| Fall 1999 | Volume 41, 2 |
Spiritual Reflections
with Father Dick de Ranitz, O.P.
As my retreat ministry grows, I submit this last article to Challenge as Provincial Promoter of the Dominican Laity. First, I want to extend a big WELCOME to Fr. Tom Johnston, O.P. , who is the new Laity Promoter. Fr. Tom is a dedicated Dominican and will contribute much to the growth of am family. Secondly, some of the retreats I am scheduled to give are for the Dominican Laity, so I shall be looking forward to seeing more of you!
At this rime, there is a reflection I would like to share with you. One way we can describe all of life is by two words; "hello and "goodby" Have you noticed? No matter who or what we encounter in this life, there is a hello time and a time to say good-by An ancient sage once said, "Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make peace with that and all will be well."
Perhaps it is easier for us to "make peace"with this reality because we know our entire life-drama is played out in the loving presence of God. And the loving presence of God is the one thing that never requires a good-by. God is the ground of our being. So lot us live our lives well; helping, encouraging, loving. May each moment we live be a blessing for us and those who meet us.
It is a pleasure to write this first letter to you as the recently appointed Provincial Promoter of the Dominican Laity.
I left Detroit in early June for five weeks of study in Germany. I left as Friar delegates gathered in Chicago to celebrate our Provincial Chapter. Much advanced planning and organization resulted in an efficient and brief Chapter. Decisions on the internal life of our Dominican Communities and the promotion of our varied ministries will influence and shape the life of nor Province for the next four years.
It was an the evening of July 8 -- at a few hours after I returned to Detroit -- that I was browsing through my personal mail. I was curious of the contents in an envelope sent from the Office of the Provincial. Several individual letters were enclosed, and there were many signatures on each of the letters. I received three appointments in the same envelope: Promoter of the Dominican Laity, Promoter of Causes [of Dominican Beatifications. end Canonizations], and Director of Dominican Confraternities.
Some of you have already had the opportunity of meeting me either in St. Louis, Chicago, or Detroit. Since most of you have never heard of me, I think a brief biography and curriculum vitae would be valued by the readers of this column.
In late August, I celebrated my 44th birthday. I was born on the South Side of Chicago; the only boy and the eldest of six children. My father was self-employed as a Heating and Cooling Serviceman. My mother was occupied as a housewife, but later creatively exercised her many talents in art, fashion merchandising, weight reduction classes, and catering.
Except for secondary school, all of my education was at Catholic schools. I attended Loyola University receiving two degrees: in psychology and religious education. A few years after college, I entered the Dominican Novitiate (1980). After additional schooling at Aquinas Institute, I earned other professional and advanced theological degrees, and was ordained a priest (1986).
Since my teen years, I have worked a variety of jobs and gained broad experience: manager of a race track commissary, hospital orderly, college campus ministry assistant, graduate research assistant, parish Director of Religious Education, diocesan Vicariate Coordinator of Religious Education, Associate Pastor, Campus Minister, diocesan Director of an Office for Worship, Defender of the Matrimonial Bond, Secretary General of our international Dominican Order, and as Pastor.
Recently, I was granted time for a personal sabbatical. When completed, I will be available to the Provincial lay Leadership Team, and I will make myself available to meet your diverse needs. Fr. Richard de Ranitz will continue to serve the Dominican Laity with his well-loved retreats and spiritual direction.
Throughout my Dominican life, I have always felt a 'closeness' to the Dominican Laity. Even as a Student Brother in St. Louis, I was appointed to be the Community Representative to the local Laity chapter. During that time, I wrote and published a couple of articles on the emergence and government of Laity Fraternities. Although I come with many ideas, experience has taught me that ideas can mature and bear fruit only when they are developed through dialogue with many people,
A number of you will be interested in our Confraternities, especially those of the Holy Rosary. I also plan to keep you informed of the progress of causes of beatifications and canonizations, All of these pastoral works will require that I visit each of the local fraternities and be in dialogue with our Communities of friars.
Let us pledge to be united in prayer that God's Spirit may create something worthy of our blessed time together!
Fraternally,
Ft. Thomas J. Johnston, OP
Dominican Artists Gather
"We're young and big and exploding.- Exploding in size, that is, but Armando Ibanez, President of the Dominican Institute for the Arts, might just have been describing the enthusiasm at the Institute's national gathering on August 16-20. The third annual event took place at the motherhouse of the Sinsinawa, WI, Dominican sisters.
In the summer of 1997, 22 Dominican women and men gathered informally in Oakland, CA, to encourage one another in their vocations as artists. Now the roster of the DIA includes over 100 sisters, nuns, laypersons, and friars from the Dominican Family. The DIA's purpose is to re-vive the Dominicans' traditional commitment to using the arts in carrying out its preaching mission.
Seventy Dominican painters, dancers, filmmakers, poets, actors, composers, photographers, and other artists were in Sinsinawa to hear the keynote address delivered by Sinsinawa Dominican Ann Willits. Willits is the director of PARABLE, a Dominican preaching organization that, like the DIA, brings together men and women from various congregations and provinces. The reason why every community needs an artist is the very same reason why every community needs a preacher," Willits asserted "The community doesn't always know its heart. Willits quoted her Quaker father's anticipation of her Dominican vocation as a preacher and wrote, "Never fast from goodness or truth, and never abstain from art."
The artists spent the week sharing their work with one another through master classes, performances, and displays, including an exhibit of 28 artists' works designed especially to celebrate the conference's millennial theme, "Prelude to Jubilee." The artists also continued to discuss the role of the artist in the Dominican Order. A panel of Dominican artists, encouraged by Pope John Paul II's recent "Letter to Artists," echoed the experiences of many who have found both support and discouragement from their communities. The panel was made up of composers and performers James Marchionda of the Central Province and Amy McFredrick of Great Bend, along with church designer Stephens Toomey of Franklin Park, IL.
Toomey was honored during the week's climactic celebration of the Eucharist. The noted artist was given the DIA's 1999 Fra Angelico Award for Excellence in Art, a lifetime achievement award. Sr. Stephana Toomey was recognized for her outstanding and important work in church design and a variety of visual media, including glass and murals. The surprised artist accepted the award by saying, "We're all called to share this vision, to lift the curtain of the tent so that the young people cars also join us."
DIA is preparing dictionaries of historic and contemporary Dominican artists, as well as a catalog making available current Dominican artists' works and performances. The Institute is also seeking funding through grants and other donations, so that they can lead financial support to Dominican artists.
The artists recognized that their organization's third year will be important for their future, but with DIAs momentum, it is hard to imagine anything less than more at next August's gathering in Adrian, MI. For further information, contact Armando Ibanez (323-463-6488, pluma@earthlink.net) or Dominic De Lay (520-327-6662). [from Christ in the World!, volume 11, issue 2, Western Province Dominican Laity newsletter]
We have had the privilege of having Fr. Richard de Ranitz, OP as our Promoter for the Laity since Br. Regis' term expired December 31, 1997. On behalf of the Dominican Laity, we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to Fr. Dick for quietly and gently empowering us to be leaders and to find our rightful place in the Order and in the Church. Fr. Dick will continue to be available to the Laity for retreats and spiritual direction.
As we say our good-byes to Fr. Dick, me warmly welcome Fr. Tom Johnston, OP as out now Dominican Laity Provincial Promoter. He is currently living at the Provincial House in Chicago as he makes preparations for an upcoming sabbatical. In his past years of ministry, he has promoted the Laity.
At the just-completed Dominican Laity Provincial Council meeting in St. Louis, the delegates affirmed Fr. Tom's appointment. We look forward to a good working relationship with him.
Our prayers are with both Fr. Dick and Fr. Tom as they begin their new ministries.
Yours in Saints Dominic and Catherine,
Candace Randolph, OP
As reported in the July-September, 1999 issue of Dominican Life, the Very Reverend Edward M. Ruane, OP was reelected Provincial at the Fifteenth Provincial Chapter of the Province of St. Albert the Great, U.S.A., which began on June 3. "A provincial chapter is a deliberative and elective body of delegates which convenes every four years to elect a Provincial and establish ministry policies and goals for the next four years. This is true of every Dominican Province in the world." We offer our prayers for the Provincial and new Province leaders and our continued support of our Order's preaching ministry.
"For the past 21 years, Al Barone has handled all the arrangements for the [Eastern Province Dominican Laity] publication, Torch-lites. Al volunteered to do this work... and has been faithful to the editorship of our quarterly publication with the able assistance of his dear wife, Rena. Together, they have made a great team and have done a wonderful job with the details of each issue...," writes Fr. Joseph Allen, OP, Eastern Provincial Promoter of the Laity.
"This past July 3, Rena returned to her Lord following a very difficult and painful death .... I ask that you remember Rena in your Messes and prayers and her loving and devoted husband during this difficult period in his life."
And minutes and activity descriptions and biographies and obituaries! An expanded
"Happenings in the Chapters" is the result of your graciously keeping me informed!
Some chapters send me a copy of their meeting report form, which I can use. Please
send information to:
Mary Lee Odders, OP,
Editor P. O. Box 85451
Racine, WI 53408-5451
- ALBUQUERQUE, NM NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LAS MONTAÑAS (OUR LADY OF THE MOUNTAINS)
- Receptions: Kay Ellen Fisher, Beverly Israel, Gloria Sotelo, and Patricia Zavadil on Sept. 19, 1999
- First Profession: Anne Kelly on September 19, 1999
- Deceased: Felicitas Torres Trujillo on February 23, 1999
- Having completed a study of the Psalms, they began a Sept. study of the "Letter of His
Holiness Pope John Paul II to Artists."
- BAY CITY, MI BL. JOHN DOMINICI CHAPTER
- Sick: Louann Adcock's mother
- DENVER, CO ST. DOMINIC CHAPTER
- Deceased: Pauline LaCorte in July, 1999
- On August 27-29, this chapter hold a retreat at Mother Cabrini shrine near Golden, CO. Retreat master Fr. Dennis Zusy focused on the Pillars of Dominican Life: prayer, study, and preaching in the context of the question, "What can each of us bring to the Mission of the Order?"
- Congratulations: Steve Smith on being elected Interprovincial Council Delegate
- DUBUQUE, IA ST. ROSE OF LIMA CHAPTER
- On August 20, the chapter made a pilgrimage to Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli's church at New Diggings and his church, house, and grave at Benton, WI.
- Their October 2 and 3 retreat was at Sinsinswa Mound, Sinsinawa, WI.
- FARMINGTON HILLS, MI BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPTER
- Sick: Marie Gannon and Barbara Norton
- Deceased: Georgina McDermit on March 8, 1999
- In August, video of the Sept. 1998 sermon on "Human Rights" by Friar Antonio de Montesinos was shown, with Cindy Ryan (Formation Director Initiate) leading discussion. Terry McSweeney (Formation Director Ongoing) led the study from "The Dominican Family" by Sr. M. McGreal, OP. The Sept. study is "The Psalms."
- On the feast of St. Dominic, twelve members and three guests attended 7:00 a.m. Mass
with the sisters, during which Fr. McCormik, OP recognized the Dominican Laity.
Afterward, as the sisters' guests at a light breakfast, members introduced themselves
The Laity joined the sisters in the chapel at 9:00 a.m to pray Morning Prayer. "It truly
was a happy feast day to be with family," writes Christine Keeley, Secretary.
- GRAND RAPIDS, MI OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CHAPTER
- Sick: Virginia Vipond
- Deceased: Therese M. Burns on June 21, 1999
- MILWAUKEE, WI QUEEN OF THE ROSARY CHAPTER
- Sick: Bernice Strasser; Joe Gates' wife, Joan, and sister-in-law, Mary Jean
- "The Mystery of God," a three-part video tape series, will he used as the study program for the October, November, and December meetings. Accompanied by an aggressive advertising campaign, the study will also be aimed at recruiting new chapter members.
- Deacon Joe Gates is writing a newsletter Our Faith for the incarcerated men he visits. Dominican articles along with the daily and Sunday scripture references help them to
feel connected to the Church on a daily basis.
- MINNEAPOLIS, MN HOLY ROSARY CHAPTER
- Sick: Frances Byrne's son-in-law
- Deceased: Lydia Kolhoff
- Retreat master Fr. Richard de Ranitz OP led the chapter's annual retreat for 24 people on August 13-15 at the Franciscan Retreat House in Prior Lake, MN. The theme was "Exploring Spirituality."
- Congratulations: Florence Walker, Vice Moderator, John Reiss, Area Provincial
Council Representative, with Rose Guerrero, First Alternate; Evelyn Kelly Initiate I
Formation Director, and Anna-Marie Byrne, Candidacy I and II Formation Director and
Liturgist.
- RIVER FOREST, IL ST. VINCENT FERRER CHAPTER
- Sick: Bill Hureau; Jill O'Brien's sister, Judith
- ROCKFORD, IL ST. PETER MARTYR CHAPTER
- Having completed a study of "The Creed," they will begin a three-month study of the
"Our Father."
- ST. LOUIS, MO QUEEN OF THE ROSARY CHAPTER
- Congratulations: Joseph Komadina, newly elected moderator of the chapter, and other officers elected on June 6, 1999
- SPRINGFIELD, IL OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART CHAPTER
- On August 6 and 7, they were guests of the Springfield Dominican Sisters at their
Motherhouse celebrating 125 years of ministry. Throughout that time, the chapter has
been the recipient of the sisters' spiritual direction and gracious hospitality. With great
joy everyone together honored Father Dominic and celebrated the anniversary with a
view toward ministry in the new millennium.
This year's study program is the New Catechism of the Catholic Church. - OUR PRIVATE MEMBERS
- Sick: Florence Adams, Ramsey, MN
- Deceased: Kathryn Jansen, St. Paul, MN; Helen Madden, Minneapolis, MN; and
Geraldine Weber's husband, Chicago, IL
- PRAYERS REQUESTED:
- For Fr Dick de Ranitz, OP's step-mother, Joyce, who died on July 28, 1999
- For the repose of the souls of our recently decreased members
- For Rena Barone, wife of Al Barone, editor of the Eastern Province newsletter, who died on July 3, 1999
- For a return to health for Bro. Regis Hovald, OP and Fr. Richard Trutter, OP
- For a spiritual renewal of our new Promoter, Fr. Tom Johnston, OP during his sabbatical
- In thanksgiving for the spiritual guidance afforded by our past Promoter, Fr. Dick de Ranitz, OP
- For Scott Crutchfield with a brain tumor
- For Patricia Zavadil and mother-in-law Elizabeth Zavadil on the death of daughter, Connie (Patricia's sister-in law)
- For Kay Fisher and husband home-schooling their 14 y/o grandson
- For Ruth Ann Jacobsen with a malignant brain tumor
- In thanksgiving by Helen Fisher for God's protection while traveling
- For Winifred Dahle's family in their grief
- For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and the religious life
- For an increase in the Dominican Laity membership
JoAnn Bayer, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapter, Springfield, IL, writes, "With warm Dominican hospitality, the Springfield, IL Sisters of St. Dominic welcomed priests, sisters, brothers, laity, associates, employees, and friends to the closing of their 125th Anniversary celebration. The year-long theme was "Gifts Poured Out for Others."
"In the chapel under the watchful gaze of the statues of Dominic and Catherine and the shimmering mosaic of the saints of the Order, we celebrated a Mass together. Later, during Morning Prayer, the song, 'River of Glory,' swept us along during the narrative of the pioneers. Six clay pitchers reminded us of their strong commitment to be poured out for the Gospel."
"The banner's words of compassion, justice, preaching, joy, hospitality, and truth were expanded upon by Joan Scanlon and Fr. Jesse Cox He listed old and new covenant people, who in the eyes of the world should not have been called to preach, but did so by the grace of God. The multimedia presentation of the history of the Springfield Dominicans was both entertaining and profound."
Theresa Margaret Burns died in her home on June 21 at the age of 94. She was a member of Rosary Chapter of Grand Rapids, MI.
She attended Mercy Central School of Nursing class of 1926 at Grand Rapids St. Mary's Hospital. She did some Private Duty Nursing, then went to work as a Community Health Nurse for the City of Grand Rapids. She later was Head Nurse of the Medical Unit at Kent County Community Hospital, from which she retired in 1969. She was received into the Rosary Chapter of the Dominican Laity and professed in 1955.
Eleven members of the Rosary Chapter along with six nurses in uniform were Honor Guards for her casket entering and leaving the church. Mass was celebrated by Fr. James Chelick, Pastor of St. Thomas Church, with concelebrants, Fr. Rock Badyerow, Pastor of St. Agnes Church, Madison, MI and Sacred Heart Parish, Evert, MI; Fr. Tad J. Burck, S.J., Professor of Physics and Dean of Graduate School, Marquette University; Fr. James E. Fitzgerald, S.J., Sr. Advancement Officer, Marquette University; Fr. John J. Peridot, S.J., President of Loyola University; Fr. Julian Reginato, Pastor Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Grand Rapids, MI.
Felicitas Torres Trujillo, O.P. of Albuquerque, NM passed away on February 23, 1999. She had been a private member of the Dominican Laity for 39 years. She was 94 years of age. Her family buried her in her Dominican habit, as she had requested. She was survived by eight children, 39 grandchildren, 89 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Trujillo was a woman who had strong faith, love for her family, belief in giving to others, and loyalty to her Dominican vows, She had most recently been a private member of the order, living with her daughter, Benigna Gallegos, in her family home. She had great devotion to the rosary and prayed many in any given day.
She has left an indelible legacy of love and faith with her family and those who knew her.
Marie McIlrath
Private member Marie McIlrath of Neosho, MO writes, "I just thought you might wonder about us to whom you send the paper. Being a private Laity makes a big difference and that is why your publication is really important -- so we can keep in touch. I professed back about thirty-some years ago. I am confused about whether the Laity simply uses OP now?""I endeavor to go to daily Mass, work in the church, am Pro-Life Chairman for 10 years, work Crosslines when I can, visit the sick and those in hospitals or nursing homes. I have four children, seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren ...."
"I am a writer-but there's not much fiction in today's world. My pen name is Pat Wayne. I still sell some fiction for children."
[Ed. Note: Yes, Dominican Laity now use the initials O.P. (Order of Preachers), instead of the former O.P.L.]
James J. Steffens
At Denver's St. Dominic's Church on Tuesday, May 25, 1999, I, James J. Steffens, renewed my profession and celebrated 40 years as a Professed Lay Dominican, as was witnessed by Rita Stoll, OP, Moderator, Fr. Denis Zusy, OP, Prior, and Dolly Suazo, OP, St. Dominic Chapter Formation Director.I was born on August 20,1940 at Mercy Hospital, Dubuque, Iowa and was baptized at St. Columbkille's Church. Both originally from MN, my farther was Dr. Lincoln F. Steffens, an Ophthalmologist, and my mother was Angilina Pagnucco Steffens, a former music teacher They are now deceased.
In Dubuque, I attended St. Patrick's Grade School and Nativity Grade School graduating in June 1954. My First Communion was on May 2, 1948 at St. Patrick's, with my Confirmation in 1950 at Nativity Church. Attending Washington Junior High and Dubuque Senior High School, I graduated June 5, 1958.
I first encountered the Dominican Order in Dubuque, during the building of St. Rose Priory on land that a high school friend and I crossed on our way to hunting and fishing areas west of Dubuque. While snooping inside the nearly completed priory, we were caught by the prior. Instead of being scolded, we were treated very warmly as he explained for what the priory would be used.
I returned to the priory shortly after it was occupied and met Louis Bertrand Kroeger, OP, a student brother. He explained the Dominican Order to me and instilled an interest in the religious life. Informing my parents that I wanted to join the Order while still a high school senior, my mother as a very strong Italian Catholic was in favor of the idea, while my Methodist father said I should first get an education. The Friars suggested the Third Order to me. I had wanted to enter to become a lay Brother.
My father did not object to my joining the Third Order. Just before my high school graduation, I was received as a Private Tertiary at St. Rose Priory in May, 1958, taking the religious name of Bertrand. To my knowledge, there was no lay chapter in Dubuque at that time.
On May 25, 1959, while enrolled in nursing school in Chicago, I was professed by Reginald Masterson, OP at St. Pius Church. I was not able to join a chapter as my nursing school schedule was prohibitive.
Following my 1962 graduation from South Chicago Community Hospital School of Nursing and three years at St. John's Hospital School of Anesthesia for Nurses, where I was recruited bythe US Air Force Nurse Corps and commissioned as a 1st Lt.. Upon graduation and assignment to the Anesthesia Dept. of George Air Force Base (AFB), CA, I attended the Flight Nurse Course at Brooks AFB, San Antonio, TX receiving my flight nurse wings on July 7,1967.
I received orders assigning me to the 903rd Aero Evac Squadron at Tan Son Nhut AB in Saigon, Vietnam. I arrived January 8, 1968 after spending one week at the Clark AB Jungle Survival Course in the Philippines. While in Vietnam, I flew Aerovac missions during the Tet Offensive of 1968 and spent five days at Khe Sanh during that conflict. At mostly my request, in March, 1968, I was reassigned to the 2e Casualty Staging Facility at Cam Ranh Bay caring for patients to be shipped out of Vietnam.
Returning to the USA on January 8, 1969, I had anesthesiology assignments at Scott, McConnell, and Launglin AFB's. I left the Air Force in September, 1972 to take a position as a Nurse-Anesthetist at Kaiser-Permanente in Hollywood, CA. Beginning in April, 1975, I worked at Los Angeles Co.-USC Medical Center's Dept. of Anesthesiology, retiring in August of 1995.
I received my BA from Pepperdine University, Los Angeles in 1976 and MS in Management form Chadwick University, Birmingham, AL in 1995.
While in Los Angeles, I attempted to join the Lay Dominican Chapter at St. Dominic's in Eagle Rock, but my work and Reserve duties kept me from chapter meetings. In May, 1974, I joined the National Guard/Army reserves and retired on April 21, 1991 at the rank of Lt. Colonel.
It was finally in 1993 that I was able to join a Lay Dominican chapter and remained active until my move to Denver, CO in Oct., 1995. Since that time, I have been active in St. Dominic's Chapter and have served on occasion as assistant moderator.
I returned to work part time in June, 1998 as a staff RN with the Denver Health Advice Nurse Line, working there 15-20 hours weekly. Since May, 1996, I have been a volunteer RN with HEALTH S.E.T. Ministries in Denver, working Mondays at St. Francis Center Shelter as a clinic nurse to the homeless and also several days a month at their health screening clinics. I am a member of their Board of Trustees and program committee.
Lay Dominican Chapter of
Dear Sisters and Brothers in St. Dominic. Greetings from the Dominican Laity office at Santa Sabina in Rome! I write to congratulate you on the re-establishment of the Dominican Lay Chapter in Albuquerque, under the patronage of Nuestra Señora de In Montañas. At the same time, I want to personally welcome to our Dominican Family those who are making profession and being received into the chapter. Anne Kelly, Kay Fisher; Gloria Sotelo; Patricia Zavadil; and Beverly Israel. I am sure congratulations are also due many others who have fostered the spirit of St. Dominic among you during these past years, especially the previously professed Dominican laity, the Dominican friars and sisters in the Albuquerque area, and all your family and friends. Thank God for all of you! I cannot emphasize enough the importance of communicating the Word of God together as a lay fraternity, in every way that you can, with all the skills and resources with which you have been blessed, and in collaboration with the whole Dominican Family. Our Dominican vocation is fulfilled in the company of other preachers, whereby together we announce the presence and grace of God in our world today. Our Dominican Family needs you and welcomes you wholeheartedly. Although Timothy Radcliffe, OP, the Master of the Order, is out of town visiting the Dominicans in another country, he will surely rejoice at this good news when he returns, and together we will keep you in our prayers. Extending to each of you our customary Dominican "abrazo". Your brother in St. Dominic,
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St. Albert Province is available online at:
http://www.op.org/domcentral/life/00ordo.htm
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Jubilee 2000 Logo |  |
As we approach the beginning of Jubilee 2000, here is the explanation of the symbol's elements as taken from the Jubilee 2000 web site http://www.jubil2000.org/pre_index.uk.html This web site is linked to the Vatican web site.
The symbol represents the universality of the Christian message. In the circular, blue field is inserted the cross, which sustains humanity gathered In the five continents. A dove represents each continent.
The blue field symbofizes the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God, who became Man through the work of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The light radiating from the center of the cross indicates Christ, the Light of the world, as the only Savior of mankind, "yesterday, today and always."
The interlocking doves signify the unity and brotherhood for which the children of God are longing. The vivid and harmonious colors recall joy and peace as desirable gifts of the celebration of the Jubilee 2000.
| October 4, 1999
Dear Fellow Dominican Laity Member, We have all been the grateful recipients of the quiet work of a true serving heart. A Laity member has faithfully given of her own time to maintain our Dominican Laity office in River Forest. However, the time has now come to hire a part-time secretary to handle our office matters. In addition, we need to replace our very outdated Laity office computer. In the Dominican spirit, we now appeal to your serving hearts. We are not asking you to volunteer your time, but rather to help us cover these necessary operational costs. Could you find It in your heart to take this opportunity to help the Laity office? Please make your check payable to Dominican Laity. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this pressing need. Donor names will be featured in the next edition of the Challenge. Yours in Saints Dominic and Catherine,
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GLORIOUS GOD,
cast Your light
into the darkness of my heart.
Give me right faith,
firm hope,
perfect charity
and profound humility,
with wisdom
and perception,
O Lord,
so that I may do
what is truly
Your will.
Amen
Rena Barone's prayer
from St. Francis of Assisi's Prayer for Guidance
| BACK |
Mary Lee Odders OP Editor
P O Box 85451
Racine WI 53408-5451
E-mail: mailto:oplaity@mac.domcentral.org