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From left:
Srs. Beverly Hebel, Esther Szambelan, Mary Marie, Davida Finn,
and Rosa Rauth in the dining room at Sinsinawa Mound. |
Switching
Sisters: Living with Another Community
RACINE, WI - October 27, 2008 -- In an effort to learn more about
one another’s
community, three Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters recently spent a week
at Siena Center, motherhouse of the Racine Dominicans, while three
Racine Dominicans stayed at the Sinsinawa Mound for the week. The
goal was to have sisters get to know one another and absorb some
of each other’s unique Dominican culture and spirit. Though
the Dominican Leadership Conference affords community leaders an
opportunity to connect, opportunities are growing that enable
sisters within different communities to meet one another.
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From left: Srs. Joyce
Quintana, Vivian Gorman, Dorothy Ann Greiber, Carolus Scaife,
Josette Pahl, and Marian Diedrick in St. Dominic's courtyard
at the Racine Dominican motherhouse. |
Sisters Josette Pahl, Carolus Scaife and Vivian Gorman represented
Sinsinawa in the exchange, and Racine Dominican Sisters Esther
Szambelan, Davida Finn and Beverly Hebel represented their community.
“It was a very good experience,” reflected S. Beverly. “We
do some things differently, but overall, we’re very similar.” S.
Vivian agreed, saying "The meaning of being Dominican, including a life
of study, prayer, and mission is the same in both places."
Guests in each location were paired with local sisters who served
as their hosts. Each host invited her partner to partake in daily
activities, meals and prayer with her. “S. Rosa [Rauth] was ‘the
tops!’” S. Davida said appreciatively of her host who “anticipated
my every need” and who made sure she sat with different sisters
for each meal, introducing her to many Sinsinawa sisters.
Sinsinawa hosts took their Racine sisters to area sites of historical
significance to their community, such as Benton, WI, where their
founder, Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, is buried, and New Diggings, where
he built a church. They also traveled to nearby Dubuque to see
the motherhouses of several other religious communities.
The Racine hosts took their Sinsinawa guests to the Eco-Justice
Center and the Bethany Apartments domestic abuse shelter, two of
their sponsored ministries. "I'm impressed with the undertaking
of their HOPES Center," said S. Carolus. The HOPES Center
is an outreach ministry begun this month in Racine’s downtown
area.
Reflecting on her time spent in Racine, S. Josette said it was
time well spent. "I was impressed with their concern, helpfulness,
and sharing. We have a lot to gain from one another."
Jean Mullooly
Director of Communications
Dominican Sisters of
Racine and
Tricia Buxton
Director of Communmications
Dominican Sisters of
Sinsinawa |