What's Happening

January 26, 2026, Adrian, Michigan – On behalf of Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates, the leaders of the Congregation announced their support of a statement by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), calling for an end to violence.

In the light of growing global violence and, at home, the killing in Minneapolis by ICE agents of Alex Pretti, 37, on January 24 and of Renee Good, 37, on January 7 – two citizens exercising their rights to protest government policies and actions – we stand with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in “unequivocally denounce[ing] the use of violence in any form.”

As Dominicans whose motto is veritas (truth), we also call for truth-telling by all government officials – pursuant to thorough and impartial investigations of fact, not speculation.

We join with LCWR in stating that “Our hope does not rest in force or fear, but in the transformative power of love lived boldly and together.”

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Members of the Adrian Dominican Sisters Leadership Council are: Sisters Elise D. García, OP, Prioress; Mary Margaret Albert, OP, and Margaret Coyne, OP, Chapter Prioresses; Sara Fairbanks, OP, and Durstyne Farnan, OP, Mission Prioresses; Patricia Leonard, OP, Chapter Prioress; Frances Nadolny, OP, Lorraine Réaume, OP, and Corinne Sanders, OP, General Councilors; and Mary Soher, OP, Mission Prioress.

November 12, 2024, Adrian, Michigan – Catholic Sisters leading Michigan congregations that have collectively served the people of Michigan for more than 700 years are joining with other organizations and municipalities across the state in calling on state lawmakers to pass the Drive SAFE (Safety, Access, Freedom, and Economy) legislation pending in the legislature.
 
The Drive SAFE bill package would make non-commercial Michigan driver’s licenses and state identification cards available to applicants who do not have proof of U.S. citizenship or immigration status. The bill would allow undocumented immigrants to have driver’s licenses and reinstate the right to drive in Michigan, a right that was revoked in 2008 and that currently exists in 18 other states and Washington, D.C. The Drive SAFE bill package is supported by Strangers No Longer of Southeast Michigan, an immigrant advocacy organization.
 
“As women of faith we support this legislation because it honors the inherent dignity of all persons and supports the safety and welfare of all Michigan residents. We also support it as practical Michiganders because it makes common sense and is cost-effective,” the leaders stated.
 
Providing access to driver’s licenses and state IDs for all residents of Michigan – regardless of their documentation – gives residents the ability to care for their families and get to and from work and/or school without fear of being arrested, detained, and deported. It also enables residents to participate in daily activities in their communities that require identification. 
 
“These bills would benefit all Michiganders, making our roads and communities safer and improve our economy by adding to the state’s revenue,” the Sisters said.  
 
The legislation provides that all drivers be trained, screened, and tested and required to have auto insurance. In case of emergencies, officials would be able to efficiently identify all individuals. The legislation is estimated to increase revenues in the State of Michigan by up to $13.5 million within the first three years of its passage.
 
“We strongly urge our legislators to pass Drive SAFE legislation for the common good of all residents of Michigan,” the Sisters stated.
 

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The Michigan congregations whose leaders have issued this statement include Dominican Sisters of Adrian; Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids; Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe; Congregation of St. Joseph, Detroit; Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary of Detroit; Servants of Jesus, Detroit. The leaders of these congregations are members of the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and part of its geographic Region VII.