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November 26, 2025, Adrian, Michigan – The Adrian Dominican Sisters received the Catherine Cobb Everyday Heroes Award in the category of Justice/Court during a ceremony that recognized heroes in 11 categories. The 10th Annual Everyday Heroes Celebration, sponsored by Catherine Cobb Safe House, took place on the evening of November 6, 2025, in the Adrian Armory Event Center. 

In addition to Justice/Court Hero, recipients were recognized as Animal Rescue Hero (for people or animals), Community Hero, Human Services Hero, Youth Good Samaritan Hero, Adult Good Samaritan Hero, Educator Hero, Law Enforcement Hero for paid staff or volunteers, Faith-Based Hero, and Military Hero. 

“There are many people in Lenawee County who provide help and hope to others every day, and we’re sure that every day someone in Lenawee County takes some action that rises to the level of heroism,” Jill Hicks, Executive Director of Catherine Cobb, noted in an acknowledgement printed in the program. “We may not be aware of all these everyday heroes – these wonderful, caring people who sometimes risk their own safety to help others or give of their time so generously to lend a hand when needed – but we are proud to honor some of those very special people tonight.”

The Congregation received the Justice/Court Hero award for years of work for local people who are unhoused; immigration services; and advocacy and work against the death penalty and human trafficking.

“For decades, the Adrian Dominican Sisters have embodied compassion, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to justice,” James E. Van Doren, Chair of the Lenawee County Board of Commissioners, wrote in a tribute to the Congregation. “Through your advocacy, education, and outreach, you have supported fairness and dignity for all individuals in our community. Your tireless efforts to promote peace, equity, and understanding have strengthened the very foundation of Lenawee County.”

Sister Frances Nadolny, OP, General Councilor, accepted the award on behalf of Sister Elise D. García, OP, Prioress of the Congregation, and the Adrian Dominican Sisters. She specifically thanked Jill Hicks, Executive Director of Catherine Cobb, and members of the Board of Directors. 

“For 47 years the people of Catherine Cobb have been heroes to everyday victims of domestic violence,” Sister Fran said. “We salute you, too, as we proudly accept this award for our work in social justice.” 

Catherine Cobb Safe House offers a variety of services to the survivors of domestic and sexual violence. These include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency housing, basic needs, individual and group therapy, personal and legal services, education, and transitional supportive housing. 

The Adrian Dominican Sisters are long-time partners with Catherine Cobb Safe House, with Sisters serving as members of its Board of Directors. Catherine Cobb has also received support from the Congregation through Ministry Trust grants, given to nonprofit organizations in which Adrian Dominican Sisters minister, volunteer, or serve on Boards.   

Attending the celebration with Sister Fran were Adrian Dominican Sisters Patricia Leonard, OP, a recent Catherine Cobb Board member; Nancy Murray, OP, current Board member; Attracta Kelly, OP; Tarianne DeYonker, OP; Durstyne Farnan, OP; Theresa Mayrand, OP; and Mary Jane Lubinski, OP.

Sister Fran said the Everyday Heroes Celebration was attended by current honorees and their guests, past honorees, people who had been nominated, and people involved in Catherine Cobb. She was especially inspired by hearing the stories of other award recipients. “I was moved by the generosity of people and the fact that everyday folks were being recognized for the good things that they do,” she said. “It made me feel good to know that people are so caring and look out for each other.” 
 

Caption for above feature photo: Sister Frances Nadolny, OP, General Councilor, displays the Everyday Heroes Award.

September 17, 2025, Adrian, Michigan – The feast of St. Phoebe – declared a saint by the early Church before the canonization process was begun – was celebrated on September 10, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel at the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Motherhouse. The Liturgy and an afternoon program on St. Phoebe were organized by the Spirits Rising Mission Group of the Adrian Dominican Sisters.

“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is [also] a minister of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones, and help her in whatever way she may need from you, for she has been a benefactor to many and to me as well.” These words, taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans (16:1-2), are never proclaimed from the pulpit as part of the Catholic Church’s lectionary, but they are used by many in the Church to uphold Phoebe as a deacon and minister of the early Church.

During the liturgy at St. Catherine Chapel, Associate Kathryn “Katie” Love offered a reflection on Romans 16:1-2 and the Beatitudes. She noted that St. Paul lifted Phoebe “as an example – a woman whose ministry strengthens the body of Christ” through her leadership, service, and care for God’s people.  

Phoebe’s legacy has been carried on by women throughout the course of Church history, Katie said. “Think of the women who opened their homes as house churches in Paul’s time … the women martyrs who gave their lives for Christ … the women religious who have taught, healed, and cared for the poor across centuries … and the mothers and grandmothers who have passed the faith from one generation to the next.”

She encouraged the assembly to remember Phoebe and to “give thanks for the countless women who have carried the Church on their shoulders – in the early days, in history, and right here among us now.”

Sister Cheryl Liske, OP, delegate of the Spirits Rising Mission Group, led Sisters and Associates in an afternoon program that included input on St. Phoebe and opportunities for small- and large-group discussion. The program explored the role of St. Phoebe and its implications for the role of women in the Catholic Church today.

“Phoebe is the only person directly named as a deacon and benefactor” in Scriptures, said Sister Cheryl, an iconographer who created an icon of St. Phoebe and presented it to the Adrian Dominican Sisters on the Feast of St. Phoebe in 2024. The icon is now on display in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. 

“We recognize and honor her as our sister,” she added. “She used her power for the good of others and for the Gospel. Perhaps we could reflect on how we use whatever social power we have to come to the aid of the needy. If we do that, Phoebe will be proud to have us as her successors.”

Sister Cheryl noted the “ongoing discernment” over women’s ordination to the permanent diaconate, a role distinct from that of the priest. One of the primary documents of Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, describes the role of the deacon. At the disposal of the bishop, the deacon is called to “serve the whole people of God and take care of the sick and the poor.”

Sister Cheryl contrasted the recent 60 Minutes interview in which Pope Francis stated that the issue of women’s ordination was closed with Paragraph 60 of the summary of the Catholic Church’s three-year Synodal Process, which calls for “full implementation of all the opportunities already provided for in Canon Law with regard to the role of women” and requests that the “discernment of diaconal ministry for women remains open.”

Understanding the difference between the 60 Minutes interview and paragraph 60 is one step towards continuing the discernment of women deacons, Sister Cheryl said. She also encouraged participants to sign on to the request that the Feast of St. Phoebe be restored to the Roman calendar and that the reference to St. Phoebe in Romans 16:1-2 be restored to the lectionary. 

The celebration of the Feast of St. Phoebe was in response to a request by Discerning Deacons, an organization whose mission is to “engage Catholics in the active discernment of our Church about women and the diaconate and contribute to the renewal of this ministry for our times.”
 

Caption for above feature photo: Participants in the September 10, 2025, presentation on St. Phoebe engage in small-group discussion.