Mission
Values
Embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Gather the Wisdom of the group through Communal Discernment
Communicate with Integrity, Transparency and Respect
FLT Updates
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Transition Ritual is in Planning Stages
For quite a long time, among the members of the Dominican Sisters Conference, (DSC) there has been a desire, to find a common way to embrace the future of Dominican Life and Mission in the United States. Through the work of the OP Sisterhood Futuring Task Force, that pathway has been made more clear and real. Their work has led to the creation of a new younger cohort of leaders who are being asked to serve as a catalyst for conversation and engagement about the future with sisters under 70 across congregational boundaries.
On July 1, 2021, the DSC Futuring Leadership Team will begin a three-year term.
The new Futuring Leadership Team includes Sisters Carol Dempsey (Caldwell), Pat Magee (Hope), Donna Maria Moses (Mission San Jose), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), and Kathleen Tait (Springfield). They will be working with Mary Ellen O’Grady, OP (Sinsinawa) Interim Director of DSC, and Anne Lythgoe, (Peace) President of the DSC Executive Committee.
The team is the result of the innovative work of the Futuring Task Force, who led a three-year process of discernment and planning. Their vision includes the transmission of the “treasure of Dominican Charism into the future by enhancing the quality of vowed life for those who have joined our congregations in recent years and by supporting them in mission and common life.”
Reflecting on this process, Toni Harris OP (Sinsinawa), Task Force Co-Chair along with Michaela Connolly OP (Blauvelt), commented, “Our Task Force came together in 2018 because we believed then — as now — that assuring our Dominican life and mission into the future requires our conscious and deliberate effort, trusting as always in our Providential God.”
You can learn more about the evolution of the OP Sisterhood Task Force and its role in the Dominican Sisters Conference by viewing this presentation from Sr. Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP (Springfield).
A central focus of the Futuring Leadership Team is to engage those under 70, in inter-congregational conversations about how common dreams and aspirations for a shared future might become reality. “This is no small task” Anne said. It is formidable, but I’d rather think that this new leadership group is being asked to take a set of first steps to engage younger members in critical conversations about topics they have already identified and how they see the evolution of their own congregations in light of the realities we all share.”
A wide range of topics in affinity groups was identified through a survey conducted by the task force last fall. Some of these include inter-congregational living and houses of Holy Preaching, building relationships, justice work, theological study, care of creation, associates, and anti-racism. A database of under 70 sisters is also being called for to promote networking among members.
When the DSC Futuring Leadership Team begins its work officially on July 1, 2021, the Sisterhood Task Force will conclude its work. A virtual celebration of this transition is being planned for some time in July. Details will be forthcoming.
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
The Futuring Leadership Team (FLT) met with the Executive Committee of the Dominican Sisters Conference and Congregational Leaders at the DSC Annual Elected Leaders Meeting in Columbus, OH, and generated ideas for initiating conversations on the future with the Under 70 Cohort.
In early November over 130 from the Under 70 Cohort participated in two Zoom meetings to engage in proactive thinking about the future amid the uncertainties of a post-pandemic world. The Futuring Leadership Team gave an overview of their mission and presented initial plans to develop a common database and convene affinity groups on topics of interest. Sisters in the Cohort agreed to actively engage the conversation about our shared future NOW from a narrative of abundance and explore the question of how to come together in a more concerted way as one Dominican family.
In the coming days members of the Cohort will meet to further the discussion of affinity groups, database development, and the future of the Dominican Order in the United States and worldwide.
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
Since our last update a broad spectrum of designs for Affinity Groups has begun to emerge. Justice, Care for Creation and Immigration (Ana Gonzalez); Four Pillars with a Twist or Play, Pray and Act (Jeanne Shary); Low Carbon Footprint (Corinne Sanders); Return to Our Founding Dominican Charism (Christina Atienza & Abby Newton); Outreach to Young Adults (Mary Soher and Beth Murphy); Inter-congregational Community and Ministry (Donna Moses and Cathy Murray); and Welcoming New Members to the Order (June Fitzgerald).
In the near future the FLT will sketch out plans for an “Affinity Night,” a virtual open space, for the entire Cohort to see what is happening and sample these offerings. Some groups are ready to begin or wanting help to shape a group. The Affinity Night will be an opportunity to get involved in whatever topic gives you passion. Look for an invitation in your inbox soon!
Members of the Database Development group met with ZenaComp and had a very productive session. The Adrian data has now been removed and the branding of the database as Dominican Sisters Conference has begun. The core subgroup is exploring the database itself and early next month we will begin clarifying questions and menu choices. We believe the process for creating a usable relational database will take less time than originally anticipated and hope to have it up and functioning by the summer. We are testing and comparing apps to support our ongoing collaboration.
The Inter-Congregational Community affinity group conveners received an invitation from Janice Brown and Nancyann Turner to help form a Multi-OP-Congregation House in a safe neighborhood in Detroit, across the street from Gesu Church-staffed by the Jesuits. The location is near the University of Detroit and the Marygrove Conservancy and there are many other options for outreach ministry to the poor nearby. If you or someone you know is interested, get in touch with one of them by February 15 to begin the conversation and planning.
As we move into the new reality of 2022, may we continue to inspire and motivate one another in the charism and preaching mission of the Dominican Order.
Peace,
Sisters Pat Magee (Hope), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), and Carol Dempsey (Caldwell)
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
The Omicron surge has loosened its hold, and all of us are looking forward to the post pandemic era. We have experienced the truth of being “one body in Christ” in a very real way, sharing in one another’s suffering, and waiting together in hope for return of brighter days. In late January the Futuring Leadership Team (FLT) met to pray, to share glimpses into the reality of our lives, and to consider a plan for engaging the whole Cohort in boldly and thoughtfully entering the general futuring conversation.
The Database project is moving forward faster than any of us imagined. We are finalizing the fields this month and will work on the design of the dashboard and layout of individual Sisters’ pages next month. A survey was sent to ascertain what applications members are currently paying to use and if there is interest in purchasing a group license for the whole Cohort. Analysis of the results showed significant interest (55%) in a group license for a Zoom account. About 25% were interested in group licenses for Adobe Pro, Adobe Photoshop, and Dropbox.
Members of the Cohort who were interested in joining an affinity group, met Feb 15th for an “Open Space” night. Nine sets of conveners floated their ideas and gathered those interested to set a direction. Energy emulated from the conversations and clarity emerged for the direction of each group. A common desire for authentic Dominican life and mission permeated each of the topics. For Cohort members who were not able to attend but want to join a group, the conveners will be sending out invitations to the entire cohort to join their next meeting. We look forward to seeing how this evolves and where it may lead in our futuring efforts.
Please add futuring_dominicans@googlegroups.com to your contact list so emails do not go to spam. When a particular place or issue is calling for an inter-congregational response, all are encouraged to communicate it using this group email. The FLT plans to develop a private page on the DSC website where creative new opportunities can be promoted, and affinity groups that are ongoing can report on their progress. Look for more about that in future updates.
Peace and blessings,
Sisters Pat Magee (Hope), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), and Carol Dempsey (Caldwell)
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
What are the potential next steps for developing a vision with the Cohort? Some vital initial steps have been completed. The DSC secured a generous grant from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) to fund the futuring project. Regular channels of communication between the FLT and the DSC executive committee, DSC leadership, DSC membership at large and the Under 70 Cohort have been established. Affinity groups on topics of interest and building an accessible database are well underway. The next step is to plan for cross congregational futuring conversations within the DSC.
There is a common sense of urgency about this next step as some congregations have already begun to move in a direction of commissary or fulfillment of mission. We all seek to co-create a preferred future, so that these uncertain times do not undermine our ability to choose. There is a strong shared commitment among members of the Cohort to ensuring the Dominican charism endures as it evolves. A bold question that was asked on the Open Space Night is what the charism will look like if there are no congregations of vowed religious women.
We know that economics in the global market will have an impact on the future of individual congregations and the Dominican Order worldwide. Some of those factors are alarming to say the least. Whatever happens in the future we want our way of life to include service, prayer together, community (however defined) and study. Whether or not the road ahead is leading to unity via a kind of merger or cooperative union, honest, open, and caring relationships across congregations and beyond are vital to fostering realistic hope for the future.
One aspect of the conversation that needs compassionate listening and respectful dialogue is what we see happening or not happening with our congregational associates. Governance structures for the future also need discussion. Seeking a common theological stance and shared understanding of vowed Dominican life are also important parts of the conversation. his month the FLT is drafting a process for opening up these futuring conversations with the Under 70 Cohort in late spring. Ideas from the DSC leadership and members at large are welcome at futuring-leadership-team@googlegroups.com.
Your Sisters,
Pat Magee (Hope), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), and Carol Dempsey (Caldwell)
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
Against the backdrop of our Lenten journey, the horrific Russian invasion of Ukraine and stumbling efforts around the world to return to some semblance of normalcy, the Futuring Leadership Team has grappled with the economic uncertainty that will impact the future of religious life in ways yet unknown. We recognize a return to “doing business as usual” is not feasible for us, nor for the rest of humanity. This reality was made manifest when our plans to meet for an in-person team building event were crushed by the excessive cost of flights and lodging. What we budgeted for this event in 2021 simply was not enough to cover the actual costs in 2022. Instead, we opted to gather by Zoom for a scaled back team building event and booked ahead for the in-person meeting with DSC leadership in Milwaukee in October.
The database is coming along. ZenaComp is in the process of adding the fields we need and getting our menus ready. Joanne Caniglia is designing the survey which will be sent to all sisters under 70 after the first week of May. We urge everyone in the Cohort to fill it out, so we have a more complete picture of who we are in all our variety. We are looking for a few volunteers to help enter the data, and we need one person from each congregation to volunteer to ensure that their congregation’s data is complete and correct. If you can help with either of these tasks, please email us at futuring-leadership-team@googlegroups.com.
Four of the affinity groups that launched in February agreed to meet regularly. The topics under discussion are Justice: Care for Creation & Immigration, New Members, Unlearning Racism, and Seeing with New Eyes – Science and Theology. Group conveners will be receiving an invitation this month to let us know how things are going and if help is needed promoting their ideas. Conveners will prepare a brief video clip telling the Cohort what they would like us to know about their groups. Those clips will be shown at the next quarterly meeting in May. Sisters under 70 are asked to mark your calendars now for that meeting and plan to attend one or both!
Peace,
Sisters Pat Magee (Hope), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), and Carol Dempsey (Caldwell)
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
At visioning sessions held May 15-16 the Cohort drew upon prophetic writings for inspiration and reviewed where the journey has taken us in the past year. A few main areas of interest emerged: community building within the wider Dominican family; ministry and service especially preaching, healing in the institutional Church, and care for creation; relationships and collaboration within the cohort and beyond; and values and spirituality for lifegiving communities.
Several thought-provoking questions also emerged: how can we find out about the individual needs of the members that we could address as a cohort to support one another and our congregations in practical ways; how can we break down the discrepancy between our own needs for support and the needs of the times; how can we free our sisters to go to other places when our own congregations continue to have needs that take precedence; what is our preferred future; what is our unimagined future; how are we going to move forward; how can we equip the younger/newer part of the cohort to live into their identity as Dominicans; how can we better honor generational diversity.
We also noticed the growing number of Dominicans ministering in the United States who are first- or second-generation in the United States or living and working here on visas. As we considered our diverse cultural backgrounds and our current geographical locations, we felt a growing sense of how important it is to be together in person to build a sense of mutuality and community.
The team is taking these questions and suggestions to heart and working on a budget and plan for team building, leadership training, cohort zooms for further visioning, and an in-person cohort event in the summer of 2023. To increase the online presence of the cohort the team is in conversation with the DSC executive committee to link a free shared Google site with DomLife and DSC websites to improve access to information and streamline our communications.
Peace,
Sisters Pat Magee (Hope), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), and Carol Dempsey (Caldwell)
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
Through the months of July and August we have all been involved in chapters, retreats, vacations, congregational shifts, and changes of leadership. Somehow the July Update was never shared, so this month you get a bonanza! We have a growing recognition as a leadership team that although we are committed to the same mission and have the same initials after our names, we have multiple patterns and different ways of doing things. We shared our sense of the uniqueness of our congregations and found some similarities, but also many differences. Each story is sacred. We want to hold the sacred stories while creating a unified future story together.
The data entry continues and is being cross checked by congregational leadership for accuracy. Once it is complete, we will work out access to it for all the members. By September we hope to have a pdf directory available to all for reference. We are also working on creating a dsc.org listserv for the cohort that can be updated annually. The prototype for the Google site entitled Dominican Universe is under construction. Affinity Group Conveners will be invited to use the site to share content for their section. There will be seven people with editing privileges. We hope to have it ready to share with the Cohort in September and with the DSC leadership in October.
It uses colorful cosmic imagery and is divided into four basic areas: Envisioning the Future – What’s Next? Background Orientation, Timeline, Expanding Membership); Building Opportunities –Affinity group reports on Intercommunity Life, Ministry Opportunities and New Members; Furthering the Mission –Affinity group reports on Seeing with New Eyes: Science and Theology, Care for Creation, Immigration and Unlearning Racism; Open Forum – Blog posts from Graced Crossroads: Pathways to Deep Change & Transformation and open forum for chat
Peace,
Sisters Pat Magee (Hope), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), and Carol Dempsey (Caldwell)
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
As we move into the Visioning Process with the Cohort the team discussed our own desired
outcomes at this point in the process. We want the generational groups to be heard and have a
chance to come together as a subgroup, and the cultural/language groups may want to meet
separately too for a short time, then all share together across groups. We want to continue to
work out of a narrative of abundance; we have enough for the future and those who choose to participate in the futuring process will be sufficient as well.
Working together will promote a felt sense of community and help us to get to know one another better. We are considering an option of generational social time on breakout sessions at the next whole cohort gathering and then have cross-generational breakout social time to create a variety of experiences. Other possibilities include a Ted Dunn talk zoom with breakout sessions, a zoom that is on contemplative dialogue about current realities. The possibilities are many and we want something for everyone: some fun activities and some conversation places- all to help us to co-create a future together.
During the discussion, there was agreement that a major goal would be to move the cohort further along to visioning a desired future together. We anticipate deep sharing and creating together scenarios of future options that express our shared values. We want to respect both the urgency of acting on this work and the time and space needed to be inclusive and contemplatively discerning. We agreed an in-person meeting would be needed with preparatory zoom meetings leading up to it. We are keeping the emotional and financial contexts in mind as we consider alternative locations and dates.
We will invite members from the cohort and beyond to be a part of the in-person meeting and we talked about wanting to let congregations know ahead of time what the plan is for the year. At Cohort Visioning Zoom 1 held on May 15 and 16 we participated in icebreakers and a process to begin to surface ideas about envisioning the future.
Peace,
Sisters Pat Magee (Hope), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), and Carol Dempsey (Caldwell)
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
This month the Futuring Leadership Team is engaged in planning for several events for Cohort Visioning. The first Cohort Visioning Zoom, held May 15 and May 16, focused on Initial Conversations about the Future. The second Cohort Visioning Zoom is scheduled for September 24th and September 29 and will focus on Dominican Relationships for the Future. We will be considering relationships within and beyond our own generation and the implications of age diversity in our views of the future of Dominican Life.
At the Dominican Sisters Conference in Milwaukee October 11-15, 2022, the Futuring Leadership Team will give presentations to the Executive Committee of the Dominican Sisters Conference and the Leadership Teams of Dominican Congregations. The purpose is to share what we have gleaned from online conversations with the Cohort over the past year, the work that has been accomplished so far in building a database, launching affinity groups, and creating a communication plan including regular updates and DomLife articles.
In September and October we will be previewing a prototype of a new online space to show the background of the futuring movement of the Dominican Sisters Conference, outline the Visioning Process with the Cohort as it is unfolding, and share the learnings and reflections from Affinity Groups discussing current topics of interest.
Visioning plans underway include a Cohort Visioning Zoom on November 12, 2022, focused on Dominican Life for the Future. We are pleased to announce that this Zoom will be facilitated by Ann M. Garrido, associate professor of homiletics at Aquinas Institute of Theology. She will engage the Cohort in reflection on Our Dominican DNA: Shared Values Leading Us Into The Future. The quarterly Zoom meetings in 2023 will set things in motion for an in-person gathering facilitated by Sherryl White, CSJ at Ohio Dominican University July 28-29, 2023.
Peace,
Sisters Pat Magee (Hope), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), and Carol Dempsey (Caldwell) -
Dear DSC Cohort Under 70,
At the Dominican Sisters Conference in Milwaukee October 11-15, 2022, the Futuring Leadership Team gave an overview of work accomplished in our first year. This included building a database, launching affinity groups, holding regular quarterly meetings of the cohort, creating a communication plan, and beginning the visioning process. During the meeting, we proposed to the DSC Executive Committee during their meeting, that the visioning process will need a dedicated full-time coordinator to sustain our momentum. The Executive Committee sees this need as well.
Once the search for an Executive Director of the DSC is completed, a Coordinator for the FLT will be sought.
Training sessions for the new google site Dominican Explorations will be October 27 from 12-1:00 and November 1 from 4-5:00 Pacific Time. You may remember that this platform will serve as a creative co-edited online workspace. Members of the cohort can share documents, photos, videos and share links to blogs and other integrated social media.
On November 12, 2022, Ann M. Garrido, associate professor of homiletics at Aquinas Institute of Theology will engage the Cohort in reflection on Our Dominican DNA: Shared Values Leading Us into The Future. Simultaneous interpretation will be available for Spanish-speakers. The meeting will be recorded for viewing later, but please encourage all DSC members under 70 to attend this meeting.
The in-person gathering for the Cohort will take place July 28-29 (travel days July 27 and 30) at Ohio Dominican University. It will be facilitated by Sherryl White, CSJ, a social psychologist who has served internationally as a consultant to apostolic congregations of religious employing a practice of contemplative inquiry to engage complex questions of these changing times. Invitations have been set for Cohort members to volunteer to help with planning, logistics, hospitality, technology, social activities, secretarial etc. Cohort members can still volunteer and receive more information about this meeting in separate emails from Kathleen Tait.
Peace,
Sisters Pat Magee (Hope), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), and Carol Dempsey (Caldwell)
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
On November 12 the DSC Cohort under 70 were invited to an inspirational workshop with Ann Garrido, PhD, associate professor of Homiletics at Aquinas Institute. Approximately 79 attended the event that was simultaneously interpreted in Spanish. Ann presented “word clouds” that depicted the words that most often appear in the mission statements and websites of the 19 congregations that belong to the DSC. In breakout sessions the cohort explored our Dominican DNA and identified shared values that will lead us into the future. The entire presentation was recorded and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syAXaIJPtIo.
Members of the Futuring Leadership Team were invited to give an abbreviated form of the presentation given to DSC leadership at the annual gathering in October to the Dominican Communicators and are available upon request to share the same presentation with member congregations upon request. If you are interested in setting this up for your congregation, please contact mosesdo@msjdominicans.org. The Dominican communicators generously offered their support and services to the team and the cohort and expressed a desire to share the good news of these futuring efforts with the public.
Toward this end the Google Site “Dominican Explorations” is under development with ten cohort members contributing as managing editors. Access will be made public, and the link will be sent out by the Dominican Communicators in mid-December. The site features the latest news about the futuring efforts of the DSC, the unfolding work of the cohort affinity groups as they meet to discuss various current topics of interest, and a timeline of DSC events that are unfolding at an ever-increasing pace. Excitement, enthusiasm, and high hopes abound as we reflect realistically and share ideas and energy for a more just and peaceful world.
A diverse and talented group answered the call to serve on the steering committee for the July 27-30 in person gathering at Ohio Dominican University. Sisters Veronica Esparza Ramirez (MSJ), Mary Vuong (Peace), Christina Atienza (San Rafael, and Christin Tomy (Sinsinawa) will meet with the Futuring Leadership Team and event facilitator Sr. Sherryl White, CSJ on December 8 to begin planning. Preparatory meetings for the cohort will take place on January 24, 2023, and May 24, 2023 (4:30pm Pacific; 6:30 pm Central and 7:30pm Eastern).
Blessed Thanksgiving!
Sisters Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), and Pat Magee (Hope)
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
As promised the Google Site “Dominican Explorations” was made public today and can be accessed by anyone with this link: https://sites.google.com/view/dominicanuniverse/home.
The site is a creative transparent work in progress, group edited by a few brave members of the Cohort using it to share documents, videos, and data about our futuring in a public forum. The site uses free software provided by google and is not hosted or designed by a professional website builder. Please be patient with our progress. We are all on a learning curve with this!
Futuring efforts are taking off all around through the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in hubs and regional gatherings of congregations in North America and through the Conferencia de Dominicas de América Latina y El Caribe (CODALC) and the Asociación de Hermanas Latinas Misioneras en América (AHLMA) in gatherings of Latin American religious missioned in the Americas. We are all in this together with the Dominican Sisters International Confederation representing 145 congregations on six continents, providing moral and organizational support.
Your Futuring Leadership Team is hard at work planning for the January 24 Cohort zoom on January 24. The focus for this meeting will be sharing the current realities of sisters living and ministering in different regions of the United States (East Coast, West Coast, Midwest and South) as well as other countries. Mary Vuong (Peace), Christina Atienza (San Rafael), Christin Tomy (Sinsinawa), and Veronica Esparza Ramirez (MSJ) are helping to plan this event and the July in-person gathering. Simultaneous translation will be offered, and members will identify their preferred language for breakout sessions.
We are dedicated to facilitating the leadership development and coordinated futuring efforts of the sisters under 70 years belonging to the DSC. We currently have 270 active members, 156 living and ministering in the United States and 114 in various parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Every year at the end of December, Cohort members who have reached the age of 70 in the preceding year will be sent a letter acknowledging their milestone and recognizing their new alumnae status.
As we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord in our own communities, we give thanks for, you, our Dominican sisters, friends, and colleagues across the United States and beyond.
A Peaceful and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all,
Sisters Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), and Pat Magee (Hope)
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
Please engage Sisters in the Cohort in conversation about their experience of the larger Dominican family and support them in their efforts to meet with one another to understand the larger picture of the future of religious life in the United States and beyond.
This past month, the Futuring Leadership Team met with volunteers from the Cohort who formed a subcommittee we are calling the Visioning Group to plan the summer in person gathering with our facilitator in the futuring process, Sherryl White, CSJ. This group, made up of Mary Vuong (Peace), Christina Atienza (San Rafael), Christin Tomy (Sinsinawa), and Veronica Esparza Ramirez (MSJ), are the steering committee along with the Futuring Leadership Team (FLT) for the event in July. The flyer and reservation link for the July event will be sent out soon. This month we are in the process of recruiting subcommittee chairs and helpers for hospitality, environment, technology, liturgy, transportation, logistics, etc.
We have funds through foundation grants and LCWR to cover most of the cost of room and board and transportation. We are asking congregations to pay $75 per sister for registration, room, and board for a shared room and $100 for a single room. Yes, it is quite a bargain considering what convention centers would charge! Transportation will be subsidized up to $300 for air travel and up to $100 reimbursed for fuel for those driving. If the cost of air transportation creates a financial hardship for those traveling a long distance, and congregations sending a large number of sisters, we will look at ways to equitably reimburse congregations bearing a larger burden of the expense of attendance.
Finally, thank you for praying for the Cohort’s full participation in the zoom meetings with Sherryl White January and May 24, and for an emerging sense of mutual understanding and collaboration we hope will come out of these meetings. Attached to this message is the Cohorts Beliefs prayer highlighting the values identified in our combined mission statements.
Wishing you hope and peace and so much more,
Sisters Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), and Pat Magee (Hope)
Jenero 24, 2022
Queridas hermanas y asociadas del DSC,
Por favor, involucre a las Hermanas de la Cohorte en una conversación sobre su experiencia con la familia dominicana más grande y apóyelas en sus esfuerzos por reunirse entre sí para comprender el panorama más amplio del futuro de la vida religiosa en los Estados Unidos y más allá.
El mes pasado, el Equipo de Liderazgo Futuring se reunió con voluntarios de la Cohorte que formaron un subcomité que llamamos el Grupo de Visión para planificar la reunión en persona de verano con nuestro facilitador en el proceso de futuro, S herryl White, CSJ. Este grupo, compuesto por Mary Vuong (Paz), Christina Atienza (San Rafael), Christin Tomy (Sinsinawa) y Verónica Esparza Ramírez (MSJ), son el comité directivo junto con el Equipo de Liderazgo Futuring (FLT) para el mes de julio. El folleto y el enlace de reserva para el evento de julio se enviarán pronto. Este mes estamos en el proceso de reclutar presidentes de subcomités y ayudantes para hospitalidad, medio ambiente, tecnología, liturgia, transporte, logística, etc.
Tenemos fondos a través de subvenciones de la fundación y LCWR para cubrir la mayor parte del costo de alojamiento, comida y transporte. Estamos pidiendo a las congregaciones que paguen $75 por hermana por inscripción, alojamiento y comida por una habitación compartida y $100 por una habitación individual. ¡Sí, es una ganga teniendo en cuenta lo que cobrarían los centros de convenciones! El transporte será subsidiado hasta $ 300 para viajes aéreos y hasta $ 100 reembolsados por combustible para quienes conducen. Si el costo del transporte aéreo crea una dificultad financiera para aquellos que viajan una larga distancia, y las congregaciones que envían un gran número de hermanas, buscaremos formas de reembolsar equitativamente a las congregaciones que soportan una mayor carga del gasto de asistencia.
Finalmente, gracias por orar por la plena participación de la Cohorte en las reuniones de zoom con Sherryl White enero y 24 de mayo, y por un sentido emergente de entendimiento mutuo y colaboración que esperamos que salga de estas reuniones. Adjunta a este mensaje está la oración de Creencias de cohortes que destaca los valores identificados en nuestras declaraciones de misión combinadas.
Deseándole esperanza y paz y mucho más,
Hermanas Donna Moses (Misión San José), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Paz) y Pat Magee (Esperanza)
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC
Our January 24th zoom meeting focused on current realities of our members of the Cohort living and working in various parts of the United States, Mexico, the Philippines, and other countries overseas. We are embracing the international breadth of our mission and are committed to bilingual meetings and communications. At the May 24th zoom we will focus on seeking common ground as we explore future possiblities.
Evaluations were positive overall. Some comments included: our future together is going to be with phenomenal women committed to and bonded for the mission and OP life; Dominicans fit in every part of mission; inspired and encouraged to hear about the Sister in formation who is so enthusiastic about Dominican life; looking forward to continuing the conversation in July; glad to see so many cultures represented because that is a more accurate picture of who we are; all expressed in various ways the value of and their commitment to community, we’re all women who are seekers – it doesn’t matter which community or where we live, we love God, love the Dominican charism, and are all just doing our best; it was good to see the commitment of others to stay on a late night zoom (for the East Coast and the Dominican Republic) after a busy day– reflects our desire to connect with one another; grace to continue in these relationships; the meeting was nutrition for my soul of Dominican life; the desire for meaningful community living and ministering with the marginalized is a shared expression in our conversations – that gives me hope; grateful to be part of our work together; gratitude that so many of us are on this journey together; realizing how much I enjoy our times together – AND being with a woman in Initial Formation was wonderful; there are women coming and they are enthusiastic; Sisters are called to shake the world!
Growing edges and cognitive dissonance were evident as well: I felt overwhelmed by the large number of Sisters that I have never met and do not know; we have very different things going on – some of us are content just developing relationships; some of us are content talking about or envisioning a future which will/may happen at some point in time; and some, I believe, are ready to start becoming that future sooner than later.
Feeling Spirit blessed on our Lenten Journey!
Sisters Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), and Pat Magee (Hope)
febrero 17, 2023
Estimadas hermanas y asociadas del DSC
Nuestra reunión de zoom del 24 de enero se centró en las realidades actuales de nuestras miembros del grupo que viven y trabajan en varias partes de los Estados Unidos, México, Las Filipinas y otros países en el extranjero. Estamos abrazando la realidad internacional de nuestra misión y nos comprometimos a continuar tener las reuniones y comunicaciones bilingües (incluyendo traducción simultánea). En el zoom del 24 de mayo nos centraremos en la búsqueda de un interés común mientras exploramos posibilidades futuras.
Por lo general, las evaluaciones fueron positivas. Algunos comentarios incluyeron: nuestro futuro común va a ser con mujeres fenomenales comprometidas y unidas por la misión y la vida dominica; encaja en cada parte de la misión; inspirada y alentada a escuchar sobre las hermanas en formación que está tan entusiasmadas con la vida dominica; esperando continuar la conversación en julio; contenta de ver tantas culturas representadas porque esa es una imagen más precisa de quiénes somos, todas expresamos de varias maneras lo valiosos de estos encuentros y su compromiso con la comunidad; todas somos mujeres en la busqueda; no importa qué comunidad o dónde vivamos, amamos a Dios, amamos el carisma dominico y todas estamos haciendo nuestro mejor esfuerzo; fue bueno ver el compromiso de muchas hermanas que permanecieron en la reunión hasta tarde de la noche (en especial las que estan en la costa este de los EU y la Republica Dominicana) y después de un día ocupado; refleja nuestro deseo de conectarnos unas a otras; la reunión fue nutritiva para mi alma y vida dominica; el deseo de una vida comunitaria con significado y el querer hacer ministerios entre los marginados/as, es una expresión compartida en nuestras conversaciones – me da esperanza; agradecida de ser parte de nuestro esfuerzos conjunto; agradecida de ver a tantas de nosotras caminando juntas; me di cuenta de cuánto disfruto de nuestro tiempo juntas – el estar con una hermana en Formación Inicial fue maravilloso; hay mujeres que estan entrando y están entusiasmadas, ¡las hermanas están llamadas a mover el mundo!
Algunas oportunidades para nuestro aprendizaje y algunas disonancia cognitiva también fueron evidentes: me sentí abrumada por la gran cantidad de hermanas que nunca he conocido; tenemos cosas muy diferentes sucediendo – algunas que nosotras estamos contentas simplemente creando relaciones; algunas de nosotras estamos contentas hablando o imaginando un futuro que sucederá / y que puede suceder en algún momento; y algunas, creo que están listas para comenzar a convertirse en ese futuro más temprano que tarde.
¡Sentimos las bendiciones en nuestro caminar cuaresmal!
Hermanas Donna Moses (Misión San José), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Paz) y Pat Magee (Esperanza)
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Dear Sisters and Associates of the DSC,
The Futuring Leadership Team met with the Visioning Group, which include the following members: Christina Atienza, Christin Tomy, Mary Vuong, Veronica Esparza Ramirez, who are assisting us with planning for our summer gathering. We discussed desired outcomes for the “Creating Our Future” Gathering in Columbus, OH. We hope to clarify a path forward for Dominican Congregations in the United States honoring our past and full of promise for our present and future.
In the coming months, as a cohort, to we will continue to discern our deepest desires for our shared Religious Life. The time is now for us to allow Spirit Sophia to lead us to take intentional steps towards the future of Dominican Life and Mission.
As we shared our desired outcomes for the July 27-30 gathering, something shifted, and the Spirit-energy was palpable. A plan emerged for using story-telling to identify preferred options for our collective future. Our hope is that the gathering will set us clearly on a path of Dominican Sisters creating a common future.
We desire to be intentionally inclusive of all the Cohort members of our DSC Congregations embracing the gifts and challenges of our diversity. We trust in the Spirit to inspire and guide us to a future that is bright and beautiful, knowing that it will evolve as consecrated life transforms within, among and around us. We believe Sophia is sustaining the energy that is impelling us forward to conceive of new life for the sake of our shared Mission.
May Sophia also sustain the enthusiasm for the future of Dominican Life and Mission in congregations whose membership is comprised of few under 70 cohort members. As Dominican Women in Mission, we can do so much more together than we can alone. Please keep us in your prayers as we imagine options for the continuation of vowed Dominican life in the coming decades.
With joyful hope,
Sisters Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), and Pat Magee (Hope)
Queridas Hermanas y Asociadas/os de la DSC,
El Equipo de Liderazgo para Futuro se reunió con el Grupo de Visioneras, que incluye a las hermanas: Christina Atienza, Christin Tomy, Mary Vuong, Veronica Esparza Ramírez, quienes nos ayudan a planificar nuestro encuntro este verano. Juntas discutimos los resultados que esperamos en el encuntro el cual se llamara: “Creando nuestro futuro” en Columbus, OH. Esperamos despejar el camino a seguir para las Congregaciones Dominicanas en los Estados Unidos honrando nuestro pasado y llenarnos de promesas para nuestro presente y futuro.
En los próximos meses, como con las miembros del grupo, continuaremos discerniendo nuestros deseos más profundos para nuestra Vida Religiosa en comun. Ha llegado el momento de permitir que el Espíritu Sofía nos guíe a dar pasos intencionales hacia el futuro de la Vida y Misión Dominica.
Mientras compartíamos los resultados que deseados para la reunión del 27 al 30 de julio, algo cambió y la energía del Espíritu era palpable. Surgió un plan para usar historias que nos ilustren y asi identificar las opciones que preferimos para nuestro futuro colectivo. Nuestra esperanza es que la reunión nos coloque claramente como Hermanas Dominicas caminando juntas para crear un futuro común.
Deseamos ser intencionalmente inclusivas con todas las hermanas de nuestro grupo abrazando los dones y desafíos de nuestra diversidad. Confiamos en el Espíritu para inspirarnos y guiarnos hacia un futuro brillante y hermoso, sabiendo que evolucionará a medida que la Vida Consagrada se transforme dentro, entre y alrededor de nosotras. Creemos que Sophia está sosteniendo la energía que nos impulsa a concebir una nueva vida por el bien de nuestra Misión compartida.
Que Sophia también mantenga el entusiasmo por el futuro de la Vida y Misión Dominica en las Congregaciones cuya membresía está compuesta de un pequeño grupo de hermanas jovenes. Como Mujeres Dominicas en Misión, podemos hacer mucho más juntas que solas. Por favor manténganos en sus oraciones mientras imaginamos y visualizamos opciones para la continuación de la Vida Consagrada Dominica en las próximas décadas.
Con gozosa esperanza,
Hermanas Donna Moses (Misión San José), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Paz) y Pat Magee (Esperanza)
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Dear Sisters, Associates, and Friends of the DSC,
As March turned to April with wild winds and tornadoes tearing across the US, the Futuring Leadership Team met at the Motherhouse of the Dominicans Sisters of Peace in Columbus, OH for team building and planning. Our days took an unexpected turn when we learned of the sudden death of Sister Ruth Hamel, OP, a Dominican Sister of Peace and member of our Cohort.
On the morning of Sister Ruth’s wake the team toured Ohio Dominican University to consider options available for boarding, dining, and meeting for futuring and prayer. The college has two dorms and meeting spaces with ample capacity for the number of
participants expected to attend in person, as well as all the technology equipment requested for projecting, videotaping, and live streaming for virtual participation.
We joined with the Peace community for the wake and funeral of Sister Ruth and mourned the death of one so young and so clearly dedicated to the mission of spreading the Gospel of Peace. Remembrances spoken by those who lived and worked with her in the parish and school were a moving tribute and poignant reminder that each of us is precious in the heart of God who alone calls us to completion when our life is done.
We met by Zoom with new DSC Executive Director Xiomara Méndez Hernández, OP, to discuss ideas for improving both the process and content of our communications in a way that better honors the diversity of our membership. We were informed that interviews to fill the position of Associate Director have concluded. The discernment process and steps for hiring continue and an announcement is anticipated in the near future. The team made plans to welcome and support the transition when the new person comes on board.
In welcoming a new DSC Executive Director, in planning for transitioning with a new Associate Director, and in diversifying our team membership, we see the buds that hold promise for our Futuring movement. Amid the last blasts of winter, the signs of the Resurrection are all around us. For all this we give thanks and praise!
With Easter blessings,
Sisters Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), and Pat Magee (Hope)
_______________________________________
Abril 2023
Queridas hermanas, asociadas y amigas de la DSC,
Cuando Marzo le dio paso a Abril con vientos turbulentos y tornados que azotaban Los Estados Unidos, el Equipo de Liderazgo para el Futuro se reunió en la Casa Madre de las Hermanas Dominicas de la Paz en Columbus, OH, para estrechar nuestras relaciones y planificar en equipo. Nuestros días dieron un giro inesperado cuando nos enteramos de la repentina muerte de la Hermana Ruth Hamel, OP, una Hermana Dominica de la Paz y miembro de nuestra grupo.
En la mañana el equipo recorrió la Universidad Dominica de Ohio para considerar las opciones disponibles para hospedaje, comidas y reuniones para el futuro y la oración. La Universidad cuenta con dos areas de dormitorio y espacios de reunión con amplia capacidad para la cantidad de participantes que se espera que asistan de manera presencial, así como todo el equipo tecnológico solicitado para proyección, videograbación y transmisión en vivo para la participación virtual.
Nos unimos a la comunidad de las hermanas para el velatorio y el funeral de Ruth y lamentamos la muerte de alguien tan joven y tan claramente dedicado a la misión de difundir el Evangelio de la Paz. Los recuerdos compartidos por quienes vivieron y trabajaron con ella en la parroquia y la escuela fueron un tributo y un recordatorio conmovedor de que cada persona es preciosa en el
corazón de Dios, quien nos llama a la plenitud cuando nuestra vida ha concluido.
Nos reunimos por Zoom con la nueva Directora Ejecutiva de la DSC, Xiomara Méndez Hernández, OP, para discutir ideas para mejorar tanto el proceso como el contenido de nuestras comunicaciones de una manera que honre mejor la diversidad de nuestra membresía. Se nos informó que han concluido las entrevistas para ocupar el puesto de Director Asociado. El proceso de discernimiento y los pasos para la contratación continúan y se anticipa un anuncio en un futuro próximo. El equipo hizo planes para dar la bienvenida y apoyar la transición cuando la nueva persona se incorpore.
Al dar la bienvenida a la nuevo Directora Ejecutivoa de la DSC, al planificar la transición con una nueva Directora Asociada y al diversificar la membresía de nuestro equipo, vemos los brotes que son prometedores para nuestro movimiento hacia el Futuro. En medio de los últimos vientos del invierno, los signos de la Resurrección nos rodean. Por todo esto damos gracias y alabanza!
Con las bendiciones de Pascua,
Sisters Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), and Pat Magee (Hope)
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Dear Sisters, Associates, and Friends of the DSC,
As of this writing 132 Dominican Sisters from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, the Philippines, and across the United States have registered to take part in our summer gathering “Creating Our Future Today!” at Ohio Dominican University July 28-30.
Transformation is well underway within, around and among us. We are expanding our Futuring Leadership team to include new members and attending to cultural and generational diversity. We are building upon the leadership skills already present in our younger members to conceive and work together to bring about a sustainable way of living the Dominican life we all treasure.
At the next Zoom on the evening of MAY 24, we will continue the contemplative inquiry process with group facilitator Sherryl White, CSJ. In the first breakout session participants will share what they think will happen in the next ten years if their congregation and the DSC make no changes at all, and in the second they will share what they hope will happen if a radical shift occurs within their congregation and within the DSC.
They have already received the reflection questions for the May meeting asking them to think big, with nothing off limits, no constraints, with boundless resources, imagining life in abundance. The object of the contemplative inquiry is not to name what we intend to make happen, but to begin to recognize and understand the feelings different scenarios for the future evoke in us.
We ask you to hold the younger members in special prayer as we engage in collectively imagining of alternative futures. You might want to engage in this reflection yourselves. Notice the feelings your own thoughts about alternate futures evoke and talk with one another. We are all in this together…
And all things are possible with God!
Sisters Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), and Pat Magee (Hope) -
Dear Sisters, Associates, and Friends of the DSC,
On May 24th 89 members of the Cohort gathered with facilitator Sherryl White, CSJ, for a session of naming and discovering probable and creative potential futures for Dominican life as envisioned by the Cohort. DSC Executive Director Sister Xiomara Méndez–Hernández introduced the theme song for the July gathering, “Creating Our Future Today,” and led us in a multilingual opening prayer.
Sister Sherryl guided the process that included conversations in small breakout groups organized by generational decades (20’s-30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s) with six to eight sisters in each group. After the breakout session, four members from each decade were invited to engage each other in a conversation about their own thoughts while the rest of the Cohort listened to get a better understanding of the perspectives of each decade.
The sharing was rich and varied. Differences as well as similarities across generations were apparent. While other factors also influence our perspective and way of thinking about the future, we could observe that generation clearly does play a role and our Cohort spans at least four generations. Members were reminded to listen with the heart and advised not to share with a view of convincing others, but to be respectful of all.
After each session, the members were mindful of feelings that emerged as we listened to various views of futures that are probable if we do nothing and what might be possible if we are willing to lean into change. The FLT sent a recording of the meeting to all members of the Cohort but will not share it beyond the Cohort out of sensitivity and profound respect for the safe space.
Thoughts, feelings, ideas and dreams came from across a wide spectrum of the Cohort. As Sister Sherryl said in her opening remarks, “In the midst of the diversity, somehow there is the possibility for a woven thick tapestry to come forward that holds every dream as something that can inform what will be possible for your future. That is the work of the summer.” The Futuring Leadership Team are actively recruiting new members from younger segments of the Cohort to lead this movement forward.
Trusting in the Love of God,
Sisters Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), and Pat Magee (Hope)
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Dear Sisters, Associates, and Friends of the DSC,
The Futuring Leadership team met with DSC Executive Director Sister Xiomara Méndez Hernández, OP, and the new DSC Associate Director for Futuring Sister Lisa Kane, OP, to share perspectives and collaborate on preparations for the summer cohort gathering: “Creating Our Future Today,” which will take place on July 27-30, in Columbus, OH, We discussed special responsibilities associated with the role of the Associate Director for Futuring and Sister Lisa will be fully oriented by the end of this July.
The gathering this month includes an opening ritual, ample time to enjoy being together, liturgical prayer, a hard look at the data provided by congregational leadership teams, and an opening discernment session to engage the questions that arise as we share our best hopes for what the future may hold for the Dominican Order in the United States and beyond. On Saturday evening Sister Pat Siemen, OP, the DSIC Coordinator for North America, will present the International Perspective. On Sunday, we will engage in two contemplative inquiry sessions to continue our discernment and see if any common themes or “ideas with legs” are emerging. In the evening we will gather in the Motherhouse Chapel of the Dominican Sisters of Peace for Eucharist followed by a closing ritual and celebratory meal.
This gathering has all the earmarks of a momentous occasion. The registration numbers have exceeded our expectations! We have nearly 130 Sisters registered for the gathering (18 Adrian, 9 Amityville, 4 Blauvelt, 4 Caldwell, 4 Grand Rapids, 3 Hope, 4 Houston, 4 Maryknoll, 13 Mission San Jose, 1 Oakford, 23 Peace, 3 Racine, 6 San Rafael, 15 Sinsinawa, 2 Sparkill, 14 Springfield, and 1 Tacoma). Most will attend in person but zoom attendance with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish and English is available to those who need it.
We entrust the future to the Spirit as we place our gifts and talents at the service of the Dominican Order dedicated to preaching the Word of Life in every age and every place.
Trusting in the Love of God,
Sisters Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), and Pat Magee (Hope)
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The Futuring Leadership Team and the Associate Director for Futuring have been actively working on expanding and diversifying the composition of the team through a recruiting process of invitations since last spring. The field of candidates has evolved with five candidates, who have all been vetted and recommended by their Prioresses. On September 15 we will engage those candidates in a facilitated discernment process for new team members who will join the existing team for an orientation/team building session at the DSC Leadership meeting in Columbus, Ohio, October 9-13.
We are following up on recommendations and steps that came out of breakout sessions at the summer gathering. Those recommendation have been shared with the Cohort and the whole DSC and can be found in the August update available on DomLife. This month invitations were emailed to participants who reported on or led the discussion groups at the gathering asking them to initiate further conversations about the recommendations with those members of the cohort who expressed interest.
Well over half the participants were involved in the breakout session on the topic of Organizational Models for a Sustainable Future. We understand this to be the main work in which the Futuring Leadership Team and the Associate Director for Futuring are leading the Cohort. The team will be engaging the work group, following up on proposing a timeline, seeking expert advice, engaging interested members of the cohort in research and development, and involving other members of the DSC in the conversation as appropriate.
At the same time the cohort will be invited to further explore recommendations to Update Dominican Spirituality and Theological Formation for the 21st Century; See Creation and Climate Change with the Eyes of Earth; Develop Cross-Cultural Competency and Bridge Polarities through Restorative Practices; and Collaborate on Vocations and Outreach to Youth. Talking points about the gathering, postings from the affinity groups and the latest updates from the team can all be found on the Dominican Explorations google site. The fall cohort zoom meeting will take place at the end of October. Sunday October 29 (1-2:30 PT, 3-4:30 CT, 4-5:30 ET) or Monday October 30 (4:30-6:00 PT, 6:30-8:00 CT, 7:30-9:00 ET).
Peace and blessings for a future filled with hope,
Sisters Lisa Kane (Associate Director for Futuring) Pat Magee, Donna Maria Moses, Maidung Nguyen, Lorraine Reaume, and Kathleen Tait (Futuring Leadership Team)
13 de septiembre de 2023
El Equipo de Liderazgo para el Futuro y la Directora Asociada para el Futuro han estado trabajando activamente para extender y diversificar la composición del equipo, por medio de un proceso de reclutamiento de invitaciones desde la primavera pasada. El abanico de candidatas ha evolucionado con cinco candidatas actualmente, que han sido examinadas y recomendadas por su priora. El 15 de septiembre, estas candidatas participarán en un proceso de discernimiento facilitado para las nuevas integrantes del equipo, que se incorporarán al ya existente para una sesión de orientación/formación del equipo en la reunión de líderes del DSC en Columbus, Ohio, del 9 al 13 de octubre.
Estamos dando seguimiento a las recomendaciones y pasos que surgieron de las sesiones de trabajo de la reunión de verano. Estas recomendaciones han sido compartidas con el grupo y con toda la DSC y pueden encontrarse en la actualización de agosto disponible en DomLife. Este mes se enviaron invitaciones por correo electrónico a las participantes que informaron o dirigieron los grupos de debate en la reunión, pidiéndoles que iniciaran nuevas conversaciones sobre las recomendaciones con las integrantes del grupo que expresaron su interés.
Más de la mitad de las participantes intervinieron en la sesión sobre modelos organizacionales para un futuro sostenible. Entendemos que este es el trabajo principal en el que el Equipo de Liderazgo para el Futuro y la Director Asociada para el Futuro están dirigiendo el grupo. El equipo implicará al grupo de trabajo, hará un seguimiento para proponer un calendario, buscará el asesoramiento de expertas, implicará a las integrantes interesadas del grupo en la investigación y el desarrollo, e involucrará a otras integrantes de la DSC en la conversación según proceda.
Al mismo tiempo, se invitará al grupo a explorar más a fondo las recomendaciones para Actualizar la Espiritualidad Dominica y la Formación Teológica para el Siglo XXI; Ver la Creación y el Cambio Climático con los Ojos de la Tierra; Desarrollar la Competencia Intercultural y Superar las Polaridades a través de Prácticas Restaurativas; y Colaborar en las Vocaciones y el Alcance a la Juventud. Los puntos de discusión sobre el encuentro, las publicaciones de los grupos de afinidad y las últimas actualizaciones del equipo pueden encontrarse en el sitio google de Dominican Explorations. La reunion por zoom del grupo para el otoño tendrá lugar a finales de octubre. El domingo 29 de octubre (1-2:30 PT, 3-4:30 CT, 4-5:30 ET) o el lunes 30 de octubre (4:30-6:00 PT, 6:30-8:00 CT, 7:30-9:00 ET).
Paz y bendiciones para un futuro lleno de esperanza,
Hermanas Lisa Kane (Directora Asociada para el Futuro) Pat Magee, Donna Maria Moses, Maidung Nguyen, Lorraine Reaume, y Kathleen Tait (Equipo de Liderazgo para el Futuro)
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The Futuring Leadership Team is happy to have three new members. After several discernment meetings and conversations, the following Sisters have discerned with us to join the team: Cathy Buchanan (Peace), Annie Killian (Peace), and Lystra Long (Sinsinawa). We are delighted to add sisters with great insight and passion for the effort! They also add youth and diversity to our team!
We had the opportunity to meet and have a team building session in Columbus on October 9, with all three new team members present, one by Zoom. On June 30, 2024, Kathleen Tait and Donna Moses will finish their terms. That will leave us with a solid team of six to partner with Lisa Kane who is our full-time Associate Director for Futuring.
On Oct 10-13th, we presented to the DSC Executive Committee and the whole DSC leadership at the DSC meetings, sharing the background of what the team and the cohort have done so far, including information on the working groups that were formed at our July gathering, Creating Our Future Today. The DSC members were impressed by the energy, participation, and fruits of this gathering. Actually, a good portion of the leaders were participants at the summer gathering and are in the cohort. The DSC wholeheartedly supports these futuring efforts. We all recognize that there will be on-going conversations among of us since our initiatives and discernment for future efforts impact all members.Working group leaders have been preparing materials, and we will have the opportunity to move forward with the working groups at our upcoming cohort zoom meetings October 29 and 30th.
We look forward to igniting our future now!
Annie, Cathy, Donna, Kathleen, Lisa, Lorraine, Lystra, Mai-dung, and Pat
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November invites us to remember with deep gratitude all those on whose shoulders we stand. It is a gift to recall the communion of saints who inform and strengthen our commitments.
We ended October with two consecutive cohort gatherings. After sharing the support of our DSC leaders and Executive Committee, we launched the initiatives that were affirmed by those present at our July Gathering, “Creating our Future Today” by seeking conveners that will gather those with energy around the various initiatives to form work groups to move the initiatives forward. Futuring Leadership team members serve as liaisons to each initiative to promote integration and transparent communication within and beyond the cohort.
Energy for creating a container or structure for our future vowed life is evident in the clarity of purpose and early steps already taken to organize our largest work group, “Organizational Models”. Who we become as we move intentionally into the future will be informed by the work of the Interculturality and Cultural Competency, Listening to Earth, and the Spirituality and Theology Work Groups. Each of these provide a lens for addressing the qualities we aspire to embody as Dominican women in mission. The Vocations work group will likely extend invitations to those who serve in this role in our congregations to enhance the collaboration and deepen the invitation to those who will discern their call. The Bridging Polarities Group plans to offer the cohort an opportunity to participate in the process of Restorative Circles to acquire skills that will promote living in right relationship within the diverse world in which we live and minister. Although the Preferential Option for Youth did not form a separate work group, and sisters who wanted to work with this will become part of the Vocations group, we also anticipate that as we consider future ministerial commitments, attending to the many needs of Youth will surely be an integral consideration.
Each of the work groups are asked to have at least one Meeting by early December, so that we will maintain the momentum that the urgency of our shared work presents.
In our sharing at the DSC Meeting, we acknowledged that our “Under 70 Cohort” begs for a new name. We took another step towards this at our October meetings by responding to a poll considering the names that were posted at the July gathering. We will be continuing this process with an opportunity for input from the entire cohort.
The Futuring Leadership Team learned that we have received a grant again this year from the LCWR. We are truly blessed with the support of our larger sisterhood as religious life embraces a vision of global sisterhood and commitment to the future of vowed religious life. We are especially grateful to Lisa Kane, OP, Associate Director for Futuring and Anne Lythgoe, OP, President of the DSC Executive Committee for their work on the grant application.
May we pray for one another as we celebrate and harvest the many gifts we enjoy with family and beloved communities this Thanksgiving!
_____________________________________________
Noviembre, 2023
Noviembre nos invita a recordar con profunda gratitud a todas aquellas en cuyos hombros nos
apoyamos. Es un don recordar la comunión de los santos y santas que informan y fortalecen
nuestros compromisos.
Terminamos octubre con dos reuniones consecutivas de los grupos. Después de compartir el
apoyo de nuestras líderes del DSC y del Comité Ejecutivo, lanzamos las iniciativas que fueron
confirmadas por las presentes en nuestra Reunión de julio, “Creandos Nuestro Futuro Hoy”
buscando convocantes que reunirán a aquellas hermanas con energía en torno a las diversas
iniciativas para formar grupos de trabajo que hagan avanzar las iniciativas. Las integrantes del
equipo de Liderazgo para el Futuro sirven de enlace con cada iniciativa para promover la
integración y la comunicación transparente dentro y fuera del grupo.
La energía para crear una vasija o estructura para nuestra futura vida consagrada es evidente
en la claridad de propósito y en los primeros pasos ya dados para organizar nuestro mayor
grupo de trabajo, “Modelos Organizativos”. El trabajo de los Grupos de Trabajo de
Interculturalidad y Competencia Cultural, de Escucha de la Tierra y de Espiritualidad y Teología
nos ayudará a definir en qué nos convertiremos a medida que avancemos hacia el futuro. Cada
uno de ellos proporciona un lente para abordar las cualidades que aspiramos a encarnar como
mujeres dominicas en misión. Es probable que el grupo de trabajo sobre vocaciones extienda
invitaciones a quienes desempeñan esta función en nuestras congregaciones para mejorar la
colaboración y profundizar la invitación a quienes discernirán su llamado. El Grupo “Superar las
Polaridades”; planea ofrecer al grupo la oportunidad de participar en el proceso de los Círculos
Restaurativos para adquirir habilidades que promuevan vivir en relaciones correctas dentro del
mundo diverso en el que vivimos y ejercemos nuestro ministerio. Aunque la Opción
Preferencial por los Jóvenes no formó un grupo de trabajo separado, y las hermanas que
querían trabajar con esto formarán parte del grupo de Vocaciones, también anticipamos que al
considerar futuros compromisos ministeriales, atender las muchas necesidades de los Jóvenes
será seguramente una consideración integral.
Se pide a cada uno de los grupos de trabajo que celebren al menos una reunión a principios de
diciembre, de modo que mantengamos el impulso que presenta la urgencia de nuestro trabajo
común.
En nuestro intercambio en la Reunión del DSC, reconocimos que nuestro “Grupo de hermanas
menores de 70 años” pide a gritos un nuevo nombre. En nuestras reuniones de octubre dimos
un paso más en este sentido, respondiendo a una encuesta en la que se tenían en cuenta los
nombres que se publicaron en la reunión de julio. Continuaremos este proceso con la
oportunidad de recibir aportaciones de todo el grupo.
El Equipo de Liderazgo para el Futuro se enteró de que hemos recibido un donativo de nuevo
este año de parte de la LCWR. Nos sentimos realmente bendecidas con el apoyo de nuestra
gran hermandad, ya que la vida religiosa adopta una visión de hermandad global y de
compromiso con el futuro de la vida religiosa consagrada. Estamos especialmente agradecidas
con Lisa Kane, OP, Directora Asociada para el Futuro, y con Anne Lythgoe, OP, Presidenta del
Comité Ejecutivo del DSC, por su trabajo en la solicitud de fondos.
Que oremos unas por otras mientras celebramos y cosechamos los muchos dones que
disfrutamos con la familia y las comunidades queridas en este Día de Acción de Gracias. -
Advent and Christmas Blessings!
Christ is among us each moment of every day and we celebrate that incarnation. May this Advent time be one of steeping ourselves in the presence of Divine Mystery!
The energy from our “Creating our Future, Today” gathering last July has continued with the working groups that have evolved. First meetings have been held and organizers chosen for each group. The working groups are as follows:
- Futuring Pathways: Jenn Schaaf: jennoushka@hotmail.com
Liaisons: Annie Killian & Lorraine Reaume - Interculturality and Cultural Competency:
Mila Solano Diaz & Ellen Coates: ellen.coates@oppeace.org
Liaisons: Lystra Long & Kathleen Tait - Listening to Earth: Corinne Sanders: csanders@adriandominicans.org & Didi Madden
Liaisons: Lisa Kane, Donna Moses - Restorative Circles: Helena Im: msjhelena@gmail.com
Liason: Donna Maria Moses - Dominican Spirituality & Theology: Christina Atienza &
Kathleen McManus: kmcmanusop@gmail.com
Liaison: Pat Magee - Vocation Collaboration: Denise Glazik & June Fitzgerald: june.fitzgerald@oppeace.org
Liaisons: Mai Dung Nguyen & Cathy Buchanan
If you have not received information about a group of your interest, please contact the organizer/liaison whose email is listed so you can be added to the group.
There was some interest in renaming our cohort; however, since there was not a clear preference for a new name, we would like to simply use “Futuring Cohort” until a definite direction or organization emerges to bring us forward.
Our next general Futuring Cohort Zoom will be held Feb 4th (4:00 – 5:30 pm Eastern Time) and Feb 6th (7:00 – 8:30 pm Eastern Time). Please hold one of the dates. It will be an opportunity to come together again, receive updates, and give input. More information will follow!
May your Advent & Christmas season be filled with Christ’s joy and peace! Annie, Cathy, Donna, Kathleen, Lisa, Lorraine, Lystra, Mai-dung, and Pat
- Futuring Pathways: Jenn Schaaf: jennoushka@hotmail.com
-
Happy New Year!
As we leap out of 2023 into the leap year 2024, what one word comes to your mind as you
think of the year just begun? Do you share our resonance with Trust? With Movement? With
Hope? Or do different words come to you as you think of the future now unfolding?The Futuring Leadership Team met on January 9 to review the progress of the Futuring
Cohort and the working groups that formed out of our conversations last summer, to plan our
meeting with DSC Executive Committee on January 20 and the Winter Futuring Cohort zoom
gatherings on February 4 (4:00 – 5:30 pm Eastern Time) and February 6 (7:00 – 8:30 pm
Eastern Time).We reflected on the words in the poem “The Work of Christmas” by Howard Thurman. “When
the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes
are home, and the shepherds are back with their flock — the work of Christmas begins.” That
is just how it seems for us — when the song of gathering is stilled, when the clarity of purpose
is gone, when the facilitators and speakers are home, when the conveners are back with their
flock –the work of the futuring begins.The Futuring Leadership Team is working on several administrative points to support the working groups including prioritizing funding for projects that emerge in the groups, keeping the
membership informed of the goings on without overwhelming people with emails and surveys,
arranging for translation of all documents and communications and simultaneous interpretation
for groups that need it, coordinating the work of the Futuring Cohort with the futuring of the DSC
congregations and other visioning groups, and keeping the members up to date on justice work
and emerging leadership training opportunities.All six working groups have met at least once and are energetically pursuing ideas and plans to
explore futuring pathways, engage in deep listening to live into interculturality, listen to Earth,
learn restorative practices, renew Dominican spirituality and theology, and collaborate on
vocations. In February we look forward to seeing how the working groups are contributing to
forming us for the mission of all Christians, “to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release
the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among others, and to make music in the
heart,” as we take time for prayerful reflection on our call as contemplative vowed Dominican
women.
With exuberant joy,Cathy, Lisa, Annie, Lystra, Pat, Donna, Mai-dung, Lorraine, and Kathleen -
The Futuring Leadership Team enjoyed the generous hospitality of the Racine Dominicans as they gathered for a weekend of planning and team building on February 23-25, 2024. Facilitated by Racine Dominican Associate Doug Gundlach, the team took a long loving look at the work of the FLT, its changing dynamics with the increased participation of the cohort in working groups, and the ongoing urgency experienced in individual congregations as they address future needs.
Informed by prayer centered around the readings of the Second Sunday of Lent, the group considered their roles as liaisons to the working groups and identified priorities for future funding of initiatives arising from the groups. Much hope is found in considering the working groups for Interculturality, Dominican Spirituality and Theology, Listening to the Voice of Earth, Bridging Polarities and Vocation and Youth Collaboration that are dedicated to identifying and informing the ways we desire to be in mission together, and the Future Pathways Group that is researching structural implications and considering viable options for future pathways.
We look forward to collaborating with the working groups to find the best ways for each to share their insights and assist the cohort in stepping into the realities that come from the work they are addressing.
We considered how the Futuring Leadership Team might best serve the spectrum of our relationships: among the cohort members, within each congregation, with the DSC Executive Committee and DSC Leadership Teams, as we all aspire to be faithful Dominican women attentive to the urgings of the Holy Spirit within and among us. In addition, we engaged in anticipatory planning for the changes in our team composition as three members complete their three-year term this summer. Kathleen Ann Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace) and Donna Maria Moses (Mission San Jose) will complete their terms at the end of June. Lorraine Reaume (Adrian) and Pat Magee (Hope) will continue to serve along with the new members who joined the team this year: Cathy Buchanan (Peace), Annie Killian (Peace), and Lystra Long (Sinsinawa). Doug engaged us in a Praise Buffet, a ritual of naming our gratitude for the gifts of one another, that enabled us to specifically verbalize our deep thanks to Kathleen, Donna and Mai-dung for all of their contributions to this leadership team and to the cohort, for the congregations that form us, and the collaboration of the Dominican Sisters Conference. Together we all negotiate the liminal space that is our reality in and through the Mystery of the God who calls us and inspires our faithful responses.
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The FLT met on June 12 and reviewed the many areas in motion among us.
We look forward to the next Cohort Zoom which will be led by the Working Group on Journeying Toward Interculturality, inviting us to explore our heritage stories and ways to use the lens of interculturality in our working groups, recognizing that honest sharing and deep appreciation for the differences among us are our strength!
The Future Pathways Working Group is reviewing the feedback from the surveys. Over the summer the group will send out a summary of the initial results to Futuring Cohort Sisters and Leadership, with some reflection questions to help explore what the feedback says about our underlying values and desires. Late summer there will be follow-up session to process together what has been shared and to discern what the cohort wishes to convey to the DSC leaders in October 2024.
The other four working Groups have been actively engaging in zoom conversations as was shared in the video update last month. https://youtu.be/q7_YXLjl6vI
At our FLT meeting, we also spoke of needs identified among the cohort that the FLT may be able to respond to, such as learning to live in liminal space, processing loss and grief, and seeing signs of hope.
This was a poignant meeting, since it was the last meeting for the three members who have completed three years of service and are transitioning off the Team: Donna Moses, Mai-Dung Nguyen, and Kathleen Anne Tait. As an expression of gratitude for their dedicated and generous service, we mailed gifts to them ahead and had a surprise Zoom visit from the DSC Executive Committee and DSC Prioresses. We close this message with the final blessings we offered Donna, Kathleen, and Mai-Dung – and to each of us as well:
Loving God,
Today, we gather with hearts full of profound gratitude for the talents and abilities You have bestowed upon our Sisters, Donna, Mia-Dung, and Kathleen. We are genuinely thankful for the support they have given to our Futuring Leadership Team and how they have played an integral role in helping us reach this momentous time in our Dominican history.
Bless all of our Dominican Sisters and communities at this moment of profound reflection on the countless blessings we have received, and may it inspire us to pay forward our blessings to our communities and the world. Amen.
