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March 4, 2026, Miami, Florida – Two Adrian Dominican Sisters – themselves immigrants from Latin America and naturalized U.S. citizens – were among a group of Catholics and other people of goodwill participating in late January 2026 in a Mass, procession, and prayer service in Miami in solidarity with their immigrant sisters and brothers. Participants attended Mass at Gesú Church and processed to the Immigration Court to attend the prayer service. The service included testimony from people affected by the recent efforts to deport immigrants.
The event was sponsored by Barry University, founded by the Adrian Dominican Sisters; Gesú Church; the Instituto Jesuita Pedro Arrupe, and Catholic Legal Services of the Archdiocese of Miami.
“I think that because I’m a Latina who came to this country [from the Dominican Republic] 18 years ago, what happens with immigration is close to my heart,” said Sister Xiomara Méndez-Hernández, OP. “I’ve had to be intentional about being a presence where I can.”
Sister Marilín Llanes, OP, came to the United States from Cuba with her parents at the age of 6. “I came at a time in the early ’70s when this country welcomed immigrants, especially from Cuba,” she said. “I am very sad and appalled at the lack of respect and welcome to immigrants today.”
Sister Marilín noted that in the past year in Miami – a city where more than 60% to 70% of the population is Latino – the amount of public outrage against the treatment of immigrants has been sparse. But the January event drew a crowd of about 200 citizens and residents united in their concern for the immigrants.
Sisters Xiomara and Marilín were not sure what to expect during the event. “We were prepared for the best and for the worst,” Sister Xiomara said. “We had Plan A, B, and C. We sat in a strategic place where we could see the exit.” They also stayed together throughout the event for their safety and brought their passports to verify their U.S. citizenship. Sister Xiomara said she was nervous in attending the event, which took place shortly after the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. But, she added, “we didn’t want fear to stop us from being a presence.”
They were pleased by the sense of unity among the participants. “There wasn’t any altercation, any agitation,” Sister Marilín said. “It was very peaceful.” The police escorted them during the procession and protected them as they headed back to their car, she added. “We felt like we had bodyguards.”
Sister Xiomara said the presence and the attitude of the police transformed the event for her. “I was telling the police, thank you, and they were so appreciative,” she recalled. “They said, ‘We’re honored to serve you.’ That changed the tune. The way we reverenced them – everybody was so respectful and so grateful to the police.”
Sisters Marilín and Xiomara said they are always watching out for opportunities to stand with the immigrants and to be a presence to them and hope to attend a monthly ecumenical prayer service in nearby Broward County. “It’s being a presence but also reaching out to our legislators, voicing ourselves through that venue.”
At the same time, they also strive to reach out to people who have opposing political views. Sister Marilín recalled a recent incident in which a member of a conservative youth group asked her how the Adrian Dominican Sisters stand on immigration. “I realized I had to put aside my difference with her, and we kept the conversation to the point that she felt that her parish wasn’t praying for the immigrants,” she said. “She might agree with some of the policies that I don’t agree with, but we find a place to keep the conversation [going].”
Noting that Florida is a Republican state, Sister Xiomara said, “Some of my good friends, loving people, they voted for [President Donald] Trump, and I have been tempted not to engage with them. But we honor each other, and because we love each other, we can engage in conversation.”
Sister Marilín added: “If Dominic were around, he would really support the dialogue.”
Feature Photo at Top: Members of the Barry University community participate in the Mass, procession, and prayer service for immigrants in January. Among them, standing in the center front, are Sister Marilín Llanes, OP, left, wearing a black T-shirt; Father Jorge Presmanes, OP, in the white habit; and Sister Xiomara Méndez-Hernández, OP.
January 27, 2026, Adrian, Michigan – The late Sister Jamie Phelps, OP, longtime theologian, advocate for racial and social equality, and supporter of Black Catholic education, was awarded with a Certificate of Appreciation during the 38th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Lenawee County, Michigan.
The January 19, 2026, luncheon at the Tobias Center of Adrian College centered on a . theme from a quote by Dr. King: “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”
The Certificate of Appreciation honors Sister Jamie for “leading and performing her faith while being a blessing to others. We have been blessed by her presence while she lived and served in our community, making the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a reality for those around her.” The certificate, signed by Andre’a Benard, president of the celebration planning committee, also acclaimed Sister Jamie as “one of our giants.”
“We Adrian Dominican Sisters have been deeply blessed by Sister Jamie’s joyful, challenging, and transformative presence among us, calling us always to fully live Gospel imperatives in our Dominican sisterhood,” said Sister Elise D. García, OP, Prioress of the Congregation, in accepting the certificate. “She was a Dominican preacher through and through who played an indelible national leadership role in raising up Black Catholic Studies as an essential field of study for all Catholics. Her love and passion for the common good of all God’s people are an enduring legacy – calling us all to keep carrying on.”
Sister Jamie was born on October 24, 1941, in Mobile, Alabama, and, after her family moved to Chicago, was educated by the Adrian Dominican Sisters in elementary school. “When Jamie professed her first vows as a member of our Congregation, she became the first Black Sister in our Congregation,” Sister Elise said. “We all know too well what our nation was like in the 1960s and the painful struggle for justice and equality that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led – and that he and so many Black folk gave their lives to attain. Sister Jamie gave her life to that struggle in our nation, religious life, and the U.S. Catholic Church, where she also found prejudice.”
Sister Jamie died on November 22, 2025. More about her life and legacy can be found in the news section of the Adrian Dominican Sisters website.
The Martin Luther King Jr. celebration also included a welcome by Dr. Cheri Betz, President of Siena Heights University; expressions by Angela Sword Heath, Mayor of Adrian; keynote address by Dr. Leland Harper, Associate Professor of Race, Justice, and Equity Studies at Siena Heights University; and presentation of several awards:
Caption for above feature photo: Sister Elise D. García, OP, Prioress of the Adrian Dominican Congregation, accepts the Certificate of Appreciation Award on behalf of the late Sister Jamie Phelps, OP, during the Lenawee County, Michigan, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Community Celebration on January 19, 2026.