The Story of the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference

The Story of the Dominican High School Preaching Conference
The first Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference was held at Queen of Peace High School in Burbank, IL (Chicago) from June 13-18, 1999. Thirty-nine students from 17 Dominican high schools participated in this ground-breaking event. Women and men representing many Dominican congregations/provinces participated in the conference as planners, presenters, prayer leaders, and mentors for the student group.

The following summer (2000), the conference was moved to Dominican University in River Forest, IL to accommodate an increased number of participants (seventy-four). Dominican University remained the host site for the 2001-2003 conferences. In 2004, the conference moved to Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI, where it continues to be hosted. At this point in time, several hundred young people have participated in these annual gatherings.

The theme of the conference has remained the same: each of us is called to preach the Gospel in our own unique way.  During the six-day conference, Dominicans (members of the Order of Preachers) highlight the charism of preaching as it has been practiced from the earliest days of the Order to the present. Participants meet many Dominicans who preach the Gospel in a variety of settings. Participants also have the opportunity to visit service sites where they can "put their preaching into action."

Each day begins and ends with a prayer/ritual prepared by the participants with the assistance of Dominican liturgists. At the closing Eucharistic celebration, school teams share ways that they can take the message of the conference back to their school communities.

Sr. Mary Soher, OP, (Adrian) is the director of the conference.
The 2009 Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference will once again be held at Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI beginning on June 27 and concluding on July 2.

St. Dominic and the Veritas Award

Beginning in 2005, the conference began to honor graduates of the conference and recognize schools that have shared the mission of the conference throughout their communities. 

Michele Frigo, a graduate of Rosary High School in Aurora, Illinois, received the St. Dominic Award. This is presented to conference graduates who have let the conference form them in their decisions and actions.

Sandy Iwanski, the campus minister from Rosary High School, shared the ways in which Michele embodies all that the conference is about.

Mount St. Dominic Academy (MDSA), from Caldwell, New Jersey, received the Veritas Award, which goes to a school who has been a significant witness to the ideals of the Dominican Order. MDSA has been consistent in their dedicated efforts to fulfill the goals of the Preaching Conference since its conception. MDSA sent two students to the first conference, held in 1999 at Queen of Peace High School in Burbank, Illinois, and has sent students to the conference every year since.

The participants of previous conferences embody our theme this year – “Get Emotional Dominican Style.” One would not find anyone at this Academy just going through the motions. The Young Preachers preach at all school prayer services and at some liturgies, most recently at the Baccalaureate Liturgy. In addition, they plan the opening prayer at the beginning of the school year for faculty and each class.

They started and continue with GAP, God Answers Prayers, an ongoing weekly prayer group, and have named classrooms and offices after Dominicans, posting information about the Dominican and an icon picture at each entrance.

The graduates of the Preaching Conference are major movers in the ongoing school Justice Project; they work with the Order and the Caldwell Dominican Sisters in addressing specific issues, including Human Trafficking.

School days begin by praying, “In the Dominican Tradition, I pledge to search for truth through study, work to create a caring community, reach out to others by preaching and just actions, and to enfold my life in prayer. May God Creator bless us; may God Redeemer heal us; and may God the Holy Spirit fill us with light. Amen.” Dominican feast days are marked by special announcements as well.

The MSDA community is larger than just the building; the students have worked with the Preacher from St. Dominic Academy, Jersey City, NJ and Lacordaire Academy, Upper Montclair, NJ for a presentation and prayer for the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell.

Sister Frances Sullivan, OP, principal of MSDA, accepted the 2009 Veritas Award on behalf of Mount St. Dominic Academy. Sister Fran has been an invaluable support to this conference and to the young preachers as they return, filled with emotion and fire, to share their experience with the school community. Linda Arndt, Academic Dean, was also present for the special occasion.

St. Dominic Award is presented to a graduate of the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference for her/his  continued commitment to the ideals of the Dominican Order and deep desire to preach the gospel in  and through her/his life.

Previous Recipients
2009   Michele Frigo, Rosary High School, Aurora, IL
2008   Emily Komos, St. Pius X High School, Houston, TX
2007   Michael Dial, Sacred Heart Griffin High School, Springfield, IL
2006   Not presented
2005 St. Catherine  Jenn Purcell, Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, IL
2005 St. Dominic     Jason Calvi, Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, IL

Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference the 2009 Veritas Award is awarded to the Students of a particular school for their significant witness to the ideals of the Dominican Order.

Previous recipients
2009   Mount St. Dominic Academy, Caldwell, NJ
2008   Queen of Peace High School, Burbank, IL
2007   Colegio San Antonio, Isabela, Puerto Rico
2006   St. Pius X High School, St. Agnes Academy, Houston, TX and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Hammond, LA and St. Mary’s Dominican High School, New Orleans, LA