Nuclear Disarmament
Pax Christi: New START needs you!

On Nov. 9, Pax Christi sent an Action Alert regarding the new START to its e-newsletter subscribers, which begins: “The ratification of new START by the Senate is dependent on its being brought up for a vote on the floor during the Senate lame duck session, which starts Nov. 15… Major efforts are being made to bring it to the floor but this will not be done unless it is clear that new START has the 67 votes necessary for ratification… Given the recent mid-term elections, new START needs to be ratified this year. This is where you come in.” READ MORE

Immigration
DLC resolves to support, promote comprehensive reform

At its annual meeting in October, the Dominican Leadership Conference adopted a Resolution on Immigration Reform. This powerfully worded document includes a commitment to include the plight of immigrants and the call for justice for immigrants in Dominican preaching; expand social services and pastoral ministry to immigrants and migrants; and work collaboratively with others to achieve comprehensive immigration reform. Many Dominicans across the country are already living this commitment in their day-to-day ministries. READ MORE

Rafto Prize
Bishop Raul Vera honored for defense of human rights

José Raúl Vera López, OP, bishop of Saltillo Diocese, Mexico, has been awarded the Rafto Prize 2010 from the Rafto Foundation for Human Rights, Norway, for his extensive and courageous defense of human rights in Mexico. “As we recognize the 500 years of Dominican preachers in the Americas, I see our brother Bishop Raul as a sign of the presence of Christ in our struggle. He gives us hope and direction,” said Kathy Long, OP (Sinsinawa). Sister Kathy has lived and worked in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico for the past five years. READ MORE

Seton Medal
Sister Barbara Reid earns recognition as theologian

On Oct. 20, Sister Barbara Reid received the St. Elizabeth Seton Medal from the College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, Ohio. The award is named in honor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, foundress of the Sisters of Charity, the congregation that established the College of Mount St. Joseph in 1920. The award, established in 1966, recognizes distinguished women in theology. Barbara Reid is currently vice president and academic dean at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. READ MORE

National Distinguished Principal
Sister Mary Joan Sorge among those honored in D.C.

On Oct. 14–15 , Sister Mary Joan Sorge joined 61 other National Distinguished Principals in Washington, D.C. Together, they shared best practices and reflected on the heart and soul of leadership. Activities included a formal reception at the State Department and a gala banquet during which each honoree received the National Distinguished Principal school bell and a framed certificate bearing the Great Seal of the United States. READ MORE

Collaborative Dominican Novitiate
Five novices experience communal life in St. Louis

Five women (Colleen McDermott, Kathy Repass, Xiomara Mendez Hernandez, Erin Muldoon and Chela Gonzalez) are participating in the 2010–2011 Collaborative Dominican Novitiate. The purpose of the CDN is to provide a collaborative communal novitiate experience for canonical novices, and to build relationships across congregations. The 10-month program includes opportunities for the novices to study at Aquinas Institute with the Dominican student friars as well as with men and women novices from other religious congregations. Megan McElroy, OP (Grand Rapids) and Joye Gros, OP (Peace) are the new CDN co-directors. READ MORE

Kaleidoscope
Spirituality of Dominican leadership webcast is Dec. 11

On Saturday, Dec. 11, Margaret Ormond, OP, prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, will present “The Spirit of Dominican Leadership: Responding to the Call of Shared Responsibility." Margaret’s presentation will invite participants to explore and release our God-given gifts through the network of relationships that we know as the common good. This webcast is sponsored by Kaleidoscope but open to participants of all ages. READ MORE

AYCARDUS Project
Translation of Eckhart’s works a collaborative effort

In early 2010, the AYCARDUS Project launched an exciting venture to make accessible translations of Meister Eckhart’s works not available in English. This unique “academic co-operative” model fosters a collaborative online effort among scholars and serious students of the great Dominican mystic. Project coordinator Michael Demkovich, OP, is eager to recruit other Dominicans interested in working on this valuable undertaking. READ MORE

Books
Catherine of Siena: A Passionate Life

A new biography of Saint Catherine of Siena by Don Brophy, former acquiring editor and managing editor of Paulist Press. Against the backdrop of 14th-century Europe—a time of social turmoil, outbreaks of the bubonic plague, a catastrophic war that devastated the continent, and an overall transition between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance—this intelligent and comprehensive biography of an oftentimes irreverent, intense, and fiery woman offers an entry point into the life of Catherine of Siena. READ MORE

Faith and Film
The Social Network

The Social Network chronicles the inception of Facebook, the enormously influential social networking site. The film tells the story of Mark Zuckerberg, a Harvard undergrad, who came up with the original idea behind Facebook as a way for Harvard students to connect with each other. The great irony exposed by the film is that Zuckerberg, the man behind social networking, has very limited social skills himself. Review by Tom Condon, OP. READ MORE

The next Dominican Life | USA update will be published on Wednesday, November 17. Deadline for submission of articles/photos is Friday, November 12.