeavors are underway for the Dominican Volunteers USA (DVUSA)! At our recent corporate board meeting, we were greeted with the good news from DVUSA Executive Director Michael Chapuran that there are 38 new applicants for next year's DVUSA program and six current volunteers who are planning to renew for a second year. Each of these young, enthusiastic people are answering the call of Christ to deepen their spiritual life through prayer, study, community, and service in this wonderful program supported by a network of 17 congregations and provinces of US Dominican Sisters and Friars. Check out this video to learn more.
"Preach the Gospel as if you have a million voices. It is silence that kills the world." ~ Catherine of Siena
"O God, whose Word sends us forth always, unite us in Praising, Blessing, and Preaching your Gospel as if we had a million voices. Guided by the unquenchable Spirit of Jesus Risen, may we, members of the family of Dominic, proclaim your Love and your Truth, and witness to your gift of Peace as you renew the face of the earth. All glory, honor and thanksgiving to you, most Blessed Trinity, forever and ever. Amen" ~ Art (pictured left) and Prayer by Sr. Jan Schlichting, OP
All Dominicans - Associates, Laity, Sisters, Nuns, Friars - are called "To contemplate, and to share with others the fruits of our contemplation." As we live this out through common study, prayer, community, and ministry, our whole life - both alone and together - becomes a "holy preaching." Whether in the blooming of youth, the full flowering of adulthood, or the fruitful seedbearing of aging, each member of the Dominican Family is not only the bearer of the Gospel of Christ, but also the Good News message itself.
Gracious One, guide my footsteps along the path of your truth. Free me to preach your Word. Fill me with the fire of your love. Show me the way of Dominican Life. Lead me, that I may journey with a heart full of adoration, reparation, and thanksgiving in the company of Dominic, Catherine of Siena, Catherine DeRicci, Lucy Eaton Smith, our Dominican Sisters and our Associates. - Excerpt from de' RicciDominican Associates' Prayer
"The Associate relationship is a Christian experience of sharing with the Dominican Sisters of Peace the common Dominican mission - to praise, to bless, to preach - according to the uniqueness of his/her gifts and lifestyle." Introduction, Handbook for Associates
Associates desiring to build a sense of community and unite in mission with Dominican Sisters of Peace and other Associates have several opportunities to do this:
