Christians in Iraq
Global Dominican day of prayer and fasting Nov. 22

In solidarity with our Catholic brothers and sisters in Iraq, the Iraq Coordinating Committee offers Nov. 22 as a day of prayer and fasting in light of the killings in Baghdad and other areas where Christians have been direct victims of explosives since Oct. 31. Three different prayer forms may be used for private and communal reflection: A photo meditation, a booklet of common prayer, and a prayer to the Holy Spirit.

Dominican Sisters in Iraq
New book, ‘Drawn by Love,’ tells story of congregation

For the first time in their 133-year history, a small congregation of Iraqi Dominican Sisters is sharing the compelling story of their community’s founding and unfolding in a turbulent region, under unusual ecclesial circumstances. In a new book “Drawn by Love: A History of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena,” Sister Marie Therese Hanna, OP, former prioress of the congregation, tells the story of their founding as a lay community at the end of the 19th century, to present day Iraq where the Catholic sisters are striving to rebuild their country. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to help finance the higher education of the congregation’s young sisters. READ MORE

Reader Survey
We need your input!

Currently, our subscriber list for Dominican Life | USA numbers close to 3,800. Traffic to the web site continues to average around 2,000 unique visitors each month. In the interest of continuing to inform, promote and inspire, we have prepared a brief readership survey using SurveyMonkey. There are 17 questions, and the survey should take about 5 minutes to complete. We welcome your feedback! Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete our online survey. GO TO SURVEY

Mission Congress 2010
Sr. Janice offers insights from 40 years of mission in Africa

Sister Janice McLaughlin, MM, presented one of the keynote addresses at the 2010 Mission Congress Oct. 28–31 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her talk, titled “Turned Upside Down: Lessons from the Margins,” was drawn from 40 years of experience as a missioner in South Africa. Sister Janice is currently president of the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic. READ MORE

Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award
Sr. Corinne honored for community investment work

Adrian Dominican Sister Corinne Florek, OP, received the Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award from Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) in recognition of her long-time dedication to community investment. The award was presented Nov. 4 at the 2010 OFN conference at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco. Sister Corinne is director of the Mercy Partnership Fund and the Religious Communities Investment Fund. READ MORE

Liberation Theology
Gustavo Gutierrez, OP, speaks at Vanderbilt

Gustavo Gutiérrez, OP, Dominican priest and author of “A Theology of Liberation; History, Politics, Salvation,” and other works on topics of spirituality and Latin American history, spoke on the Vanderbilt University campus Nov. 8. Gutiérrez’s address, “Liberation Theology: 40 Years Later,” was sponsored by Vanderbilt's Center for Latin American Studies. His talk was videotaped and is available for viewing on the Vanderbilt University web site. VIEW VIDEO

St. Mary's Dominican High School
School celebrates founders day, start of 150th anniversary

On Nov. 5, St. Mary's Dominican High School celebrated Founders Day and its 150th anniversary kickoff, marking the beginning of an 18-month celebration of Dominican’s sesquicentennial year. Beginning with a Founders Day Mass, the Dominican High School community and special guests celebrated this milestone together. Seven Dominican seniors portrayed the seven original founders of Dominican High School who arrived in New Orleans from Cabra, Ireland exactly 150 years ago. READ MORE

Young Dominican Mission Team
First presentations given in New York

A team of six young adults spoke at the Dominican College of Blauvelt Oct. 30 and Molloy College in Rockville Centre Nov. 1. Their presentations were the result of training they received in August on Dominican spirituality, St. Dominic and the mission of the order, as well as some hands-on experience in public speaking and group dynamics. READ MORE

Palestine Coordinating Committee
Dominicans encouraged to support boat to Gaza

U.S. peace activists are raising $370,000 to purchase a boat to sail from a Mediterranean port this coming spring. The Audacity of Hope will be part of an international Free Gaza Flotilla that will challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza by sailing humanitarian aid to Gaza. The U.S. Dominican Palestine Coordinating Committee supports the Audacity of Hope, and hopes you will, too. READ MORE

The next Dominican Life | USA update will be published on Wednesday, December 1. Deadline for submission of articles/photos is Friday, November 26. Happy Thanksgiving!