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May 6, 2016, Wilmette, Illinois – Dominican Week at Regina Dominican High School culminated with a liturgy in honor of St. Catherine of Siena. The liturgy concluded with a reflection by Dominican preacher Diane Kraemer on women in the Church and the presentation of the Regina Dominican Veritas Award to Ms. Patricia McDonell, Assistant Principal and Academic Dean.
The award was established to commemorate the 800th Jubilee of the Order of Preachers. The faculty and staff nominated a colleague who, like St. Dominic and St. Catherine, exemplifies a commitment to preach the Gospel message boldly and with veracity embrace and encourage a life of service to others.
Sister Jean Williams, OP, the Director of Mission Integration, shared comments from those who nominated Ms. McDonell. She was recommended her for her daily interaction with students, faculty, staff, and parents. As an outstanding role model for the students, she was acknowledged for demonstrating respect for others, showing compassion, and nurturing students, faculty, and staff in all her interactions. It was noted that her commitment and integrity add so much to the school community.
Outside of her work at Regina Dominican, Ms. McDonell is a long-time volunteer at Misericordia, a Chicago-based residential care center that helps people with developmental disabilities to live as independently as they can. Ms. McDonell also assists a friend who is homebound, affirming her human dignity and making sure she feels valued. She truly embodies Veritas and Caritas.
Sister Mary Margaret Pachucki, OP, President, and Ms. Meg Bigane, Principal, presented Ms. McDonell with the Veritas pin, a certificate, books on Saints Dominic and Catherine of Siena, and a school gift. Ms. Patricia McDonell will be the first name on the Regina Dominican Veritas Award Perpetual Plaque in the chapel.
Feature photo: From left, Ms. Meg Bigane, Sister Mary Margaret Pachucki, Ms. Patricia McDonell, and Sister Jean Williams
Article Submitted by Regina Dominican High School
March 4, 2016, Adrian, Michigan – The Adrian Dominican Sisters, during Session II of their General Chapter, held February 18-26, 2016, elected new leaders and set their direction for the next six years.
Session II began on February 18 with an opening ritual and the calling of the delegates. Sister Attracta Kelly, Prioress, gave the opening address, offering encouragement to the delegates as they began their work together. “With open, strong, clear and full hearts, we can help each other grow into our highest aspirations if we encourage each other to understand that the tension between what is and what could and should be is not to be feared but to be embraced as a source of vital energy for new life.”
The delegates also heard from Dr. Mary E. Hunt, PhD, founder of Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER), who spoke on “Cosmic Catholicism: A New Calling for a New Order,” and from Jim Haudan, CEO of Root, Inc., who in a recorded interview spoke on catalyzing change.
On the evening of the first day, the delegates gathered for the Mass of the Holy Spirit, asking the Spirit to guide them in their deliberations and elections. The Most Rev. Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing, presided.
The 199 delegates approved four enactments to set the Congregation’s overall ministerial direction for the next six years. The 2016-2022 enactments focus on responding to …
The delegates then elected a Prioress and General Council to lead the Sisters and Associates to live out the enactments. The newly elected Prioress (president) and General Council, who will formally take office on July 1, 2016, are:
The incoming Prioress and General Council will succeed Sister Attracta Kelly, OP, Prioress of the Congregation; Sister Tarianne DeYonker, OP, Vicaress/General Councilor; Sister Kathleen Schanz, OP, General Councilor; Sister Corinne Sanders, OP, Administrator/General Councilor; and Sister Rosemary Abramovich, OP, General Councilor.
The packed schedule of Session II also allowed time for delegates to gather informally over meals and breaks. In addition to daily Eucharistic Liturgies, at which one of their Dominican Brothers presided and one of the delegates offered a reflection on the Scriptures, the delegates gathered for socials and dances. Composer and singer Sara Thomsen, whose music was incorporated into many of the Chapter’s prayers and rituals, gave a special concert on the evening of February 23. A highlight of the Chapter was a Sunday Liturgy on February 21 celebrating the 800th anniversary of the Dominican Order, the Order of Preachers, with preaching by Congregation historian and former Prioress, Sister Nadine Foley, OP.