Preaching with a New Fire - Dominican Sisters of Peace

Preaching with a New Fire

Preaching with a New Fire
is a periodic publication produced
for donors, benefactors, friends,
and family of the Dominican Sisters
of Peace. We have made every
attempt to be accurate and complete;
if you notice an error or
omission, please accept our apologies
and alert us to the mistake
(614.416.1900).
We gratefully acknowledge all
those who contributed to this
issue.
Editor:
Karen L. Clay
Contributors:
Maria Beesing, OP
Alice Black, OPA
Mary Delaney
Conni Dubick, OPA
Jennifer Heiser, OPA
Tracey Leo
Teresita Lipar, OP
Donna Medley, OPA
Sarah Miller
Jeanne Moore, OP
Judy Morris, OP
Margaret Ormond, OP
Elaine Osborne, OP
Sharon Pertuit
Joan Scanlon, OP
© 2011 All rights reserved.
Dominican Sisters of Peace
2320 Airport Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43219
614.416.1900
www.oppeace.org
On the Cover
Sr. Dorothy Ann Blasko and other
parishioners at St. Agatha, Gagetown,
Michigan, created more than
100 dresses for needy children in
Nigeria, where Sr. Rita Schwarzenberger
serves. Full story on page 6.
Photos by Sarah Moore Kuschell
Courtesy of FAITH Saginaw (Saginaw, Michigan)
My dear Friends,
In this new issue of “Preaching with a New Fire,” I would
like to introduce you to some of the ways our Sisters and
Associates are honoring a promise we made at our inaugural
General Chapter to promote justice. On that historic occasion in 2009, we
challenged ourselves to be faithful to a set of commitments, one of which
we expressed in these words:
Radically open to ongoing conversion into the peace of Christ, we commit
ourselves to be women of peace who promote justice through solidarity with
those who are marginalized, especially women and children, and work with
others to identify and transform oppressive systems.
With this commitment, we have articulated our own congregational fidelity
to the biblical mandate, our Dominican charism, and the exhortations of
recent popes.
On the entrance to our congregational offices, you will find carved in stone
the words of the Prophet Micah: “Act justly, love tenderly, walk humbly
with your God” (Micah 6:8). As a young student at the University of Palencia,
Dominic de Guzman responded whole-heartedly to this mandate when
he was so moved by compassion for the poor in his midst that he sold his
precious books in order to feed them. In the thirteenth century, these would
have been almost irreplaceable, hand-written, and extremely costly. Centuries
later, both St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) and St. Rose of Lima
(1586-1617) were outspoken in their challenge to the injustices of their
contemporaries. And in our own day, missionaries to the impoverished people
of Latin America, Africa, and Asia remind us all that in faces of the poor
we encounter the face of Christ.
In his address for the World Day of Peace in 1972, Pope Paul VI expressed
the challenge this way: “If you want peace, work for justice.” And 34 years
later, our present Pope Benedict XVI used his address for World Day of
Peace to remind us of our call as Church. He writes: “Effective means to redress
the marginalization of the world’s poor through globalization will only
be found if people everywhere feel personally outraged by the injustices in
the world and by the concomitant violations of human rights.”
As Dominican Sisters of Peace, we invite you to join us in these efforts. Let
them transform us more and more into the Peace of Christ!
Inside This Issue
Sr. Margaret Ormond, OP
Prioress
Putting the Walk to the Talk 3, 10-11
Standing in Solidarity with those who are Marginalized 4-5
Addressing the Needs of Women and Children 6-7
Identifying and Transforming Oppressive Systems 8-9
News Briefs 11
2 Dominican Sisters of Peace

Putting the Walk to the Talk
women of peace who promote justice...
Radically open to ongoing conversion into the
peace of Christ, we commit ourselves to be women
of peace who promote justice through solidarity
with those who are marginalized, especially
women and children, and work with others to
identify and transform oppressive systems.
Putting flesh to these ambitious words has been a
major focus of the Dominican Sisters of Peace since
they were first articulated at the General Chapter of
the congregation in the spring of 2009. At last year’s
first assembly of the congregation, committees were
formed to direct the study, prayer, and action surrounding
four social justice issues: eco-justice,
human trafficking, immigration, and peace and
non-violence. In addition, a group of Sisters and Associates
were designated to propose a process by
which the congregation could form “corporate
stances” to more fully advance the social justice
agenda of the Dominican Sisters and Associates of
Peace. These five committees have been hard at work
addressing their charges over the past year. At this
summer’s assembly, they will summarize their work
to date for the larger congregation, and action steps
for the coming year will be set forth.
Acknowledging the
Earth as a gift from God
Eco-Justice and our responsibility as
stewards of this precious
resource, the Eco-Justice Committee promotes care
of creation. The committee, under the leadership of
chairperson Sr. Marguerite Chandler, has laid preliminary
groundwork for helping to educate congregation
members and the general public on various
issues regarding ecology and justice, to advocate for
legislation and collective action on behalf of Earth,
and to model sustainable living, personally and
communally. Some specific actions so far have included
encouraging Congress to oppose HR 97 (a
bill that would roll back the EPA’s authority to regulate
greenhouse gas emissions), offering reflections
on issues highlighting the justice aspect of ecological
issues, and promoting prayer and action surrounding
Earth Day 2011 this past spring. The committee
is working on a three-fold plan of prayer, study, and
action on the issues of water. Members will explore
ways to conserve water and work for cleaner water
in our personal lives, our congregational policies,
and civic decisions.
Members of the
Human Trafficking
Committee affirmed
immediately the need
for education on their issue, recognizing that many
citizens have little or no awareness of the number of
human beings who are part of this underground system
of modern slavery involving commercial sex or
labor. Under the leadership of chairperson Sr. Ellen
Dunn, committee members worked on many fronts
since the group’s inception last fall:
Communication with airlines and hotels: The first effort
of the committee was to invite Sisters and Associates
to write to the president of American
Airlines, thanking him for providing training for
flight crews to recognize signs of human trafficking.
They also encouraged writing to presidents
of other airlines, asking them to provide the
same training to their flight crews. Recognizing
that human trafficking increases greatly during
large sporting events, Sisters and Associates in
Kentucky wrote to more than 30 hotel managers
in the Lexington area prior to the World
Equestrian Games in October, providing information
and resources for recognizing
human trafficking. Before the Super Bowl,
hotels in the Dallas area were contacted
with similar information. Postcards were
provided as a resource to Sisters and Associates
who may stay in hotels, providing
them with easy trafficking-related information
to give to hotel managers, asking
them to sign a code of conduct regarding
sexual exploitation of children.
(continued on page 10)
Sr. Susan Morris demonstrates
against human trafficking
Human Trafficking
3 Preaching with a New Fire

women of peace who promote justice
Standing in Solidarity with Those who are Marginalized
Empowering
Families
Sr. Celeste Albers
Great Bend, Kansas
On Easter Sunday
in Prince of Peace
parish, Great Bend,
pastoral minister
Sr. Celeste Albers
(pictured, left) celebrated with the parents of five
children whom she and another catechist helped
prepare for Baptism, Confirmation, and first Eucharist.
Ministering with 56 Latino children and
three bilingual teachers, Sr. Celeste also teaches
English and works to empower the families to seek
services they need.
In addition, she is an active advocate for victims
of domestic violence and is helping raise funds to
secure a bilingual counselor for the family crisis
center. “We have women who are being abused and
have no one who can work with them at the center,”
Sr. Celeste explains. “Great Bend has a group
known as Ministers to Victims of Domestic Violence,
and we will be holding a Charity Laugh-in
fundraiser on August 28 to support this effort. We
try to provide extra love and support for women in
the community who have children and who are experiencing
difficulties and struggling.”
Sheltering the Homeless
Sr. Blaise Flynn
Boston, Massachusetts
Sr. Blaise Flynn (pictured, right) has been working
with the homeless community in Boston for
more than 30 years. She is currently a case manager
for Pine Street Inn, which provides emergency shelter
for 1,500 people and has more than 600 units of
permanent housing.
Three years ago, she helped to open Doe House,
where she assists in providing service-enriched housing
to people who live on the street. “We have 18
units of permanent housing, and it is my belief that
it takes five years to establish a house,” Sr. Blaise
says. She explains,“The people I work with have addiction
issues and are in poor health; sometimes it
takes six months for them just to sleep in a bed.”
So far, the program has shown great promise. At
Easter, residents pulled together and cooked the entire
meal, enabling Sr. Blaise to enjoy dinner with
her Dominican community in Watertown. “This
was major progress!” she exclaims.
Providing Supplies for Patients Here and Abroad
Mohun Health Care Center
Columbus, Ohio
Thanks to staff members Musu “Sue” Boikai (pictured, left) and
Sr. Carolyn Thurn (pictured, right), Mohun Health Care Center
has become an important link in a chain providing greatly needed
assistance to patients in Liberia. Sue brought to Sr. Carolyn’s attention
the dire need for medical supplies at Phebe Hospital in her home country. Working with vendor
connections through Mohun, Sr. Carolyn and Sue have obtained boxes upon boxes of expired
but still worthwhile medical supplies, which Carolyn arranges, Sue stores at her home, and the
community organization Liberians in Columbus, Inc., ships to the hospital.
4 Dominican Sisters of Peace

through solidarity with those who are marginalized
Ministering with Vietnamese Dominicans
Sr. Binh Nguyen
Vietnam
Sr. Binh Ngyuen ministers in Vietnam with the
Thai-Binh (Peace) Dominicans. The Sisters teach religious
classes, prepare children for the sacraments,
serve as music directors, bring Eucharist to the
homebound, and prepare non-Catholics for the
Sacraments of Initiation. The Sisters also conduct job
training programs for poor women in different towns
and cooperate with various agencies to provide financial
support for the education of poorer children. In
addition, the Thai-Binh Dominican Sisters are in
charge of food services for the diocesan seminary.
“What touches me the most is the Sisters’ ministry to
lepers,” Sr. Binh says. “They create a vibrant human spirit in one of the most inhuman conditions,
where a terrible disease gradually eats up bodies and threatens to take away dignity.”
Giving and Receiving from the Elderly
Sr. Lorraine Torres
New Orleans, Louisiana
“God wants me to be here,” says Sr. Lorraine Torres (pictured, center) regarding
her 24-year ministry with the residents and families of the Chateau de Notre
Dame Nursing Home. Sr. Lorraine considers her ministry to be a privilege, because
she is near the men and women who daily witness to her and one another
with their faith, their fidelity to church, and their daily acceptance of their condition.
Chateau de Notre Dame is where Sr. Lorraine “found her voice” and began
to speak out about justice in the system of caring for the elderly. “God is ever
faithful – He calls and sends us – but He also comes with us and even goes before
us,” she says. “Our residents and their families know that we are there for them.”
You can help!
Support these
ministries with a
contribution in the
enclosed envelope
or through a
secure online
donation at
www.oppeace.org
5 Preaching with a New Fire
Though Sr. Matilda Vaitekaitis’ mobility
has become more limited, her ministry has not.
More often than not, “Sr. Tillie” (pictured) can
be found in the Columbus Motherhouse pressing
various flowers and plants to create her
masterpieces – homemade cards with inspirational
sayings and beautiful arrangements. The
cards are sold for $1 apiece, with proceeds
helping to fund Sr. Doris Regan’s ministry in
Honduras to children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Flowers for the Children
Sr. Matilda Vaitekaitis
Columbus, Ohio
Photo by Tim Puet
Courtesy of The Catholic Times (Columbus, Ohio)

Addressing the Needs of Women and Children
women of peace who promote justice
Serving the Poor in Michigan – and Nigeria
Sr. Dorothy Ann Blasko
Gagetown, Michigan
Every Tuesday, St. Agatha Parish opens its food pantry to serve approximately
40-50 families and distribute clothing. As pastoral administrator, Sr.
Dorothy Ann Blasko (pictured) is present to support the people who seek
help and socialization. “We try to accommodate everyone and do not turn
anybody away,” Sr. Dorothy Ann says. She also assists with collecting coats,
hats, and mittens for children who cannot afford warm clothing.
“To help expectant mothers, we have a Baby Bottle Boomerang, where we distribute
baby bottles to be filled with loose change and returned to the parish.”
Helping hands were busy last spring when the parish women made more than 100 children’s
pillow dresses and sent them to Nigeria for Sr. Rita Schwarzenberger to use in the
Hope for the Village Child Program. “This year we hope to make and send more than 200
dresses to Nigeria,” Sr. Dorothy says. (See the dresses on the front cover of this publication!)
Delivering Babies and Hope
Sr. Peggy Dugan
Harlingen, Texas
A registered nurse for the past 50 years, Sr. Peggy Duggan
(pictured) became a certified midwife in 1980 and has delivered
thousands of babies. For 26 years, she has worked with poor
women at Clinica Familia, or “(your) family clinic.”
“One of the ways I promote justice to women is by ministering
to the clinic’s drop-ins as a partera, or midwife,” Sr. Peggy
says. “Women come to the clinic on the brink of delivery and
without prior prenatal care. They may not have been treated well
and even might have been raped.” With her compassionate outreach
to women in distress, Sr. Peggy points out, “Jesus Christ
was a drop-in, too, and his mother likely had no prenatal care.”
The spirit of the Lord is on me, for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the afflicted.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim a year of favor from the Lord.
Luke 4:18-19
6 Dominican Sisters of Peace

through solidarity with those who are marginalized
Armed with Education
Sr. Patricia Idoko
Gusau, Nigeria
After 18 years of religious
life with the St. Catharine of
Siena Dominican Sisters in
Northern Nigeria, Sr. Patricia
Idoko (pictured, right) graduated
this spring from Ohio
Dominican University in
Columbus, Ohio, with a Bachelor
of Arts in Psychology and
Sociology. She and Sr. Justina
Nnajiofor (pictured, left) came to study in the United States, living
with Sisters at the Columbus Motherhouse, under the sponsorship
of the Dominican Alliance, a collaborative group of nine US Dominican
congregations, including the Dominican Sisters of Peace.
Both finished their degrees this spring and have just returned to
Nigeria to serve where their community has the greatest need.
Sr. Pat hopes her education will enable her to address some important
justice issues in her home country. “I want to call attention
to oppressive systems, particularly for women, who sometimes do
not even see themselves as oppressed,” she says. “In my country,
there are unjust religious laws that apply only to women. There are
also on-going corruption issues in politics and voting systems in my
country that need to be addressed.”
Navigating the Law
Sr. Barbara Sullivan
Louisville, Kentucky
Women who are victims
of domestic violence
suffer serious
physical, emotional,
and economic injuries. As a lawyer with the Legal
Aid Society, Sr. Barbara Sullivan (pictured, left)
promotes justice by helping low-income victims
obtain safety for themselves and their children,
end abusive relationships, and advocate for their
rights to custody, support, and property. “I help
low-income women begin to reclaim self-esteem
and build healthier, more stable lives for their families,”
Sr. Barbara says.
The Gift of Listening
Sr. Noreen Malone
Columbus, Ohio
Women to Women brings women who
may be struggling with abuse, violence,
or homelessness together with volunteer
companions who offer “reverent listening
and nonjudgemental presence.” For participants,
it is an opportunity to share
their stories in a safe and peaceful space
and begin to believe in themselves. For
companions like Sr. Noreen Malone
(pictured, right), she says, “being with
the women reminds us of the common
thread that connects us all. Our circumstances
differ greatly but there is strength
and courage to be found in sharing
pieces of our lives with others. We give
and receive in each interaction.” Women
to Women is always offered in collaboration
with community service agencies.
One of the greatest benefits noted over
the years is the empowerment of women
to break the harmful cycles and heal relationships
with children, says Sr. Noreen.
Learning the Needs
Sr. Gertrude Tanner
Bloomfield, Iowa
Within Davis County,
Iowa, about one out of
every 25 women and children
is abused or neglected.
Through her volunteer
work with the Crisis Center Women’s Shelter,
Sr. Trudy Tanner (pictured) helps to provide
temporary, safe housing for women and children
seeking refuge from violent situations. She
reflected, “When you’re a town of 2,000, you
learn the needs, and you take action.”
7 Preaching with a New Fire

Identifying and Transforming Oppressive Systems
women of peace who work with others
Standing with and for the Poor
Associate Barbara Budde
Austin, Texas
The commitment to justice is extremely important to Associate
Barbara Budde (pictured, far right) both at home and in
her work as Director of the Office of Social Concerns for the
Diocese of Austin. “We need to stand with and for the poor
throughout the world,” she says. “Many suffer from lack of education,
poverty, racism, global injustices, and the residual effects
of colonialism.”
In April, Barbara hosted a fair trade coffee farmer from the
Chiapas region of Mexico whose village experienced a massacre
of 45 in 1997. “Out of that tragedy came the formation of a
coffee cooperative to help the individual farmers advocate for themselves and resist the violence in the area,”
Barbara shares, proclaiming the need to be part of such positive solutions to dire problems.
“We know the poor are suffering most from global climate change, and they are the group that has contributed
least to this problem. Our commitment to them keeps their needs and faces before us,” Barbara explains.
“Our congregation’s presence in Third World countries such as Nigeria, Peru, and Honduras testifies
that we are standing with and for the poor, not only in mind and prayer, but tangibly.”
The Power of the Pen... and Phone
Sr. Doris Lee Mingus
St. Catharine, Kentucky
“When I looked through our Chapter Commitments,”
said Sr. Doris Lee, “I wanted to
find a way to take part in each point, which
can be difficult because I work at the Motherhouse
switchboard five days a week.” As she
read the weekly Call to Actions and requests for
letter writing put forth by Justice Promoter Sr.
Judy Morris, she realized how she could manage
both her full-time duties and personally fulfill the congregation’s
commitment to social justice. In her down time while managing the
switchboard, Sr. Doris actively writes letters and makes phone calls to
the White House and other government entities in response to justice
needs. She has become one of the congregation’s most prolific legislation
advocates and serves as a wonderful model for others.
8 Dominican Sisters of Peace

to identify and transform oppressive systems
The Interrelatedness of Justice
Associate Cletus (Jerry) Stein
Amarillo, Texas
Attending seminary in Rome, Italy, turned out to be more life
changing than Associate Cletus (Jerry) Stein (pictured) anticipated.
At a time of great conflict during the Vietnam War, Jerry’s Ethiopian
friend, also a seminary student, taught him to view life in a whole
different way. Jerry gradually became more involved with justice
groups, especially in protest of what was happening overseas. Years
later, he continues to minister actively in various social justice organizations.
As a member of Christian Peace Maker teams, Jerry participates
in month-long training programs in Chicago. From there, he
travels with a group to various violent areas of the world and helps to
deal with local situations using non-violent methods. His most recent
assignment included a trip to Canada, where he met with area
Native Americans who were struggling to keep their land and resources. Although
he lends his heart and work to many different areas of justice, Jerry reflected on
how the fight against nuclear weapons is one of the most dear to him. “You begin
to realize that all of these causes are interrelated,” he said, “but if we can’t win the
fight against nuclear weapons, not much else will matter.”
Promoting Peace Education and Action
Non-Violent Peacemaking Group
Akron, Ohio
The Akron, Ohio, Nonviolent Peacemaking Group,
comprised of ten women, including Sr. Mary Ann
Wiesemann-Mills, Associate Conni Dubick, and
Sr. Maria Beesing (pictured respectively), came to
fruition soon after the women participated in the
program Engaging our Conflicts: Nonviolent Peacemaking
at St. Hilary Parish in Akron. The program called
the group to pray, recognize, study, and actively engage
in working on becoming nonviolent peacemakers
in the personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural arenas of their lives.
The women felt called to continue serving in a social justice capacity and founded
the group as a means to do so. As one of their first major projects, the women are
working with the Dominican Sisters of Peace to offer a series of films this fall that
address peacemaking and managing conflict through non-violent means.
9 Preaching with a New Fire

women of peace who promote justice...
Walking the Talk (continued from page 3)
National Prayer Day to End Human Trafficking:
Throughout the congregation, individuals and
groups large and small observed this important
event on January 11 with a prayer service and action
to raise awareness about human trafficking.
Many Sisters and Associates wore white that day to
invite conversation about this present-day tragedy.
Prayer Card: A prayer card was created and distributed
widely, with artwork by Associate Bettye
Brookfield and a prayer to end human trafficking
written by Sr. Mary Joel Campbell.
The committee will continue in its work to educate
the congregation and the general public about
human trafficking and will promote specific legislation
to address the issues.
Led by chairperson Sr. Robin
Richard, the Immigration Reform
Committee has been busy
educating themselves and the
larger congregation on issues surrounding immigration
in the United States and the types of reform
that are being proposed. In addition to providing
educational resources, the committee has encouraged
direct action on behalf of comprehensive immigration
reform. This has included participating
in demonstrations and prayer rallies to bring immigration
issues to light, as well as promoting letterwriting
campaigns and congressional visits in
support of the Dream Act and in opposition to proposed
immigration legislation in Kentucky and
Kansas. Many Dominican Sisters and Associates of
Peace have embraced these efforts, joining the
Immigration
In our constant pursuit of truth and justice, we willingly
accept the challenge to be a prophetic voice in
solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, and the
oppressed, and to work for human rights. Our various
ministries promote the fullness of God’s desire
that all will live in harmony and peace respecting one
another and the natural environment that sustains us.
Constitution 26
Dominican Sisters of Peace Constitutions
US Conference
of Catholic
Bishops and
others in the
Church and
beyond in promoting
greater
understanding
of the issues
surrounding
immigration and calling for
reform of our current systems. The committee is
currently putting into place the necessary measures
for the Dominican Sisters of Peace to enact a corporate
stance on immigration, which would provide a
strong foundation for further collective action on
behalf of immigrants in the United States.
Peace &
Non-Violence
Praying for Peace
in Oxford, Michigan
At the first congregational
assembly last
summer, members expressed
the desire to
study peace and nonviolence
and to partner with established organizations
to act on behalf of fostering peace in our often
violent world. Under the leadership of committee
chair Sr. Patricia Twohill, the group has provided
to Sisters and Associates prayer services and resources
to study and reflect on peacemaking, promoted
the establishment of a minute of silence for
peace each morning before prayer, and undertaken
group study of the book Personal Nonviolence: A
Practical Spirituality for Peacemakers by Gerard Vanderhaar.
In addition, direct actions promoted by the
committee have included contacting legislators in
support of the START II Treaty and HR308 (a bill
banning the use of automatic weapons) and the establishment
of all congregational buildings as
“weapons-free zones.” This summer, the committee
will participate in a workshop using the book Engaging
Our Conflicts: An Exploration of Nonviolent
Peacemaking as a resource. Facilitated by committee
member Sr. Maria Beesing, the program will address
personal, interpersonal, and structural nonviolence.
10 Dominican Sisters of Peace

An important vehicle
for a religious
Corporate Stances
congregation to advance
social justice issues is the “corporate stance.”
This is a statement of position that expresses the
collective wisdom and opinion of the congregation
on an issue of justice important to the corporate
body. It helps a community speak with one voice
and take action on an issue from an educated and
prayerfully-grounded position. The Corporate
Stance Committee, chaired by Sr. Rose Ann Van
Buren, has designed procedures for the Dominican
Sisters and Associates of Peace to form corporate
stances, from preparation processes of prayer, study,
discussion, and discernment, to voting requirements
and how to proceed after approval.
News Briefs
Speaking Out on Military Spending
AKRON, OH - In April, Dominican Sisters and Associates
of Peace joined with other members of Peace Plus
to raise awareness about the disparity between ballooning
military spending and underfunded programs for
health, education, and human services. The event, one
of hundreds worldwide for the Global Day of Action
on Military Spending, included a demonstration and
prayer service. Featured in the local media, participants
highlighted the fact that US military spending accounts
for about half of the $1.54 trillion spent annually worldwide
on military. Peace Plus, an organization affiliated
with Our Lady of the Elms School, works for peace,
justice, and care of Earth through educating and increasing
awareness.
Addressing Human Trafficking
BRIGHTON, MA - Eighteen Sisters and Associates recently
participated in the fourth symposium on human
trafficking sponsored by the Boston unit of the Leadership
Conference of Women Religious Anti-Trafficking
Coalition. The event included about 200 participants
representing congregations from throughout the greater
Boston area. The group works to help women and children
who are trafficked while educating the public
about this horrific crime, which is an offense against
human dignity and fundamental human rights.
Community Support
Oxford, Michigan
The Oxford Motherhouse
is surrounded by a strong
community whose members
not only attend Mass each
Sunday, but are engaged in the mission of the
congregation. This year alone, they have collected
more than $1,000 for Japan’s disaster relief,
more than $500 for the Crop Walk (a
national organization that collects funds to feed
the hungry – a percentage stays in the local community),
and more than $600 to fund a summer
program offered to the children of Jamaica who
live in one of the poorest areas of the country.
Declaring Weapons-Free Zones
Concerned about gun proliferation in the United
States, the Dominican Sisters of Peace have declared
all their Motherhouses, educational institutions, retreat
centers, environmental centers, and health care
centers to be “weapons-free zones.” Signs are posted
at all building entrances that state, “Dominican
Sisters of Peace are committed to the protection
of all life. Weapons are not permitted in this
building.” The congregation also has been actively
supporting HR 308, a bill to ban large-capacity
ammunition magazines, and recently became an
endorsing organization of Faiths United to
Prevent Gun Violence. Promoter of Justice
Sr. Judy Morris cites eye-opening statistics
that demonstrate the severity of the issue,
including the fact that the US led the world
in gun-related deaths in 2008 with 9,484
individuals killed, while Canada recorded
200, Germany 194, and England and
Wales 39.
Sr. Gemma Doll speaks at an
inter-religious prayer service and
rally for immigration reform
11 Preaching with a New Fire

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