What's Happening

December 7, 2022 – Adrian Dominican Sister Xiomara Méndez-Hernández, OP, has been named the new Executive Director of the Dominican Sisters Conference (DSC), an organization that “unites the Sisters and Associates of U.S. Dominican Congregations in their mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus, standing as a clear voice for truth, justice, and peace.” The announcement came December 6, 2022, from outgoing Executive Director Mary Ellen O’Grady, OP, a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa (Wisconsin). The full press release follows.

Dominican Sisters Conference Names New Executive Director

The Executive Committee of the Dominican Sisters Conference (DSC) is pleased to announce its selection of Xiomara Méndez-Hernández, OP, as its new Executive Director. She will take the place of Mary Ellen O’Grady, OP (Sinsinawa) who completes just under three years of excellent service to the DSC.

A Dominican Sister of Adrian for 14 years, Sister Xiomara has extensive experience with the first core team of the 55 and under cohort, Dominican Women Afire!, and she served two years as board President of Giving Voice, a peer led organization that creates spaces for younger women religious to give voice to their hopes, dreams, and challenges in religious life.

“I am delighted that the DSC will be led by such a passionate and committed Dominican woman as Xiomara, who brings a younger new perspective to our Conference,” said Anne Lythgoe, OP (Peace), President of the DSC. “Xiomara possesses a deeply reflective spirit, intelligence and most importantly, the collaborative style of relating that draws out the best in others. I sense we are about to move into a transformative time in the history of the DSC.”

Sister Xiomara currently serves as the Interim Manager of the Spiritual Care Department of Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She has held similar chaplaincy positions since 2015. She has participated in the Collaborative Leadership Development Program and the Gamaliel National Leadership program on community organizing, among other similar programs. She holds a master’s degree from Catholic Theological Union in pastoral studies. 

Sister Xiomara comes to the role of Executive Director with cultural and international sensitivity, and a faith in the transformational power of inclusion and diversity. We welcome Sister Xiomara to this position and we hold her in our prayers for success at this very exciting time for the Dominican Sisters Conference.
 

November 28, 2022, Washington, D.C. – Sister Donna Markham, OP, PhD, addressed members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) during its annual assembly on November 15, 2022, for a final time as President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA). The first female to head CCUSA, Sister Donna announced recently that she will retire next year.

CCUSA is a network of agencies through the United States that address the needs of vulnerable people. Sister Donna told the U.S. Bishops that her goal was to "help this ministry become more financially stable and nimble as the entire Catholic Charities network responds to increasing demands to care for growing numbers of disaster victims, migrants, homeless folks, hungry people, mentally ill, addicted people, and families and children in precarious socio-economic situations."

Sister Donna, Prioress of the Adrian Dominican Congregation from 2004 to 2010, spoke not only of the needs of people throughout the United States and in territories such as Puerto Rico, but of the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations in helping CCUSA agencies meet those needs. 

"It’s important for you to tell the story of the Catholic Church’s response in this country to people who reside along the margins of our society, the very most fragile, the most vulnerable – to be able to say this is where our Church puts the Gospel into action," Sister Donna said. "It’s where Matthew 25 comes alive palpably every day across the entire country."

Watch the video of Sister Donna’s address.