Promoter’s Page

by Father Jim Motl, OP, Provincial Promoter for the Dominican Laity

Advent is a time for anticipation. We can’t help thinking forward to the coming of Christmas in a few weeks’ time. Even those who don’t believe in Jesus are constantly barraged by reminders that there are only “X” shopping days left before the Holiday arrives, which accounts for a good portion of many commercial firms’ yearly income. As Christians, of course, we recognize that what we are awaiting is not the arrival of Christmas day, filled with material gifts as that may or may not be. We await the coming of the Lord. In one sense the Lord has already come, at Bethlehem 2000 years ago. In another sense the Lord comes to us each day in the gifts we receive, especially the gifts of life and grace. What Advent is really about, though, is our faith and hope that “we ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” The fullness of God’s power, glory, and love that Jesus came to announce is still just around the corner. Some from our midst have encountered that coming since last Christmas. Others have reason to think that they may be in the fullness of God’s presence before next Christmas. We all are closer than we were last year. Advent teaches us that this uncertainty is not dreadful but hopeful because of the promise of God’s continuing and everlasting presence demonstrated in the birth of Jesus.

In the midst of Advent anticipation I find myself looking forward to the next year as Promoter of Dominican Laity for the Province of St. Albert the Great. Attending the October meeting of the Provincial Council whetted my anticipation. Under Ruth Kummer’s skilled leadership we negotiated a number of difficult considerations of which I will mention three. You have probably learned from your chapter representative to the Provincial Council that that the Dominican Laity of our Province has received a sizeable bequest from a former member, Richard Irvine. We learned of this gift over a year ago, but settling the details of the will has taken some time. You will see in the minutes of the meeting that the Council has decided to invest the sum and use the interest to fund formation and continuing education of the Dominican Laity in the Province. This funding will make the next issue considered by the Council all the more possible. The Council has been considering a reformulation and updating of our provincial guidelines for formation for some time now. Sharon Huizenga, the Provincial Director of Formation, reported that the materials in use since the early eighties lack an overall focus and cohesiveness. She said that she needed help in putting together a revision of the guidelines we now have. The Council offered insights and suggestions. In the end Sharon said that she would formulate an outline for a revised set of guidelines. Ruth and I want to consult with chapter members about the guidelines on our visits to the local chapters during the coming year.

That brings me to a third item discussed at the Council meeting, a visit by the President and the Promoter to each of the chapters in the Province. Ruth and I had discussed doing this before the Council meeting. I want to get to know the chapters personally so I might be able to offer the best advice I can for fostering a healthy and growing Dominican Lay presence in the Church of the Midwest. Ruth wants to know how the provincial office can best serve the chapters. We also want to hear from members what directions they think the Dominican Laity should be taking. We will, of course, be asking about local experiences with the formation program and seeking input on how the revision should be done. Ruth has already been in contact with the leadership of the chapters, and six chapters have submitted weekend dates beginning next January. I encourage the remaining chapters to contact Ruth about available dates for visiting your area. I am including below one proposal for a schedule for our visit.

We are also proposing that part of our visit be given to prayer and reflection in the form of a one-day retreat. I would focus the retreat on the fundamentals or “pillars” of prayer, study, community, and ministry. It will be a time to reflect on how God might be calling our local Dominican lay communities to respond to the needs of the church and the community in their areas. The format is open to adaptation to the needs of the various chapters.

Friday eve - meet with the Chapter Council

Saturday

9:00 - Morning Prayer or Eucharist with preaching on prayer and study followed by

discussion with Chapter about these aspects of Dominican life.

10:15 - A break followed by a listening session for us to hear the concerns of Chapter

members and to share our insights on the vision of the Order for the future of

Dominican Laity.

12:00 - Lunch with continuing discussion.

1:30 - Prayer together followed by a talk on Dominican life and mission with an

emphasis on how Dominicans should see themselves in collaboration with the

mission of the Church, followed by a discussion of how this chapter can enter more

fully into the ministry of the local Church.

3:00 - Break

3:30 - Consultation on the new formation process and the initiatives we might take

to support formation with the income available from the Irvine gift.

5:00 - End for the day.

Sunday

9:00 - Eucharist with a homily appropriate to the Sunday and giving hope for the future.

I look forward to meeting as many as possible of you in the year ahead. In the meantime I will be praying for all of you during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

GENEROUS SPIRITS ABOUND

by Mary Lee Odders, OP, Central Province Treasurer

The details took nearly a year to uncover, but like a plot with twists and turns, the sleuthing was rewarded. In December 2001, a bequest check to the Third Order of St. Dominic of the Central Province and an accompanying letter arrived at the Province’s Chicago offices. No one was expecting it; no one knew the donor, Mr. Richard Irvine.

“It is certainly a story of honesty and fraternal care,” said Provincial Promoter

Fr. Jim Motl. “This interesting piece of information was sent to me by Cindy Ricard of the St. Louis chapter. Perhaps you already know it, but if not, it points to someone we owe thanks to. I will send him and the Western promoter a note of thanks.”

Ms. Ricard wrote, “As I suggested at our chapter meeting yesterday, I would ask my buddy in San Diego what he knew about Mr. Irvine and his bequest. It looks like we have Barry to thank for getting it sent to us, rather than keeping it for his own chapter/province:

‘Per Mr. Irvine. I was in the middle of that issue. I was contacted, by his executor/lawyer, asking where to send the $$!! (Oh, how tempting!) BUT, being the good boy I am, I went looking ‘to whom did he want the $$ to go?’ The executor was surprised I took so much time finding out who gets it. Our Promoter also ended up in the loop. I contacted our people in West, and contacted others ‘further east,’ trying to find out which chapter he had belonged to. (Yup, Central), so the executor was told to send the $$ in your direction. (I'd never met this guy, living in San Diego, had not been part of our chapter, etc. But I was the first one contacted.)

Barry McQuillan, lay OP from San Diego

Past prez of Western Province’”

Sandra Reynolds, the estate’s executor, related that Mr. Richard Irvine was a career military man, who in his military retirement became the Parish Administrator of St. Mary’s Parish in San Diego, California. At some point, it is presumed that Mr. Irvine spent some time in the Central Province and was a member of the then Third Order of St. Dominic. Having never married, he instructed that his estate be divided equally between St. Mary’s in San Diego and the Third Order of St. Dominic of the Central Province.

From the letter accompanying the bequest check, it was clear that Mr. Irvine did not want the bequest money spent for the operating expenses of the Dominican Laity. On our behalf, Vicar Provincial Fr. David Wright, OP, persevered in six month’s of communication efforts with the estate attorney to determine the presence of any restrictions on the bequest money. In the absence thereof, the Provincial Council approved the conservative investment of the bequest monies and the use of the income generated from investments for education of members, educational inserts for Challenge, and formation events. The Provincial Council further approved the formation of a Finance Committee comprised of the Treasurer, President, Promoter, and appointed members to review and approve investment recommendations of the professional investment representative. [Editor’s note: This issue of Challenge has the first educational insert funded by income generated by the bequest.]

Join Dominicans around the world in a prayerful stance for world peace every Friday ... in public ... in private, or in whatever way you can.

About the Fast

On Sept. 1, Jim Barnett, OP; Jane Abell, OP; Brian Pierce, OP and Sheila Provencher began a water-only fast. Daily they had taken this stance of fast and prayer as a public witness for peace in Union Square Park and occasionally at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at the United Nations, both in New York City. Thousands from around the world — 36 countries — joined them in prayer and fasting for peace. On Saturday, Sept. 28, the four broke their fast on the front lawn of the United Nations with Carlos Azpiroz, OP, master of the Dominican Order of Preachers. Moved by their public witness, Dominicans and friends around the world wanted to continue this great universal, interfaith prayer that There Must be Another Way Fast for Peace and Nonviolence has begun.

You are invited to continue this stance of fasting and praying on Fridays. Dominicans, as well as friends and people from other faith communities, are beginning to organize prayer and fasting sites in publicly visible locations around the world. You can find the sites established by clicking on the "Prayer Sites" button. If there are no prayer sites where you are, you are welcomed to organize a public prayer site, then let us know and we will list it on this site.

Traveling fast banner and video are available.Click here for more details

Ways to Fast

Every Friday, fast from lunch and join friends in prayer for peace.

Every Friday fast for 10 minutes in quiet with your family.

Stand in a public place with friends and pray for peace at noon on Fridays.

Organize a Friday vigil for one hour in your parish.

Light a candle in your window on Friday nights.

Ask your friends to join you in a fast from talking between classes at your school on Fridays.

Download the Fast for Peace and Nonviolence logo and hang it in your window.

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

Pope Issues Historic Apostolic Letter on The Rosary

WASHINGTON (October 17, 2002) -- On the day marking the beginning of the 25th year of his pontificate, Pope John Paul II issued an historic Apostolic Letter on the Rosary. To make the centuries-old Catholic prayer more fully "a compendium of the Gospel," the Pope has added five additional mysteries, called "mysteries of light." This expansion marks the first such change in the Rosary in more than 430 years.

The Holy Father’s Apostolic Letter, The Rosary of the Virgin Mary (Rosarium Virginis Mariae), was released at the Vatican on October 16. It was on October 16, 1978 that John Paul II was elected to the papacy. His pontificate has now become one of the longest in the history of the Church.

In the Apostolic Letter, the Holy Father said he wanted to bring out more fully the Christological depth of the Rosary. Accordingly, he has broadened the traditional pattern of the Rosary to include the mysteries of Christ’s public ministry between his Baptism and his Passion.

Quoting the Gospel of John, Pope John Paul II writes: "It is during the years of his public ministry that the mystery of Christ is most evidently a mystery of light: ‘While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’"

"Consequently, for the Rosary to become more fully ‘a compendium of the Gospel,’ it is fitting to add, following a reflection on the Incarnation and the hidden life of Christ (the joyful mysteries) and before focusing on the sufferings of his Passion (the sorrowful mysteries) and the triumph of his Resurrection (the glorious mysteries), a meditation on certain particularly significant moments in his public ministry (the mysteries of light)," the Pope wrote. "The addition of these new mysteries, without prejudice to any essential aspect of the prayer’s traditional format, is meant to give it fresh life and to enkindle renewed interest in the rosary’s place within Christian spirituality as a true doorway to the depths of the heart of Christ, ocean of joy and of light, of suffering and of glory."

The "mysteries of light" focus on Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan; his self-manifestation at the wedding at Cana; his proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with his call to conversion; his Transfiguration; and his institution of the Eucharist.

In the Letter, the Holy Father announced the start of a Year of the Rosary--October 2002 to October 2003--during which the Rosary should be especially emphasized and promoted in the various Christian communities. "The Rosary, reclaimed in its full meaning, goes to the very heart of Christian life; it offers a familiar yet fruitful spiritual and educational opportunity for personal contemplation, the formation of the People of God, and the new evangelization," the Pope said.

For more than four centuries, the rosary has been recited in a series of three mysteries-- the joyful, the sorrowful, and the glorious mysteries--each of which has five themes dedicated to episodes in the lives of Jesus and Mary. Those 15 mysteries were standardized by Pope Pius V in 1569.

Pope John Paul II has had a deep devotion to Mary and to the Rosary throughout his life. In recent times, and particularly after last year’s September 11 terrorist attacks, he has urged Catholics to recite it daily to ask the intercession of the Blessed Mother for world peace and to protect humanity from the evils of violence and war.

The Rosary of the Virgin Mary will be available as a 44-page publication (no. 5-538) from USCCB Publishing, the official publisher of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, for $4.95 each. For a limited time, USCCB Publishing will offer the apostolic letter with two related booklets--A Rosary for Peace and A Scriptural Rosary for Justice and Peace--for the discounted price of $9.95. To order, call 1-800-235-8722.

Office of Communications
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000

November 10, 2002 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

2002 Session of the UN Commission

The 2002 session of the UN Commission was the first to take place following major world events including the World Conference against Racism which was held from August 31 to 7 September, 2001 in Durban, South Africa, the heinous terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States as well as the increasing violence of the second intifada in the Middle East. Further, this was the first time ever that the United States did not participate as an elected member of the Commission. Understandably, the international situation did not help to create a spirit of cooperation and goodwill among governments. Notwithstanding the tensions, the UN Commission remains the highest body for dealing with the major human rights issues of the world.

Both at the UN Commission and Sub-Commission, Dominicans, in conjunction with Franciscans International, provided direct testimonies on issues such as the death penalty, religious intolerance in Pakistan, sanctions in Iraq, and the bombing of the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico. In their statement on the rights of minorities in Pakistan, Dominicans spoke about religious intolerance as one of the root causes of a number of conflicts and ongoing violence in the world. Concerning Iraq, Dominicans called on the international community to “take all means possible to bring an end to the sanctions which are killing the children of Iraq.” Dominicans for Justice and Peace also called for an end to the bombings in Vieques, Puerto Rico, which has been used for the last 60 years for weapons testing by the U.S., NATO countries, and arms manufacturers, and also for the decontamination of the island. While calling for the universal abolition of the death penalty, Dominicans for Justice and Peace highlighted the case of Javier Suàrez Medina that resulted in actions taken by the Chairperson of the Sub-Commission and others urging U.S. authorities to stop the execution.

Dominicans for Justice and Peace

Philippe LeBlanc, OP

From www.un.op.org/docs/statement.php?id=157

“Compassion Is Christ's Command”

from a homily on the Letter to the Romans by St. John Chrysostom, bishop

God gave us his own Son; but you will not even share your bread with him who was given us and put to death for your sake.

On account of you the Father did not spare him though he was indeed his Son; you disregard him when he is wasting away with starvation, even though you would be spending on him what is really his, spending it moreover for your own good. What can be worse than such injustice? He was given up for you, put to death for you, went about hungry for you; you would be giving only what is his, giving moreover for your own benefit; even so, you refuse to give.

What stone could be more insensitive than such men, for despite so many inducements they persist in this satanic cold heartedness. He was not satisfied only to endure death on a cross; he chose to become poor and homeless, a beggar and naked, to be thrown into prison and suffer sickness, so that in this way too he might invite you to join him.

"If you will make me no return for having suffered for you, at least have pity on my poverty. If not that, be moved at least by my sickness and imprisonment. If none of these elicit your compassion, at least grant me this, because it is so small a request. I want nothing expensive, just a little bread, shelter, a few kind words. If all this leaves you unmoved, at least improve your conduct for the kingdom of heaven's sake, for all the rewards I have promised. Or is this too of no account in your eyes? Well, at least out of natural pity you might feel upset when you see me naked; and remember how I was naked on the cross, which I suffered for your sake; or, if not this, then recall the poverty and nakedness I endure today in the poor. Once I was in fetters for you; I am still in fetters for you, so that whether by those earlier bonds or by these present ones, you might be moved to show some feeling for me. I fasted for you and I go hungry again, still for your sake; I thirsted as I hung upon the cross, and I am thirsty again in the poor of today. In one way or another, I would draw you to myself; for your soul's sake, I would have you compassionate.

"You are bound to me by innumerable favors, and now I ask you to make some return. Not that I demand it as my due. I reward you as though you were acting out of generosity; for your trifling gestures, I am giving you a kingdom.

"I do not say: 'Put an end to my poverty,' or 'Make over to me your wealth, although it was for you that I became poor.' All I ask for is a little bread, clothing and a little comfort in my hunger.

“If I am in prison, I do not ask you to set me free of my chains and release me; all I ask is that, for my sake, you should visit someone in prison. This will be favor enough; in return I bestow upon you heaven. I released you from the heaviest chains; it will be enough for me if you visit me in prison.

“I could, of course, reward you without any of this; but I want to be in your debt, so that, along with your reward, you may have confidence in yourself."

From the Office of Readings For Those Who Worked for the Underprivileged

“Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread”

from Trappist Fr. M. Basil Pennington, osco

How many times a day do I pray them, these words from the prayer the Lord himself taught us. And as I pray them they batter me about.

I think of the immigrants who have come to our land and today find themselves the subjects of so much hostility. Aren’t we all immigrants? I do have some Native American blood in my veins, but the Penningtons came to America with William Penn. A long time ago, but still we are immigrants,

who came to seek and share the benefits the Lord was bestowing in this land. Many of our immigrant brothers and sisters have never known enough to eat – like us in the days of the great depression-- have never known the security of regular job that could support a family, have never known the possibility of a decent education, of an opportunity to develop and use their God-given abilities and talents.

While sisters and brothers in so many lands suffer from malnutrition and even see their children die of hunger, we in America store tons of food and pay farmers not to allow their land to produce according to its potential. We export arms and keep our arms factories humming rather than producing and sending farm machinery. We use some of our finest talent to develop weapons of war instead of the technology that would enable the human family to eat well and live a more human life.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” What can I do besides pray? I can do my little bit at home: Content myself with what is enough. (How many of us are overweight?) Make use of leftovers. Give what I can to food pantries and soup kitchens, including some of my time and energy. I can use my

political voice to advocate for more humane approaches on every level of government policy making.

And, yes, we can pray. When our Lord looked out over the world, a world in such need of conversion, hope and salvation, he said to his disciples: “Behold the fields are ready for harvest; pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers.” Not first: roll up your sleeves and get to work, but first: pray for laborers. Then maybe with the divine grace we will sense ourselves called to labor for a more equitable world. We want peace, but we will not have peace as long as greediness and selfishness aggrandizes some to the dehumanization of others. We cannot expect a man

to live in peace when he sees his children starving while others are not only overly fed but wasting food. Sure there is crime in the streets of New York (and other cities) where the hungry line up at the back doors of restaurants to get the “garbage” from the overloaded plates of $200 dinners.

We Americans have the wonderful feast of Thanksgiving. It goes back to our earliest days. Many a poor person gets a good meal that day, perhaps served by a bishop. But what about the other three hundred and sixty-four days of the year? True gratitude comes from awareness of the gratuity of

what we are receiving. All that we have is gift: life, talents, the opportunity to develop them and to earn, not just a living but a fortune, the abundance of our land. Our heavenly Father gives it not just to you and me, but to us all. When we take more than we need while others of his children do not have enough, how can we say we are grateful?

Lord, in your mercy, give us this day our daily bread. And make us profoundly and effectively aware that it is “our” bread. And give us the will to do all we can, however little or much that might be, to see that our bread is equitably shared among your children, our sisters and brothers.

Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

The directions for our public witness are found in Scripture and Catholic social teaching. The following are key themes at the heart of our Catholic social tradition.

Life and Dignity of the Human Person

Every human person is created in the image and likeness of God. The conviction that human life is sacred and that each person has inherent dignity that must be respected in society lies at the heart of Catholic social teaching. Calls to advance human rights are illusions if the right to life itself is subject to attack. We believe that every human life is sacred from conception to natural death; that people are more important than things; and that the measure of every institution is whether or not it enhances the life and dignity of the human person.

Call to Family, Community, and Participation

The human person is not only sacred but inherently social. The god-given institutions of marriage and the family are central and serve as the foundations for social life. They must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. Beyond the family, every person has a right to participate in the wider society and a corresponding duty to work for the advancement of the common good and the well-being of all, especially the poor and weak

Rights and Responsibilities

As social beings, our relationships are governed by a web of rights and corresponding duties. Every person has a fundamental right to those things that allow them to live a decent life – faith and family, food, and shelter, health care and housing, education and employment. In society as a whole, those who exercise authority have a duty to respect the fundamental human rights of all persons. Likewise, all citizens have a duty to respect human rights and to fulfill their responsibilities to t heir families, to each other, and to the larger society.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

Scripture teaches that God has a special concern for the poor and vulnerable. The prophets denounced injustice toward the poor as a lack of fidelity to the God of Israel. Jesus, who identified himself with the least of these, came to preach the good news to the poor and told us, “Give to him who asks of you, do not refuse one who would borrow from you.” The Church calls on all of us to embrace this preferential love of the poor and vulnerable, to embody it in our lives, and to work to have it shape public policies and priorities.

Dignity of Work, and the Rights of Workers

The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s acts of creation. Work is a way of fulfilling part of our human potential given to us by God. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers, owners, and managers must be respected – the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to economic initiative, and to ownership and private property.

Solidarity

Because of the interdependence among all the members of the human family around the globe, we have a moral responsibility to commit ourselves to the common good at all levels: in local communities, in our nation, in the community of nations. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. As pope John Paul II has said, “We are all really responsible for all.”

Care for God’s Creation

The world that God created has been entrusted to us, yet our use of it must be directed by God’s plan for creation, not simply by our own benefit. Our stewardship of the earth is a kind of participation in God’s act of creating and sustaining the world. In our use of creation, we must be guided by our concerns for the welfare of others, both around the world and for generations to come, and by a respect for the intrinsic worth and beauty of God’s creatures.

HAPPENINGS AROUND THE CHAPTERS

ALBUQUERQUE, NM NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LAS MONTAÑAS PROCHAPTER

A retreat led by Fr. Richard Drabik, MIC (Marian priest of the Immaculate Conception), is being planned for February 1, 2003. Continuing their study of the life of St. Teresa of Avila, they pondered how we respond when we hear God‘s voice calling us to take the unknown path.

BAY CITY, MI BL. JOHN DOMINICI CHAPTER

Sick: Lois Tomaszewski

DUBUQUE, IA ST. ROSE OF LIMA CHAPTER

The chapter’s study of Sing a New Song continues.

DENVER, CO ST. DOMINIC CHAPTER

The Novices will be joining the Dominican Laity at Mass and Morning Prayer each month when possible. On September 8, Master of the Order Fr. Carlos Azpiroz Costa, OP celebrated Mass followed by a reception, where chapter members assisted with food trays.

MILWAUKEE, WI QUEEN OF THE ROSARY CHAPTER

Sick: Marcie Boyer; Winnie Dahle; Karen Sabourin and Pat Walters

Deceased: Winnie Dahle’s husband, Belvin, on September 12

Received: Rosalie Durante on November 16

Congratulations: September’s celebration of Final Profession Anniversaries included Esther Byrne 1950; Marcella Guentner 1961; Sharon Huizenga October 21, 2000; Margaret Mary Luke 1974; Mary Lee Odders October 21, 2000; Karen Sabourin May 21, 1967; and Pat Walters June 9, 1985.

Sharon Huizenga represented the chapter during the Master of the Order’s September 17 visit to the priory in River Forest, IL. The chapter provided hospitality October 24-27 at the Provincial Council meeting.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN HOLY ROSARY CHAPTER

Deceased: Lucy Drew on September 6

The chapter’s study, Gospel of Life, has been so well-received, that the length of the study has been extended.

RIVER FOREST, IL ST. VINCENT FERRER CHAPTER

Members welcomed the Master of the Order to the River Forest priory on September 17. Provincial Vice-President Guy Murphy represented the Dominican Laity at a September 18 meeting of lay orders’ representatives exploring ways to collaborate. Their September 21 Day of Recollection was attended by more than 50 people.

ROCKFORD, IL ST. PETER MARTYR CHAPTER

Received: Harold E. Rayment, Jr. on October 12

On September 14, the chapter viewed and discussed the video, “The Footprints of God.”

ST. LOUIS, MO QUEEN OF THE HOLY ROSARY CHAPTER

Final Profession: Cynthia Ricard on October 6

Congratulations: Chapter Spiritual Director Fr. Jim Motl, OP

Trisha Moore maintains their web site www.dominicanlaity.org The Master of the Order visited St. Louis-area Dominican Communities on September 19-20. A January 4 Day of Recollection is being planned to coincide with their chapter visitation.

SPRINGFIELD, IL OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART CHAPTER

Final Profession: Barbara Blankenship and Marie Harper on September 22

OUR PRIVATE MEMBERS

Sick: Jill O’Brien’s mother, father, sister, and brother-in-law; Carmella Wawrzyniak’s recovery from Aug. 26 surgery

PRAYERS REQUESTED FOR:

a return to health for Br. Regis Hovald, OP 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

In Loving Memory of

Evelyn Kelly graciously informs us that the Minneapolis Holy Rosary Chapter “is mourning the death of Lucy Drew. She served two terms as Prioress and many years as Treasurer. She also was President of the Auxiliary for the Dominican Sisters of the Sick Poor, a large group. Their many activities included a very successful annual fundraising bazaar. She will be lovingly remembered by us.”

Lucy F. (MacMillan) Drew passed away on September 6 and was professed for more than 50 years.

Eternal Rest, O Lord!

In Loving Memory of

St. Louis’ Queen of the Holy Rosary Chapter joins their Formation Director, Mrs. Dorothy Elliott, in mourning the passing of her husband, William. A memorial Mass was held on Saturday, October 5, at St. Joan of Arc Church. Chapter Secretary Cynthia Ricard relates that “William H. Elliott, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, died Friday, September 27, at the age of 84. Dr. Elliott had a long and distinguished career in the department of biochemistry at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.”

Eternal Rest, O Lord!

University Professor

Makes Her Final Profession as a

Lay Dominican

October 6, 2002

by Jim Motl, O.P.

On Sunday afternoon, October 6, during evening prayer at St. Dominic's Priory in St. Louis, Cynthia Ricard, O.P. made her final profession as a Lay Dominican. Dorothy Elliot, O.P., Director of Formation of Queen of the Holy Rosary Chapter of Lay Dominicans in St. Louis, presented Cynthia for profession. Wesley Lohr, O.P., Vice Moderator of the Chapter with Fr. James Motl, O.P., Promoter for Dominican Laity in the Province of St. Albert the Great, received her profession of commitment to live the rest of her life according to the Rule and Guidelines for Lay Dominicans in the Province.

Cynthia was born and grew up in Schenectady, NY. She graduated with a BS in biology from Siena College, which is operated by Franciscan Friars. Cyndi has been married to John Ricard for 25 years. Both were volunteers at the Dominican Spiritual Life Center and came under the influence of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine D'Ricci. Both Cyndi and John were also involved in catechesis, liturgy, & music ministry at St. Helen's Church, Schenectady, NY. Cyndi resumed her education at Albany Medical College, and earned a Ph.D. in virology

Cyndi's Vocational Discernment

The development of Cyndi's Dominican vocation commenced right after college with a retreat to discern between the options of marriage or becoming a religious sister. Sr. Brigid handed Cyndi a flyer about third order and Cyndi knew this was "it". Cyndi expanded her contacts with the order through volunteering in the retreat ministry. After she moved to St. Louis, she saw an ad in the Cathedral parish bulletin for a day of recollection for Dominican laity, and "voici!" Here she is! As Sr. Carolyn observed, [this] must be on record as the longest formation period for a Dominican vocation!

The St. Louis Chapter of Lay Dominicans

The St. Louis Chapter of Lay Dominicans has a long history that predates the presence of Dominican friars in the city. The original members were gathered by a Dominican religious sister from Springfield, Illinois. They, like Dominican Laity throughout the world, pledge to live out the Dominican charism of proclaiming God's Word in ways appropriate to their secular vocations. The chapter meets once a month for prayer together, for study of the Church's teachings, and for mutual support. If you are interested in learning more about Dominican Laity, contact the Provincial Promoter, Fr. Jim Motl, O.P. (motljr@slu.edu) or the Chapter Moderator, Joseph Komadina, O.P. (jkomadina@hotmail.com).

Dominican Life

Submitted by Sr. Beth Murphy, O.P.

DOMINICAN LITURGICAL CALENDAR

January 2003

1 Mary, Mother of God (S), Hours Week I

3- Bl. Stephana Quinzani, religious

4- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious (M)

5- The Epiphany of the Lord (S),Hours Week II

7- St. Raymond of Penyafort, priest (M)

10- Bl. Gonsalvo of Amarante, priest

- Bl. Ann of the Angels Monteagudo, religious

11- Bl. Bernard Scammacca, priest

12- Baptism of the Lord (F),Hours Week I

18- St. Margaret of Hungary, religious (M)

19- 2^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Hours Week II

22- Bl. Anthony Della Chiesa, priest

23- Bl. Henry Suso, priest

26- 3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Hours Week III

28- St. Thomas Aquinas, priest/doctor (F)

29- Bl. Villana de’ Botti, lay Dominican

February 2003

2- The Presentation of the Lord (F),Hours Week IV

4- St. Catherine de’ Ricci, virgin (M)

7- Anniversary of Deceased Parents*

9- 5^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Hours Week I

12- Bl. Reginald of Orleans, priest (OM)

13- Bl. Jordan of Saxony (M)

16- 6^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Hours Week II

18- Bl. John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico), priest (OM)

19- Bl. Alvarez of Cordoba, priest

20- Bl. Christopher of Milan, priest

23- 7^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Hours Week III

March 2003

2- 8^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Hours Week IV

5-Ash Wednesday

9- 1^st Sunday of Lent, Hours Week I

16-2^nd Sunday of Lent, Hours Week II

19- St. Joseph (S)

23-3^rd Sunday of Lent, Hours Week III

25-The Annunciation of the Lord (S)

30-4^th Sunday of Lent, Hours Week IV

April 2003

5- St. Vincent Ferrer, priest (M)

6-5^th Sunday of Lent, Hours Week I

10- Bl. Anthony Neyrot, priest/martyr

13- Palm Sunday, Hours Week II

17- Holy Thursday

18- Good Friday

19- Holy Saturday

20- Easter Sunday (S),Hours Week I

27- 2^nd Sunday of Easter, Hours Week II

29- St. Catherine of Siena, lay Dominican/ doctor (F)

30- St. Pius V, pope (M)

May 2003

4- 3^rd Sunday of Easter, Hours Week III

5- St. Vincent Ferrer, priest (M)

(S) Solemnity (F) Feast

(M) Memorial (OM) Optional Memorial

* Office for the Dead is prayed

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FUND DRIVE CONTRIBUTIONS

Paul F. Bisanz; Thurlow Caffey; Mary Jean Cauley; Mary Ruth Cullicott; Robert and Joan Engel; Catherine Heinz; Marion Keegan; Marymargaret Sauer; Thomas Smith; Walter O. Stadelman; James Steffens; and eight anonymous donors.

If you are interested in supporting our Province’s Dominican Laity work for your benefit, additional contributions may be directed to:

Dominican Laity Office; P. O. Box 085451; Racine, WI 53408-5451.

2003 PROVINCIAL DUES NOTICE

My Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The start of the new calendar year marks the beginning of our annual collection of provincial membership dues for 2003. We are synchronizing our provincial dues collection with the beginning of the new year to eliminate confusion about when to collect dues.

Fund Drive contributions and provincial membership dues finance our operating budget. Yes, we need and appreciate your dues payment to support our work that benefits you. Individual dues of $30 or $40 for families are apportioned with $5 for the Challenge subscription, $5 for the Dominican Laity Provincial Council meeting, and the remainder for the dues account.

Thank you, chapter treasurers, for your invaluable assistance in the collection of provincial dues from your respective active members. A chapter check or individual personal checks payable to DOMINICAN LAITY are to be remitted 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

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Thank you for your 2003 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_______________________________________________________

Editor’s P. S. One of the issues to come out of the Dominican Laity Provincial Council meeting in October 2002 was the importance of your input in helping this quarterly newsletter successfully serve our chapter and private members. I invite you to consider putting pen to paper and writing three or four sentences about a fellow chapter member’s past or current history of service, your chapter’s current study book, or how being a Dominican has impacted your presence at work or in your parish? You have repeatedly told me that you enjoy staying connected to the rest of the Dominican Family through the newsletter. How has the Dominican Laity changed your life? I would love to hear about it! Please write to me at my address below. Thank you in advance.

In the meantime, enjoy our special insert on hope. The wisdom of our former Prior Provincial of the Central Province, Fr. Don Goergen, OP, will engage your imagination.

Here’s to a hope-filled 2003,

Mary Lee

May each Christmas as it comes, find us more like Him

who became a child for our sake:

More simple, more humble

More affectionate, more happy

More full of God.

--John Cardinal Newman

Blessings and Christmas Peacefulness,

Ruth