Welcome to the Inaugural Newsletter of the Office of Dominican Charism | |
We are very excited to present this inaugural newsletter of the Office of Dominican Charism! As the General Council Liaison to the office, I am delighted at all that has been accomplished since the office was established one year ago and excited about what is to come.
This newsletter is a special resource and point of connection for all our Partners in Mission – that is, all of you who are Associates, Co-workers at the Motherhouse, and Co-workers at our Adrian Dominican sponsored and legacy institutions. Beyond that, it reaches donors, alumni of our schools, and seekers who journey with us.
The mission of the office is to animate and support women and men in their commitment to Dominican life, values, and spirituality. Through these past months, the office has created coordinating circles for Associates in the areas of Community Life, Spirituality, and Social Justice, each circle taking responsibility for the growth of Associate Life in those areas. As Associates take on more leadership, they are becoming progressively more integral to passing on the Dominican Charism.
The office has also formed an overall Formation Committee, which is preparing materials and experiences of all things Dominican. It can provide resources and guidance as our sponsored and legacy institutions strive to imbue Co-workers with the richness of the Dominican Charism.
The Adrian Dominican Congregation is so convinced of the need for the Charism in our world and of the critical role that all of you Charism Carriers play, that we have created this office with two full-time positions.
Nancy Mason Bordley serves as Director of the Office of Dominican Charism. An Associate for many years, Nancy oversees the entire office with a particular focus on fostering and empowering Associate Life. Elizabeth Keith serves as the Dominican Charism Coordinator and has a particular focus on all our sponsored and legacy institutions. We are so pleased with the passion, vision, and commitment of both Nancy and Liz.
Our hope is that the Office of Dominican Charism connects all of you who are drawn to the Charism, helps you to integrate that call ever more deeply into your lives, and empowers you to share the Dominican Charism with the world, as we strive together to seek truth, make peace, and reverence life.
We envision that the office becomes not so much a physical place but a spiritual hub for more and more women and men who strive to witness, as St. Dominic did, the goodness of God, the value of creation, and the need to care for our neighbor, always striving to preach the truth in love.
In the Spirit of Dominic and Catherine,
Lorraine Reaume, OP
General Council Liaison
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As we prepare to celebrate Founder’s Day in Adrian, we invite all our Partners, near and far, to join us in prayer and celebration. Feel free to use this prayer and adapt as needed. | |
Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference
Written by Katherine Frazier, OP, DYMUSA Executive Director
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The Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference (DHSPC) began in 1999 by Sister Pat Brady, OP, to promote the Dominican charism in Dominican high schools across the United States. In the years since, students and their school mentors have come from places as diverse as Australia, California, Puerto Rico, New York, Texas, and Chicago to participate in the conference and take what they have learned back to their home campuses.
Over the days together, the participants have the opportunity to learn about Dominican saints, social justice issues, and different methods of preaching, as well as to integrate what they have learned in a service experience.
We are currently planning the 23rd DHSPC after having taken a pause for the past three years. I am so excited that we will once again be coming to Siena Heights University, Saturday to Thursday, June 24-29, 2023. We are currently in the process of recruiting schools to join us for this conference, and we are hopeful that a large group of young adults and their mentors will be joining us over the week.
The Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference would not be possible without the many people who support the mission behind the conference. I am so grateful for the many men and women who make this conference happen, from the presenters to musicians to cooks.
This year is no different, and there are several ways that all of you can be involved! I am currently seeking:
- Volunteers to help with set up on Friday and Saturday, June 23 and 24, as well as throughout the week.
- Drivers to and from the Detroit Airport for pickups and drop-offs.
- Delivery drivers for lunch on Tuesday, June 27.
- Musicians who would be willing to play at our liturgies and prayer services.
- Donations to help us cover the cost of our supplies.
- And, above all, your prayers for a successful conference!
If you are able to meet any of these needs and are interested in taking part in some way, please reach out to me, Sister Katherine Frazier, OP, at info@dymusa.org.
We are so grateful to have your support and prayers. Thanks to our supporters, I truly believe that this good work will continue for many years to come!
If you would like to learn more about the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference and the Dominican Youth Movement, visit https://www.dymusa.org/
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Dominican Charism Initiative
Written by Nancy Mason Bordley, Director, Office of Dominican Charism
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In the recently created Dominican Charism Initiative, voices from across the Dominican Family share their perspectives on the unique gift of the Dominican Charism. This online learning experience provides members of the Dominican Family – vowed members, Associates, and Dominican Partners and Companions – the opportunity to reflect on and grow in understanding and living our Dominican Charism with ever greater integrity and commitment.
Over the course of seven modules, participants explore varied dimensions of the Dominican Charism. The seven modules are:
- The Life, Spirit & Mission of St. Dominic
- The Call to Preach
- The Call to Action
- Global Dominican Family
- The Call to Truth
- Dominican Prayer
- Dominican Spirituality
Each 20-minute, interactive session within the module is self-paced, consisting of prayer, video presentations, guided reflections, and opportunities for collaboration with participants from across the globe. Participation is offered free of charge to Sisters, Associates, and Co-workers in sponsored institutions.
I have been invited to serve as the contact person for this project. My role is basically twofold: to invite you to register and to help those who might encounter any problems in registering or logging onto the site.
To participate in this learning experience, you are asked to please complete this online registration. Following your registration, you will receive a welcome email with information on how to participate in the modules.
For further information, please check the website https://www.opcharism.org or contact me.
This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with all our Dominican Family to celebrate how the gift of our charism makes a difference in our lives and in the world today.
Associate Nancy Mason Bordley, D.Min.
Director, Office of Dominican Charism
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