| Winter 2002 | Volume 43, 4 |
| INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Voices for Veritas IV Justice and Peace: What You Can Do Chapter Happenings Dominican Liturgical Calendar Fund Drive Donors Provincial Dues Reminder Provincial Council Abbreviated Minutes |
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: Visit us on the web at www.op.org/oplaity Send orders or mail to Dominican Laity Office P. O. Box 085451 Racine, WI 53408-5451 Purpose of the Dominican Laity insert Norfolk Prison Pro-chapter welcomes Master of the Order PARABLE Retreat Schedule 2002 Mission Statement of the Central Province Dominican Laity Welcome, Fr. Jim Motl, our new Promoter |
PROMOTER'S PAGE
Last summer Fr. Ed Ruane, Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great, asked me if I would consider being Provincial Promoter for Dominican Laity. I said yes immediately. My experience as Spiritual Director of the Holy Rosary Chapter in Minneapolis had given me a high regard for the zeal and concern of lay Dominicans in the Twin Cities area for finding ways of preaching God's Word to our world by following the ideal of St. Dominic. My willingness to assume this responsibility was influenced by the fact that I will be retiring from my present work at the end of this academic year and will be able to devote more time to helping the Dominican Laity of the area grapple with the meaning of their vocation at this time.
First of all, let me tell you something about myself. I grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota during the Second World War. In the early 1950s, I attended St. John's University in Collegeville, MN, where I met Fr. Tony Kilroy, O.P., who at that time was studying in the minor seminary at St. John's. As I considered a religious vocation because of my admiration for the Benedictines, it was Tony who influenced me to consider the Order of Preachers. My decision was also guided by fascination with public speaking that went back to my grade school days. I was ordained as a Dominican priest in 1962. My first assignment was to teach religion at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, IL. My interest in public speaking soon reasserted itself, and I began teaching that subject at the high school while getting a degree in speech education from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. After ten years, my province gave me the opportunity to work on a doctoral degree in communication theory at Northwestern University. While I was finishing that degree, I was invited to teach homiletics at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., where I spent another ten years. At the end of this time, my mother, who was living alone back in Minnesota, began showing signs of Alzheimer's disease, and I thought that it was necessary for me to find work closer to home. Fortunately, the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, MN, was seeking a homiletics professor at that time, and my Province helped me to apply for and obtain this position, which I have now held for seventeen years. During that time, I have lived at St. Albert the Great Priory in Minneapolis. For a number of years now, I have lived with Tony Kilroy, who influenced me in my decision to become a Dominican. When Fr. Paul Johnson, O.P. who also lived with me at St. Albert's, left the Twin Cities several years ago, he asked me to take his place as Spiritual Director for the Holy Rosary Chapter of the Dominican Laity.
When a doctor told me that a worsening asthmatic condition could be helped by a move to a warmer, moister climate, I decided last year to move to St. Louis, where I hope to teach on a part-time basis at Aquinas Institute. This should leave me time to work with the leadership of the Dominican Laity of St. Albert's Province to strengthen the relationship among Dominicans in the Midwest. I have been encouraged by my e-mail and telephone contacts with Ruth Kummer, O.P. and the other members of the Provincial Council of the Dominican Laity in my desire to pursue this goal. Sr. Ann Willits, O.P. of PARABLE has offered the support of that organization in working on closer bonds among Dominicans in the region. I look forward to meeting with Fr. Ed Ruane and the Provincial Lay Council on April 27 to discuss how together we may make the Dominican Family in our area a better known and stronger working partnership to promote God's Word in the Midwest.
I am finishing this article on the First Sunday of Lent, which reminds me that originally what we now call the Dominican Laity was first known as an Order of Penitence. Penance has a less than positive image these days. Perhaps some still associate it with self-flagellation of one sort or another. I recently heard a Jewish speaker recall that at its root atonement, a closely allied term from the Hebrew tradition, has more to do with looking to God than looking at ourselves. When we look to God the Creator and Redeemer, we cannot but recognize the many gifts God has given us and the immense possibilities those gifts open up for us. In the face of such gifts and possibilities, we must recognize from our own failures to appreciate and actualize these gifts and possibilities how much we need God's help. When Jesus was made more fully aware of his identity and call from the God he called Father, his response was to go into the desert. His people had been tempted for forty years in the desert, so he knew its dangers. He also fasted. In both these actions, he was making himself vulnerable, so that God's will might be more fully expressed in his life. He also made himself vulnerable to the devil's temptation, but in that vulnerability, he turned totally to his Father for help and sustenance. I believe that this is what is at the heart of penance and of Lent. Most of us do not need to make ourselves more vulnerable to temptation than we already are. What we do need to do is search within ourselves to find those places in our lives where we most need to trust in God rather than in ourselves. Many find that their lack of trust often expresses itself by spending a lot of time and energy satisfying their own needs rather than looking first to God and then to neighbor. That is why fasting, prayer, and generosity to our neighbor have long been recommended practices for Lent. Placing God first and neighbor next, requires trust that someone will take care of us. Jesus trusted that his Father would take care of him in hunger and loneliness. Lent calls us to do the same. It does not surprise me that Dominic, who sent his Preachers throughout Europe to spread the good news of God's love for humanity, should commission his first lay followers to express trust through penance. That trust should come from comprehending the Good News. Works of penance speak of a radical trust in the mercy and love of the God we accept through faith in Jesus Christ. I pray that your Lent has brought you to a renewed hope and trust in that God.
Fr. Jim Motl, O.P., Promoter for the Dominican Laity
Province of St. Albert the Great
DOMINICANS AT U.N.: NEW SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE STATUS
Fr. Philippe LeBlanc, OP, Permanent Delegate to U.N., Geneva, Switzerland
I wish to inform you that the non-governmental organization (NGO) Dominicans for Justice and Peace was granted Special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations. The decision was made unanimously by the U.N. Committee on NGOs at its Thursday, January 18, 2002 meeting at U.N. Headquarters in New York City.
Dominicans for Justice and Peace was created in 1998 by the International Commission on Justice and Peace of the Order and its statutes were approved by the General Council of the Order in the same year. However, Dominicans have been present and accredited at the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in Geneva since 1997 through the aegis of Franciscans International with whom we share a joint Human Rights Office.
By obtaining special consultative status at the United Nations, it means that we, as a distinct NGO, enter into a different working relationship with the United Nations. Concretely, Dominicans for Justice and Peace will participate in its own capacity in ECOSOC and its various subsidiary bodies, such as the U.N. Commission on Human Rights.
Therefore, as an NGO with Special consultative status with ECOSOC, Dominicans for Justice and Peace can designate representatives, be invited to U.N. conferences, attend U.N. meetings, circulate written statements and can make oral statements at ECOSOC meetings and at ECOSOC subsidiary bodies' meetings.
Finally, Dominicans for Justice and Peace is called to continue to speak truth to the international community concerning serious situations of human rights violations worldwide and being the voice of the poor and the oppressed with whom our brothers and sisters are involved in the struggle for justice. The challenge for Dominicans for Justice and Peace is to be consistent and persistent in its pursuit of justice and truth. Speaking truth to the international community present at the United Nations Commission requires fortitude, a belief in basic values and a hope that justice will one day prevail.
from http://www.op.org/dlc/ngo@un/specialstatus.htm
| Clarification: One could read in several news bulletins that the present Master of the Order is 86th or 87th Master of the Order, or the 86th successor of Saint Dominic, and
we [at I.D.I.] have had several queries on this. Fr. Carlos A. Azpiroz Costa is the 86th
Master of the Order, but not the 86th successor of Saint Dominic.
I.D.I. (International Dominican Information), Number 396, October 2001, p. 228 |
VOICES FOR VERITAS IV ALTERS EVENTS SEQUENCE
Editor's note: On Jan. 28, 2002, Sr. Beth Murphy, OP, Delegation Coordinator, e-mailed on behalf of the [Domini-can] Iraq Steering Committee: Margaret Galiardi and Philippe LeBlanc (Co-promoters of Justice), Eileen Gannon(DLC/UN), Lucianne Siers (Communication), Ursula McGovern (Preaching Promoters), and Mary Sean Hodges (Justice Promoters). Forwarded by Joyce Calagos,OPL, rep. to N. Am. Promoters for Justice, Peace, and the Care of Creation.
Following a wide and extensive process of consultation regarding Voices for Veritas IV, 2002, the Iraq Steering Committee reaffirms the commitment the Dominican Leadership Conference made to our Iraqi sisters and brothers, when in 2000 they passed a resolution calling for an end to economic sanctions in Iraq.
Partly as a result of that resolution, the steering committee has as its goal to honor the human dignity of the Iraqi people by working with the Dominican Family to end the humanitarian crises in Iraq.
The ever increasing suffering of the Iraqi people, coupled with uncertain U.S. government policy toward that country, the volatile situation in the Middle East, and dangerous public sentiment prevalent in many sectors of U.S. society has led us to create a different sequence of events for the Voices for Veritas IV delegation. We will proceed:
First: to expand activities in the United States to raise awareness and sensitize our sisters and brothers and those with whom we minister to the ongoing deterioration of the humanitarian crises in Iraq. We will be entertaining various options as to how to accomplish this. Uppermost in our minds is inviting an Iraqi Dominican sister and brother to the U.S. for a national speaking tour.
Second: Upon the completion of this tour, and in conjunction with on-going monitoring of the situation, we will reschedule the departure date [of] Voices for Veritas IV. We want to express publicly our gratitude to the seven women who are committed to traveling with the delegation at a future date. In a conference call with them that was part of our discernment process, they exhibited a keen awareness of the situation and a continued willingness to stand in solidarity with the Iraqi people.
For your information, the funds that many of you have graciously donated for our Iraqi sisters and brothers will still be delivered to them.
NORFOLK PRISON PROCHAPTER : HOLY GROUND
by Fr. Wayne Cavalier, OP, Spiritual Director of Our Lady of Mercy Prochapter
The Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Norfolk, MA is a medium security men's prison. On July 29 [2001], I walked through the front gate security of that prison with Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP. He was fulfilling a promise he had made several years before as soon as he knew the General Chapter would be held in Providence.
Inside that prison is a growing community of Dominican Laity, made up of inmates, outside volunteers, and one of the chaplains...When Fr. Steve Ryan asked me to take over his role of presiding at Mass with the pro-chapter once a month, I was happy to do so, if a bit anxious about my first experience of prison ministry.
That anxiety slipped away, however, upon encountering this group of Dominicans. Not only were they serious and fraternal followers of Dominic, but during the shared homily, I found them to be true preachers, people who seriously approached the Word of God and deeply desired to know the Lord's will in their lives. When I am with them, the special struggles they have with shame, with guilt, with alienation and their concomitant insights into God's unconditional love, boundless and surprising mercy, reassuring presence, and what it means to live in community under incredible odds afford me deep insight into the Dominican vocation today. Most of them have found greater freedom behind those walls than many people on the other side of it. Their community life is powerful, nurturing and sustaining for them and for those who come into contact with them….I love going to pray with my brothers and sister of Our Lady of Mercy Pro-chapter at Norfolk Prison! Timothy did, too. After their application for recognition was finally accepted, Timothy lived out the challenge he gave all of us to help create ecological niches that support the strange forms of life that is religious life in today's society (Sing a New Song, pp. 106-7)….I know a group for whom that simple gesture has made all the difference in the world.
When the group learned that Timothy would be attending the General Chapter 30 minutes away in Providence, they seized the opportunity to invite him to visit. Of course, he accepted, and I [was his driver].
One enters Norfolk prison with nothing but the clothes on your back. To emphasize the emptiness, men are required to turn their pants pockets inside out. Everyone must remove their shoes, so they can be checked. Timothy was not exempt from these security measures. Our emptiness was matched by that of the inmates, who thought long and hard about how they would mark their encounter with this special brother. It would be a holy and powerful exchange.
Timothy offered what he had: his remarkable presence, the Eucharist, a masterful homily. After Mass, the men offered what they had: handmade paper flowers--over 210 of them, one for every person at the Chapter, each flower requiring two hours of work using nail clippers because scissors are not allowed; two beautifully decorated cards signed by every member of the community--one for Timothy and one for Carlos, his successor; a poster with a caricature of each member; a cross made of paper with each one's name and date of profession; and a statuette of Dominic carved out of a bar of soap.
Timothy was clearly moved with each gift, and for each one, he offered a word about what each gift meant to him, a word that "named the grace" of each exchange, transforming it into a preaching. After the exchange, Timothy invited the group to engage in a dialogue….One of the men asked Timothy to say a word describing how he understands their vocation. He did not hesitate, "I believe you are called to be a Word of Hope to the people who work here, and to your brothers and sisters beyond these walls." They knew he was right.
When Timothy was presented with a pair of "angel shoes," tiny sandals made of paper, he quipped that angel shoes are special because, unlike at the gate to Norfolk, one never has to remove them, and they remind him that along with angel's wings, they permit him always to be near his brothers and sisters at Norfolk. Suddenly, it made sense to me that we remove our shoes when we enter the prison, because I frequently have the feeling that this is holy ground.
Reluctantly, we left at the time set by the prison. I asked Timothy what his strongest impression of the group was. He stated that he was deeply moved: "They certainly have a way of making one feel loved." It occurred to me that was precisely the gift he brought to them. It was my privilege to witness this holy exchange. condensed from I.D.I. (International Dominican Information), Number 397, November 2001, pp. 238-240
JUSTICE AND PEACE: WHAT YOU CAN DO
by Joyce L. Calagos, OPL, St. Albert the Great Chapter, Oakland, CA, lay Dominican representative to North American Dominican Promoters of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation
Editor's note: This is based on six justice and peace priorities mandated by the "2001 Call to Action."
Here are some legislative measures you can urge your national legislators to support or to oppose. To find your U.S. legislative contact information, log onto www.congress.org or phone the Capital switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Their mailing addresses are:
U.S. Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
1. The Death Penalty-- Ask your senators to support S 191, The Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2001. This bill would abolish the death penalty under federal law. To inquire about various State bills related to capital punishment, log onto www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/Changes.html. For upcoming execution dates, log onto http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/executionalert.html. Please pray for those affected by capital punishment at 6 p.m. on the preceding evening of an execution.
2. Iraq -- We are committed to seeing the lifting of economic sanctions imposed upon Iraq. Log onto www.networklobby.org and click on "Legislative Action Center," and then, "Issues." Click on HR 742, The Humanitarian Exports Leading to Peace Act of 2001. Type in your zip code where required, and use the sample letter to write a letter to your U.S. Representative in support of HR 742. This bill would provide the people of Iraq with access to food and medicine.
For the past three years, we have sent U.S. Dominican delegations to Iraq to bring medical supplies and other goods to our Dominican sisters and brothers who minister there. We are committed to sending yearly delegations until the economic sanctions against Iraq are lifted. Sanctions have resulted in 5,000 children dying each month, for a total of 500,000 deaths over the past ten years. Please pray for our [Iraq Steering Committee and Voices for] Veritas IV delegation.
3. Africa -- Sister Eileen Gannon, OP, our Dominican NGO (non-governmental organization)representative at the United Nations in New York, sent a report about the worldwide tragedy of HIV/
AIDS victims, many of whom are poor African women. [See http://www.op.org/dlc/ngo@un/default.htm] http://www.networklobby.org has a sample letter in support of HR 1642, Debt Cancellation for the Millennium Act, calling for full debt cancellation for the poorest countries and, thereby, freeing up more public money to invest in education and health services, including the prevention and treatment of people with HIV/AIDS.
You are encouraged to join coalitions for responsible investment, such as ICCR, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, which presses corporations to be socially and environmentally responsible on issues like international health, tobacco and militarization. For socially responsible investments, check their web site at www.iccr.org. Demand that the investment corporations price drugs for HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria, so that the drugs will be made affordable for Africa.
4. Columbia-- Sister Marta Ines Toro, OP, who ministers in Colombia, informs us that Colombia is in dire need. The Dominican Provincial of Colombia met with others in December 2001 to form a Colombian NGO (non-governmental organization). Please pray for them and for the Colombian people.
Please also urge your U.S. Representative to support HR 2506, making appropriations for foreign operations and export financing. The passage of this bill would prohibit funds provided as part of "Plan Colombia" from being used for aerial fumigation to eradicate illicit crops in Colombia. In "Plan Columbia," the U.S. supplies the Colombian government military aid and helicopters for aerial fumigation over the cocoa fields in their efforts to win the war on drugs. Tell Congress to oppose "Plan Columbia," because it threatens the Amazon's fragile ecosystem and human health; destroys food crops that poor peasants rely on; forces hundreds of families from their homes, worsening social tensions; and does not decrease overall drug production.
Please phone or e-mail the following ambassadors to Colombia urging them to bring to justice all those who were involved with the assassination of lawyer and social activist, Digna Ochoa. Also, plead with them to defend the safety of Yolanda Becerra, president of the Organizacion Feminina Popular, from Barrancabermeja. Contacts are:
Anne Patterson
U.S. Ambassador to Colombia
Phone: 011 -57-1 -315-2139
ambassadorb@pd.state.gov
Mari Dieterich, Secretary for Human Rights
U.S. Ambassador in Colombia
Phone: 011-57-1-315~811 Ext. 2451
Dieterichme@state.gov
5. Missile Defense System -- We oppose the idea of the U.S. domination of space. You are encouraged to urge your national leaders to pass HR 313, regarding the continued importance of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and to oppose S 1439, Ballistic Missile Defense Act of 2001. HR 313 supports the upholding of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972. S 1439 would allow changes to the ABM Treaty.
6. Racism-- "Racism is the sin that says some human beings are inherently superior and others essentially inferior because of race." Brothers and Sisters to Us, U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Letter on Racism, 1979. Reflect on how you are growing in awareness of personal racist attitudes through talking, reading, and listening; confronting consumer and media prejudice; reevaluating language terms and phrases that may be harmful; and rejecting racist comments, jokes, and actions. How can I begin the conversion process within myself?
Please check updates on these justice and peace issues at http://www.op.org/dlc/ngo@un/default.htm
With the new year of 2002, let us pray to the Holy Spirit to grant us graces for a conversion of mind, and for new hearts, open to living new lives in Christ.
What can the Dominican Order do when the matter is urgent? It often happens that brothers or sisters seek international support in order to defend a person unjustly imprisoned or to pressure a government. Different forms of action are possible:
- International sharing of information
- Intervention at the Human Rights Commission in Geneva
- Intervention with the Holy See
- International campaign to gather signatures
In such cases, let the following people know the case, in the following order if possible:
The Regional Promoters in your continent (1,2)
The Promoter General in Rome (3)
The Permanent Delegate in Geneva (4)
These persons will then discuss how best to proceed. Our Promoters of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation are:
1. Central Province Promoter of Social Justice:
Father Dennis Woerter, OP
E-mail: Bspdomin@aol.com
2. Co-promoter of JPCC for North America:
Father Philippe LeBlanc, OP
E-mail: pleblanc@op.org
3. Promoter General for Justice, Peace and Care of Creation of the Order of Preachers:
Father Pablo Romo Cedano, OP
E-mail: jp@curia.op.org
4. Permanent Delegate to the U.N. in Geneva:
Father Philippe LeBlanc, OP
E-mail: geneva@fiop.org (FIOP: Franciscans Internat'l/ Dominicans for Justice and Peace)
Adaptation of Joyce Calagos' September 15, 2001 e-mail and Christ in the World!, Western Province news- letter, Jan-Feb 2002, Volume 13, Issue 3, pp. A1 and A2.
HAPPENINGS AROUND THE CHAPTERS
ALBUQUERQUE, NM NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LAS MONTAÑAS PROCHAPTER
Sick: Phyllis Nielsen; Sr. Pauline Richter, OP; and Patricia Zavadil's friend
To compare Carmelite and Dominican spiritualities, their February study was The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux. Fr. Matt Strabala, OP, preached their March 2 Lenten Retreat.
DENVER, CO ST. DOMINIC CHAPTER
First Profession: James Bacon and Mickie Kilker
Moderator Steve Smith presented the Nov. 23, 2001 National Catholic Reporter article on Akron (OH) Dominican Sr. Mary Catherine Hilkert's preaching experiences and travails. Fr. Cornelius Hahn, OP, preached their March 2-3 Lenten retreat on Dominican Spirituality.
DUBUQUE, IA ST. ROSE OF LIMA CHAPTER
Sr. Margery Race, OP, presented "Freedom and Responsibility" from Fr. Timothy Radcliffe's Sing a New Song.
MILWAUKEE, WI QUEEN OF THE ROSARY CHAPTER
Sick: Marcie Boyer; Rose Bracker's husband, Gene; Winnie and Belvin Dahle; Margaret Mary Luke; and Pat Walters
MINNEAPOLIS, MN HOLY ROSARY CHAPTER
Congratulations: Chapter Spiritual Director Fr. James Motl, OP, has been named Provincial Promoter for the Dominican Laity. Fr. Cletus Wessels, OP, will succeed him as Chapter Spiritual Director in June 2002.
Celebrants of their final profession anniversary of 25 or more years: James Longie in 1934; Phyllis Killoren on November 26, 1939; Evelyn Kelly on January 28, 1940; Bernadette Olmstead on December 26, 1943; Florence Adams and Sybil Bozarth on March 26, 1950; James Thornton on March 17, 1953; Alma Born on March 23, 1954; Lucy Drew on May 27, 1956; Shurrell Olmstead on September 28, 1958; Virginia Barrett on April 19, 1959; Isabel McGibbon and Isabel Severson on May 27, 1962; Edward McDermott on September 23, 1963; Sophie Denz and Gloria Lidstone on November 27, 1977.
Deceased: Loretta Dufour, who made final profession 43 years ago on June 22, 1958.
On January 27, they hosted a celebration of members who have been finally professed for 25 or more years.
RIVER FOREST, IL ST. VINCENT FERRER CHAPTER
Know Him in the Breaking of the Bread: A Guide to the Mass by Fr. Francis Randolph was discussed by members having made first profession, following through on the chapter's November Day of Recollection. To dovetail the business meeting, members voted that a majority of business be handled by Chapter Council earlier.
ROCKFORD, IL ST. PETER MARTYR CHAPTER
A March 9 Day of Recollection focused on the call to deeper grace.
SPRINGFIELD, IL OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART CHAPTER
In November 2001, Sr. Phyllis discussed the difference between Dominican Associates and Dominican Laity. A January discussion of lay vocations was held.
OUR PRIVATE MEMBERS
Sick: Ruth Jubb, Grand Rapids, MI
Deceased: Phyllis Dunnebeck, Rockford, MI (formerly of Grand Rapids, MI) in November 2001
PRAYERS REQUESTED FOR:
a return to health for Bro. Regis Hovald, former Provincial Promoter for the Laity and for
all members of the Order who are ill
an increase in vocations to all branches of the Dominican Order
guidance for the Iraq Steering Committee in deliberating Voices for Veritas IV action
in thanksgiving for our new Promoter for the Dominican Laity, Fr. Jim Motl, O.P.
"With joy and gladness we cry out to you, Lord, and ask you:
open our hearts to sing your praises and announce your goodness and truth."
-- from Friday, Morning Prayer, Week I of Lent
DOMINICAN LITURGICAL CALENDAR
|
March 2002
19- St. Joseph (S) 24- Palm Sunday, Hours Week II 28- Holy Thursday 29- Good Friday 30- Holy Saturday 31- Easter Sunday (S), Hours Week I April 2002
May 2002
|
21- Bl. Columba of Rieti, religious - Bl. Hyacinth-M. Cormier, priest 24-Translation of Holy Father Dominic (M) 26-Trinity Sunday (S), Hours Week IV 27- Bl. Andrew Franchi, bishop 28- Bl. Mary Bartholomew Bagnesi, lay Dominican 29- Bl. William Arnaud, priest, and Companions, martyrs 30- Bl. James Salomonio, priest 31- Visitation of Mary (F) June 2002
July 2002
(S) Solemnity (F) Feast (M) Memorial (OM) Optional Memorial |
| THANK YOU FOR YOUR FUND DRIVE DONATIONS
Joan and Robert Engel; Virginia Moore Federici; Kay and Bill Watson; and one anonymous donor. Additional contributions to defray our operating expenses may be directed to: Dominican Laity Office; P. O. Box 085451; Racine, WI 53408-5451. Thank you again! |
My Dear Sisters and Brothers,
With the start of the new calendar year, we began our annual collection of Provincial membership dues for 2002. Perhaps the best of intentions have not yet led you to write your check, however. This reminder is for you! While you are thinking about it, please write a check for $30 for individual membership dues or $40 for family membership Provincial dues.
Fund Drive contributions and Provincial membership dues solely finance our operating budget. We count on and appreciate your dues payment to support our work which benefits you. $5 of your dues pays for the Challenge subscription and another $5 for the Dominican Laity Provincial Council meeting, with the remainder for our other work.
Chapter treasurers, please remit a chapter check or individual personal checks payable to DOMINICAN LAITY to the Laity Office.
Private members are asked to mail their annual dues payments directly to the Dominican Laity Office; P. O. Box 85451; Racine, WI 53408-5451. If on a fixed income, please pay what you can. Even paying $5 for the Challenge subscription is helpful.
Thank you in advance for your prompt response to this request.
Yours in Saints Dominic and Catherine,
Mary Lee Odders, OP, Provincial Treasurer
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -cut and return - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thank you for your 2002 Provincial membership dues payment, which supports our Province's Dominican Laity work for your benefit. Please make checks payable to DOMINICAN LAITY.
NAME__________________________________________________
ADDRESS_______________________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP_____________________________________________________
2001 DOMINICAN LAITY PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEETING
PROVINCE OF ST. ALBERT THE GREAT, U.S.A. JUNE 14-17, 2001 SIENA CENTER, RACINE, WI ABBREVIATED MINUTES AND CHAPTER REPORTS HIGHLIGHTS
Welcoming Dominican Laity on this first collaboration with the Racine Dominicans, Sr. Rita Liu, OP, Retreat Director for the Racine (WI) Dominicans' Siena Center, expressed the community's pleasure with the association and familiarized the group with the facility.
Chapter delegates and visitors introduced themselves, beginning the process of becoming reacquainted. During this time, it was learned that the Grand Rapids, MI Chapter is requesting to disband due to age.
President Candace Randolph passed her Manila (Philippines) Family Assembly photos, thanking the province for sending her as delegate. Video "Lands of Dominic," by Sr. Joann Podlucky, Adrian Dominican, was viewed.
A social time concluded the evening.
On Friday morning, President Candace Randolph called the meeting to order, as members joined in prayer for guidance of the Holy Spirit.
After corrections and additions proposed by delegates, a motion to approve the 1999 Minutes as amended passed.
Ruth Kummer agreed to do Revisions of the Bylaws stemming from the 2001 meeting and was given the disk copy. Wes Lohr agreed to work with Ruth (via e-mail) on updating and revising troublesome aspects of the current document. Provincial Secretary Jill O'Brien discussed changes in the present draft that were recommended by Fr. Tom Johnston. Most notable, Fr. Tom believes he has voting rights on the Dominican Laity Provincial Council and that the Provincial Promoter role requires clarification.
Fr. Tom clarified that the role of the Promoter has become a disputed point internationally and across translations. "Ex officio" was translated in the Latin text as "plano iure" meaning "with full rights." This version sanctioned by the Curia is the basis of his claim to have voting rights on the DL Provincial Council. Ruth Kummer recommended that Fr. Tom petition the Curia for a clarification and the results be forwarded to delegates prior to the next DL Provincial Council.
A motion that the question about changing the bylaws in regard to the role of the Friar Promoter be tabled until resolved at another level passed unanimously. A motion to determine an ad hoc group to request from the General Chapter of the Order in July a clarification of the "ex officio" status of the Provincial Promoter and to explain the interpretation favored by the Central Province Dominican Laity Provincial Council passed.
A motion to approve the 2001 Revision of the Bylaws as corrected passed.
Jill O'Brien updated the current draft of A Handbook for Dominican Laity Leadership from recommendations of the 1999 Council. A motion that Ruth Kummer will collate revisions from the DL Provincial Council President and Vice-President to update and revise A Handbook for Dominican Laity Leadership and these changes will be distributed to delegates and officers for review prior to the next Council meeting passed.
Committees reported: Formation Chair Pro Temp
Sharon Huizenga stated 40-50% of the proposed formation book is completed. Unclear authorship of finished chapters makes disclaimers more difficult. Delegates suggested a Challenge posting of the list of needed formation book chapters.
Candace Randolph shared with the council interest in a new group being formed at Purdue University in Indiana. Fr. Steve Kuhlmann, who served as Spiritual Director for the group in Albuquerque, is now working at the Newman Center at Purdue with two other friars and is interested in founding another Dominican Laity chapter. Fr. Tom Johnston mailed an informational packet and is optimistic about this possibility.
Steve Smith explained that Bill Hureau, a finally professed member of DL originally affiliated with the St. Vincent Ferrer Chapter in River Forest, IL, informally began a chapter in Colorado Springs, CO after moving there. Bill is not currently communicating either with the Central Office or with the Denver Chapter of DL, and this isolated group received two members recently. Repeated efforts to ensure appropriate formation of this group are bearing no fruit.
A motion that the President should author a letter to the two individuals who were received as members of a potential Colorado Springs DL Group. The letter
(with a cross-copy to Bill Hureau) should express pleasure at their recent reception into the Dominican Laity, but clarify that progress toward eventual profession will necessitate completion of Formation under the supervision of St. Dominic's Chapter in Denver. The letter will stipulate that candidates must manifest an interest in affiliation and in learning about Dominican Laity community life. The letter will be signed by the President, Formation Director, and the Colorado Delegate with a cross-copy to the Colorado Springs Spiritual Director, Fr. Herb Hayek passed unanimously.
Steve Smith asked whether materials exist to train Spiritual Directors and Formation Directors. Jill O'Brien remembered when Council meetings were "open" opportunities for people from across the province to pray together, to learn about new formation materials or approaches, to train Directors, to discover what was happening around the province, and to develop interest in leadership with the membership as they watched or even participated in Council discussions. Wes Lohr noted it had been a long time since any training was offered to the Laity who are directing local chapters.
A motion that the next DL Provincial Council meeting should include both training and interactive sessions for Formation Directors and Chapter Moderators. The participants will pray and eat with delegates and issues identified by them also will inform council deliberations passed unanimously.
Finance Chair Karen Sabourin presented a Financial Report July 1, 1999 - June 15, 2001. Candace and she recommended removing [DL] cash from the Friars' Provincial Cash Pool in order to invest the funds separately. A motion that the President and Vice-President identify a qualified Treasurer and implement the removal of DL funds from the Friars' Cash Pool passed. A motion that the Dominican Laity Provincial Council accept the Financial Report as presented passed unanimously.
With approval of the Provincial Council and in keeping with the Bylaws, President Candace Randolph appointed Mary Lee Odders Treasurer, and she accepted the Position. A motion that until the Treasurer implements a Finance Committee, she will work in conjunction with the President and Vice-President to implement financial plans for Dominican Laity of St. Albert the Great Province passed unanimously.
Province passed unanimously.
Fr. Tom authorized the archiving of membership records without approval of the expenditure before or during the database processing, but believed he had the authority, as Promoter, to expend funds--particularly $3,000 which he understood the Provincial funded annually to the DL treasury to underwrite the Promoter's expenses. By the time he learned that arrangement was no longer operative, he already had commissioned the work. After extensive discussion, a motion that DL pay the $1400 secretarial bill passed by a majority. A motion that Fr. Tom Johnston give a copy of the database on disk to the DL President after the Provincial Council meeting and that he share the requisite Access software to translate it passed unanimously.
A motion that DL transition the pre-1980 database (now produced) to a province-wide database that includes additional information as proposed at the 1999 DL Provincial Council meeting. During this project: fields should be examined and decisions should be made about the appropriate software on which to house the DL database passed unanimously.
Candace displayed the cover graphic and the copy for a new DL promotional pamphlet that individual chapters can customize with local contact names or telephone numbers. Candace and Gail Eck were commissioned at the last council meeting to prepare this 'final copy.'
Candace Randolph, Steve Smith, Ruth Kummer, and Guy Murphy completed a draft of a Mission Statement for Dominican Laity in the Province of St. Albert the Great. It reads:
"Called to a deeper relationship of love and service
to God, we are members of the Dominican
Order who commit to live the Dominican charism
as lay people.
In collaboration with the Dominican Family, we
work to promote social justice and peace in society.
Supported by prayer, study, community, and
ministry, we fulfill our vocation to proclaim the
Gospel wherever we, as individuals, live and
work."
The delegates unanimously accepted the Mission Statement as submitted, suggesting it be printed in Challenge.
Presidential and Vice-presidential slates were completed and nominations were closed.
At the President's request, delegates adjourned to a three-hour private session to deliberate the health of the Promoter in relation to his ability to perform prescribed duties. After review, the delegates decided that the Promoter's state limited his capacity to fulfill the responsibilities of his role. For the sake of his health and the welfare of the Dominican Laity, a motion was made that a letter be written to the Provincial (Fr. Edward Ruane) requesting the removal of Fr. Thomas Johnston as Provincial Promoter of Dominican Laity of the Central Province. This letter will be signed by the Provincial Council delegates. Motion passed with 10 votes favoring and one abstention.
Delegates reported: St. Louis, MO has 16 members with 4 first professed, 6 fully professed and 6 inactive; has website: info@dominicanlaity.org ; uses "green box" at each meeting, instead of fundraisers. Springfield, IL held a March 2001 weekend retreat conducted by members of the chapter, which was well received. Milwaukee, WI has 10 members with 2 ready for first profession; and sings Morning Prayer. Minneapolis, MN has 34 members with 1 initiate and 1 inquirer; publishes a members' newsletter; has an annual Memorial Mass for deceased members; prays the Dominican Rosary at wakes of recently departed members; and crusades for the canonization of Fr. Francis Paschal Kelly, OP. River Forest, IL has 16 active members with 1 initiate, 9 first professed, and 6 fully professed; had its Executive Committee's decision to deny a member's circumstantial request for early final profession reaffirmed by Provincial Council; requested additional formation materials focussing on evangelization; and had Provincial Council suggest chapter officers could meet before or after the meeting to handle business and a summary or greatly abbreviated 'business' segment could result. Dubuque, IA sponsors a quarterly newsletter prepared by their Moderator, an annual potluck dinner, and an annual Day of Recollection; mourns the death of Sr. Adria Neumann, their long-time Spiritual Director; and holds special significance for the canonization of Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP. Farmington Hills, MI has 20 members, who maintain a warm rapport with the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament Dominican Cloistered Nuns and supports the work of Fr. Jesse Cox, OP. Ann Arbor, MI Informal Group has 2 finally professed members and 3 who regularly attend meetings; and is led by Ruth Kummer. Denver, CO has 25 members with 12-15 active and 5-6 people inquiring; is publicized at Archbishop of Denver's yearly Third Order Mass at the Cathedral and is listed in the Archdiocesan Directory; mourns the death of much-loved Spiritual Director Fr. Dennis Zusy; and to honor Fr. Zusy's plan drafted with Moderator Steve Smith for a Day of Recollection looking at Dominican life using the Sermon on the Mount, the members conducted the retreat. Formation Director Dolly Suazo supports Albuquerque's Informal Group, and Steve Smith is willing to work with the emergent group in Colorado Springs. Bay City, MI via e-mail reports volunteering in fundraising and distribution of food at the parish pantry; continues to produce a newsletter for wider dissemination; and welcomes future connections with Dominicans. Albuquerque, NM Informal Group via e- mail reports 3 fully professed, 4 first professed, 3 received, and 6 in pre-initiate phase; and formally requests change of status from Informal Group to Pro-Chapter. A motion that the Albuquerque Informal Group be officially recognized as a Pro-Chapter passed unanimously. A motion that the next Provincial Council President notify Albuquerque of the change in status and welcome as well as congratulate the members of the new Pro-Chapter passed unanimously. Grand Rapids, MI has no report. Candace Randolph observed that because of illness and health issues, this chapter has disbanded. Chicago, IL Pro-Chapter has inadequate numbers; the aging membership cannot meet monthly; and resists communication with the Provincial Council officers. A motion that the DL Provincial Council disband Pius V Pro-Chapter in Chicago and that the incoming President notify the group of this status change as well as request that interested parties become private members, if continued affiliation is desired, passed with 10 votes favoring and 1 abstention. Rockford, IL has no delegate or report.
Delegates elected Ruth Kummer as incoming President and Guy Murphy as Vice-President.
In June 17, 2000, the Dominican Leadership Conference decided that it does not want Dominican Laity to be full members with voting rights. DL felt associate membership was unacceptable, and the four U.S. Provinces and Canada would use limited time, money, and energy to invest in an International Lay Dominican organization.
Karen Sabourin highlighted the report of the February 22-25, 2001 Dominican Laity Inter-Provincial Council meeting, St. Stephen Priory, Dover, MA.
Members voted for the following resolutions: 1) that the DLIPC will explore appropriate means of collaboration within the Dominican Family other than membership in the Dominican Leadership Conference; 2) in accordance with the Bologna Chapter of 1998 (cf. #34, 146, 171, 177) all non-conventual but permanently professed members of the Dominican Order (Laity) reserve the right to represent themselves with the signature title "O.P."; 3) that the DLIPC will continue to meet annually and will encourage their provinces to seek opportunities for collaborative gatherings of the Dominican Family at the provincial, regional, and local levels; and 4) that each province will establish a "Solidarity Fund" to meet the DLIPC needs as they arise, such collaboration of international gatherings of Dominican Laity or the Dominican Family.
The DLIPC elected the following North American representatives and alternates to the provisionary International Commission of the Dominican Lay Fraternities meeting in Rome next October [2002]: Laurie Bisko (representative), Karen Woods (alternate), Fr. Martin Iott (representative) and Fr. Joseph Allen (alternate).
The Central Province will host the next DLIPC meeting on July 22-28, 2002 at Racine, WI's Siena Center. Sharon Huizenga agreed to serve on the PARABLE Board as the Central Province Dominican Laity representative. A motion to establish a Solidarity Fund in the DL Provincial budget to meet the DLIPC funding needs as they arise for international collaboration passed unanimously.
July 1, 2001 begins the fourth year of the modified Challenge under the editorial supervision of Mary Lee Odders. Mary Lee expressed a willingness to serve a second term.
Karen Sabourin reviewed the office space and labor issues that remain. Delegates resolved that the small space within St. Thomas Aquinas Priory continue to be rented; however, a motion that DL will send all correspondence to a new address: DL Office, P. O, Box 085451, Racine, WI 53408-5451 passed unanimously.
Karen Sabourin would be willing to assume some secretarial duties, clearly defined with clear authority. Delegates discussed the creation of a new Provincial Administrative Secretary position which would be included in the next Bylaws Revision.
A motion that the position of Provincial Administrative Secretary as described be created and that the Bylaws be amended accordingly passed unanimously. A motion to authorize the Provincial Administrative Secretary to hire supplementary secretarial support as needed passed unanimously.
Committee composition: Mary Lee Odders will serve as Treasurer and as a member of the Finance Committee, with Chapter Treasurers as "ex officio" members. Wes Lohr agreed to serve on the Finance Committee. Sharon Huizenga will chair the Formation Committee, with members Beverly Israel, Karen Sabourin, and Chapter Formation Directors as "ex officio" members. Jill O'Brien agreed to serve another term as Provincial Council Secretary with the agreed upon provision that she be able to produce the Minutes for any provincial council meeting during the December following the session because of other employment commitments. Steve Smith and Wes Lohr will work on the Database Project involving the collection of demographic, profession information, memories of Dominican Laity, and abilities/interests of the membership. In the short term, work will proceed to update from 1980 to the present the database begun by the secretarial service hired by Fr. Tom Johnston. The team will bring the "Individual Record Form" to the next Provincial Council meeting to explain the information required from each chapter member.
After a delegation of the DL Provincial Council met with Fr. Tom Johnston, the representatives returned to the room, where Ruth Kummer proctored the leadership appreciation ritual for leaders Candace Randolph, Karen Sabourin, and Fr. Tom Johnston.
Fr. Tom Johnston spoke about results of a May survey of chapter Spiritual Directors and Moderators. He found general agreement that the Formation Program requires upgrading and that Moderators and Chapter Councils need help in order to avoid undue deference to Spiritual Directors. He only received five responses, and only one was from a chapter moderator.
Fr. Tom reviewed a "Report of the Promoter General of the Dominican Laity to the Friars' General Chapter, 2001" authored by Fr. Jerry Stookey in May 2001, as well as his written "Report of the Provincial Promoter of the Dominican Laity" reiterating communication with officer team, office space, financial concerns, record updates, clarification of the Promoter's role "Religious Assistant"; formation issues; and preservation and strengthening of local chapters. Guy Murphy requested clarification about the wearing of the Dominican habit by members of Dominican Laity either at the time of burial or on special, ceremonial occasions (where a scapular might be worn.) After extensive discussion, a motion to write a letter to the Master of the Order requesting that Dominican Laity be allowed to wear the habit (or a portion of it, such as the scapular) for burial or profession failed with 8 opposed and 3 in favor.
The delegates convened in private session for renewed examination of the issues which earlier prompted the Council call for the Promoter's removal. A motion that a letter requesting the Promoter's removal *not* be sent to the Provincial failed with 5 in favor, 5 opposed, and 1 abstention. Discussion continued for about an hour, then delegates agreed to pray and sleep on this decision and to vote again early the next morning.
On Sunday morning, a motion that Fr. Tom Johnston be removed as Provincial Promoter passed with 6 in favor, 2 opposed, 2 abstentions, and 1 absent delegate. Guy Murphy and Wes Lohr will draft the letter with Ruth Kummer. Ruth already spoke informally with Fr. Tom about possible resignation as Promoter, based on the vote. He seemed open to that prospect. Ruth expressed concern that Fr. Tom would understand that the DL Provincial Council extends love, care, and concern for him, but the DL is not presently a milieu for his recovery. There are communication problems, boundary issues concerning spending funds or consulting elective officers, and grave concerns about Fr. Tom's ability to perform job duties currently.
A motion to update the "Lay Dominican Rule and Guidelines for the Province of St. Albert the Great, USA" passed with 11 in favor and 1 abstention. A committee includes Ruth Kummer as Chair with Guy Murphy and Jill O'Brien.
A motion to make the Editor of Challenge a member of the Dominican Laity Provincial Council with full voting rights passed with 9 in favor, 2 opposed and 1 abstention.
Delegates were concerned that in the limited time available before the General Chapter in July [2001] it would be difficult to draft and disseminate an inquiry about the distinction between "ex officio" and "plano iure" in order to obtain real clarification of the issues under dispute. Sharon Huizenga volunteered to examine the Latin text and to consult scholars. Sharon will join Ruth Kummer, Bob McAuliffe, Guy Murphy, and Steve Smith on an Ad Hoc Committee to draft a document. Delegates reiterated the importance of the task and discussed appropriate strategy for the document text.
Brenda Hayes recently returned from a trip to Siena and complained in a letter about the state of San Damiano's (St. Dominic's Church) near St. Catherine of Siena's historic casa. Delegates who previously visited the site discussed cultural differences concerning appropriate building "maintenance" as well as the lengthy period when the church was a Benedictine local parish. Delegates suggested that if Brenda feels called to fund-raise, certainly focused efforts might occur and she could consult the local pastor to gain his support and learn his perception of needs. A motion that the new President respond in writing to the concerns expressed by Brenda Hayes passed unanimously.
Siena Center in Racine, WI worked so well that delegates endorsed a return. A motion was made that the President arrange for the next Dominican Laity Provincial Council meeting at the Siena Center in Racine, WI on either the weekend of October 3-6 or October 24-27, 2002.
A motion that the first choice of meeting dates is October 3-6 and the second choice is October 24-27 passed unanimously.
A motion to adjourn the 2001 Dominican Laity Provincial Council Meeting passed
unanimously.
Members spontaneously asked Fr. Tom Johnston to lead all in a closing prayer.
The meeting adjourned at 11:07 a.m. on Sunday, June 17, 2001.
Condensed from Minutes of the 2001 Dominican Laity Provincial Council, Province of
St. Albert the Great, U.S.A., June 14-17, 2001, as prepared by Provincial Council
Recording Secretary Dr. Jill O'Brien, O.P.
PARABLE Conference for Dominican Life and Mission: 2002 Retreats
ENCOUNTER WITH THE WORD With brothers and sisters who want to live what they preach, this retreat model focuses on key aspects of Dominican spirituality: the Word, preaching, liturgy and community. Using the Scriptures given by the Church in daily liturgy, the retreat day will balance a time for silence with three communal events: Morning Prayer with preaching; Eucharist with preaching; and in the evening, communal reflection on the day's encounter with the Word. Participants have the option of a daily conversation with a member of the retreat team.
June 2-8 Siena Hall, Springfield, IL 62704 Rm. and Bd. $250 + Retreat Fee $120
Preachers: John Gerlach, OP; Andre Kravec, OP; Megan McElroy, OP; and Andrew
Pavlak, OP
July 6-12 Sinsinawa Mound Center, Sinsinawa, WI 53824 Rm. and Bd. $240 + Retreat
Fee $120
Preachers: Brian Bricker, OP; Mary McNulty, OP; Mary Margaret Pazdan, OP; and
Matthias Walsh, OP
DWELLING IN THE WORD OF GOD Providing an atmosphere of silence in which the daily Word can find a home in the heart of those making the retreat, the schedule will include the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharist. Music, ritual, preaching and a beautiful environment complete the contemplative experience.
June 23-29 Weber Center, Adrian, MI 49221 Rm. and Bd. $250 + Retreat Fee $120
Preachers: Martin Iott, OP and Patricia Walter, OP
July 14-20 St. Therese Retreat Center, Columbus, OH 43213 Rm. and Bd. $275 + Retreat
Fee
$120 Preachers: Stephen Fitzhenry, OP and Honora Werner, OP
WORD: PREACHED AND REVEALED Centering on the Word given by the Church in the daily liturgy, the retreat days will be characterized by common prayer and preaching, celebrating the Eucharist, personal prayer and silence. A communal reflection on the Word within the context of Night Prayer will conclude each retreat day.
June 16-22 Holy Family Retreat Center, Beaumont, TX 77713 Rm. and Bd. $225 +
Retreat Fee
$120 Preachers: Maria Beesing, OP and Mary C. Daniel, OP
July 21-27 Dominican Retreat Center, Elkins Park, PA 19117 Rm. and Bd. $240 +
Retreat Fee
$120 Preachers: Wayne Cavalier, OP and Constance Koch, OP
August 13-18 Mariandale Retreat Center, Ossining, NY 10562 Rm. And Bd. $225 +
Retreat Fee
$120 Preachers: Barbara Moore, OP and Michael Burke, OP
To register please contact: PARABLE, 7200 West Division Street, River Forest, IL
60305-1294. (708) 771-0088
E-mail: parable@theramp.net
http://www.op.org/parable
Please cut out and paste to the inside cover of The Lay Dominican Rule
and guidelines for the province of St. Albert the Great, U.S.A.
DOMINICAN LAITY
MISSION STATEMENT
PROVINCE OF ST. ALBERT THE GREAT, U.S.A.
Called to a deeper relationship of love and service to God,
we are members of the Dominican Order, who commit
to live the Dominican charism as lay people.
In collaboration with the Dominican Family,
we work to promote social justice and peace in society.
Supported by prayer, study, community and ministry,
we fulfill our vocation to proclaim the Gospel
wherever we, as individuals, live and work.
Mary Lee Odders
P O Box 85451
Racine WI 53408-5451
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