What's Happening

By Sister Tarianne DeYonker, OP

July 23, 2025, Chicago – On a not-yet-so-sticky Tuesday afternoon in June, eight young women ranging in age from 18 to 43 began arriving in Westchester, Illinois, to meet with Dominican sisters for a service week advertised as “Preaching in Action, Igniting Hope.” 

Six vocation ministers representing various congregations of Dominican sisters welcomed them with hugs and smiles, a communal meal, prayer, and an overview of the week. Arriving for the most part as strangers, they were to become a close-knit community.
 
Service at a city farm, aptly named “Just Roots,” was the first event. Created on the grounds of St. James’ previous church building, the farm grows produce to be given to those who are hungry and shared with local food pantries. Staff could not have been more helpful or knowledgeable. 

The afternoon drew us to Aquinas Literacy Center, where the women shared a meal provided by Adrian Dominican Associate Alison Altmeyer, Director of the literacy center, and observe a class and one-to-one tutoring by young professionals who volunteer there. Two participants arranged donated furniture to make comfortable conversational settings for learners.
 
Thursday of the service week was Juneteenth, marking the day in 1865 that slaves in Galveston, Texas, finally learned two years later that they had been freed. A Sinsinawa Dominican Associate shared the significance of this new national holiday and spoke about some previously unknown Black saints and popes in Catholic history. A brief visit to the Du Sable Museum of African American History brought us to lunchtime and a brief tour of the museum. 

Our last service was at Brothers and Sisters of Immigrants, where the discerners prepared rooms for anticipated newcomers to the house. They also worked on other projects in the house that needed assistance. In between projects, volunteers had brief chances to play with the young children in the house.
 
By Friday, the week was coming to a close. Sister Connie Schoen, OP, a Dominican Sister of Peace, led a hearty, conversational exchange on restorative justice. This was followed by a fun afternoon trip to Navy Pier and back to Westchester for an outdoor Mass, presided by Father Jim Marchionda, OP, and a barbecue with sisters living and ministering in the area. 

The participants seemed to have had a wonderful time with each other and with the sites, where their service was both needed and welcomed. 

May 7, 2025, Adrian, Michigan – For the second year in a row, Joanne Wood, Spanish teacher at Lenawee Christian School in Adrian, brought her service group of eight seniors to the Dominican Life Center (DLC) at the Adrian Dominican Sisters Motherhouse Campus for the school’s annual day of service. Spending the day with the Sisters were Keira Naegele, Brielle Parker, Madison Pillar, Laina Reitz, Ila Stewart, Tory Swiggum, Ava TenCate, and Emilia Yatzek. 

The students comprise one of three groups of seniors who provided service on April 28, 2025. The other groups served at different sites.

Sandy Place, RN, DLC Administrator, explained that the students spent a full day at the DLC, beginning with a blessing of the hands created by the Spiritual and Social Care Services Department. Chaplain Bryan Gregory read the blessing, while Chaplain Pamela Przybylski blessed the hands of the students and others in attendance.

During the day, the students worked with Sisters to plant flowers in pots at the entrance of the Regina residence or planted perennials in the permaculture section; paused for a pizza lunch; bussed tables in the dining room after the Sisters’ lunch; spent time speaking with the Sisters; and created cards to be distributed to Sisters who seldom have visitors.

The day brought joy to the students as well as the Sisters.

“I like helping people,” said Keira, who hopes to study music education at Michigan State University and serve as a band director. “I’m happy to take the opportunity to do what needs to be done and show God’s love for others.”

Emilia, granddaughter of Sandy, said she had come to the DLC last year for service day and enjoyed it. “We’re just happy to come back,” she said. She was impressed by meeting one of the Sisters who ministered in a variety of ways over the years, including teaching. Emilia herself plans to attend Adrian College to study Elementary Education.

“I like talking with the Sisters and listening to them and their life stories and how they help people,” said Ila, who plans to study interior design.   

Both Joanne and Sandy also appreciated the day and the blessings it brought to everyone involved.

Joanne said the students in her group have been working together in service for four years. “We meet on a monthly basis,” she explained. “We’re looking for an opportunity to help others, putting hands and feet at the service of others. When you come to serve, you are also blessed.”

“This is the second year in a row that Joanne Wood’s service class has come to the DLC to provide service to our campus, and we have both received blessings from their visit,” Sandy said. “I am hoping this becomes an annual event.”
 

Caption for above feature photo: Participating in the day of service are, from left, Sandy Place, Administrator of the Dominican Life Center; students Emilia Yatzek, Ila Stewart, Tory Swiggum, and Brielle Parker; Spanish teacher Joanne Wood; and students Keira Naegele, Ava TenCate, Laina Reitz, and Mady Pillar.