Dominican Sisters of Peace
Celebrating one year as a new congregation

In April, the Dominican Sisters of Peace marked their one-year anniversary. The congregation was founded on Easter Sunday 2009 through the union of seven former congregations. With offices, ministries, sisters, and associates in several geographic locations, the congregation commemorated its first anniversary with celebrations in various parts of the country and world. READ MORE

Christians in Iraq
Dominican sisters urge prayer, action

Four buses full of Christian students left Karakosh, Iraq on Nineveh Plain for Mosul University on Sunday May 2. Just outside the village limits a car bomb exploded, injuring at least 188 students on the buses and killing one bystander. The Dominican Sisters of Springfield have posted an alert on their web site suggesting action steps to help address the situation. READ MORE

Racine Dominicans
Sister to share stories of her service in Vietnam

Racine Dominican Sister Linda McClenahan is among the Vietnam War veterans represented in an upcoming television documentary called “Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories.” The three-hour program will air on Wisconsin Public Television at 8 p.m. on May 24-26. READ MORE

Nuclear Disarmament
Sisters take part in international event in New York

Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters Mary Pat Beatty, Carol Gilbert, Barbara Hansen, Ardeth Platte, Jean Reimer, Alice Wittenbach and Lucianne Siers gathered in Manhattan’s uptown during rush hour on the very hot afternoon of April 30 to begin three days of activities associated with the International Conference for a Nuclear Free, Peaceful, Just and Sustainable World. READ MORE

Caldwell Dominicans
Sisters elect new leadership

The Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell, New Jersey, elected new leadership at their chapter in early April. The chapter theme, “Past is Prologue,” shaped the sisters’ contemplative dialogue during sessions that included prayer, music, presentations and vibrant discussion of relevant issues. READ MORE

Sinsinawa Mound
Armchair Lands of Dominic Pilgrimage June 13–18

Sinsinawa Mound is offering a new version of touring Europe. Instead of going there, come to the Mound for an "Armchair Lands of Dominic Pilgrimage." June 13-18, explore through lectures, discussion, and liturgies the areas where St. Dominic lived and preached, all presented just as if you were on the actual pilgrimage. READ MORE

Aquinas Institute of Theology
May is month of graduation, ordinations

Five Aquinas Institute of Theology seminarians were ordained to the priesthood or to the transitional diaconate in May. At the commencement ceremony May 7, 77 women and men were awarded graduate degrees and certificates. Aquinas Institute, based in St. Louis, is a Catholic graduate school of theology and ministry sponsored by the Dominican Order. READ MORE

Blauvelt Dominicans
Sisters help political refugee build new life in U.S.

In November 1999, Elsa, age 35, found herself at the Holiday Inn in Orangeburg, New York. For most people, a night at the Holiday Inn wouldn’t be a shock, but for Elsa, it was the first place of rest after a long voyage from Africa. Her family had paid a man to bring her by boat to the United States as a refugee fleeing the political situation in her homeland. READ MORE

Faith and Film
How to Train Your Dragon

It’s been a pretty dismal spring at the movies. Nothing has looked intriguing enough to spend my time and $10+ in months. Over the course of the last few weeks, I began to hear some good things about an animated 3-D movie called How to Train Your Dragon. If you’ve been reading my reviews, you know I have enjoyed the resurgence of animated movies over the last few years. So I decided to check it out. READ THE REVIEW by Tom Condon, OP

The next Dominican Life | USA update will be published on Wednesday, June 2. Deadline for submission of articles/photos is Friday, May 28.