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From the Executive Director's corner
"If we can find ways of sharing our faith that touch the imagination, which excite the mind and the heart, then the young will be drawn to us...We need to share some sense of the adventure of faith." ("Preaching to the Young," Timothy Radcliffe,OP)
At the end of March, campus ministers and theology chairs from our Midwest Dominican high schools gathered at Queen of Peace High School in Burbank, IL for a day of sharing around the theme of "The role of the Campus Minister in a Catholic Dominican High School." Sandra Iwanski, nationally known author and presenter, who has served for many years as Campus Minister at Rosary High School in Aurora, IL asked: What is the one thing you bring to ministry in a Catholic Dominican school? Who you are will determine the lens through which you approach your position as campus minister... Your personal spirituality is critical to what you are about.
In preparation for this gathering, participants were asked to reflect on the rewards and challenges of serving as a campus minister in a high school setting. Many responded most positively about what the encounter with young people provided them. One campus minister said it well: "I enjoy the involvement I have in the students' spiritual growth process. This process is defined by moments of realization, glimpses of simple beauty, a dedication of intellectual endeavor, a continual effort of the mind, an open spirit, a thirst for the truth, and a craving for meaning.I am tremendously blessed in that I am afforded glimpses, if not stretches, of this growing." (Joshua Kramer, Edgewood High School in Madison, WI)
On the "flipside", however, challenges abound. The components of a comprehensive high school campus ministry program as delineated in the "Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Ministry, USCCB, 1997.) indicate that "Ministry with adolescents utilizes each of the Church's ministries: advocacy, catechesis, community life, evangelization, justice and service, leadership development, pastoral care, prayer and worship-in an integrated approach. Campus ministry is a dimension of the total religious education of the school."
As the participants talked about ways they addressed each of these key components, it was widely agreed that an integrated, collaborative approach is essential. The Catholic Dominican mission and philosophy of the school must serve as major foundational pieces. Campus Ministers cannot do it alone. All theology teachers, administrators, faculty members and staff are charged with the faith formation of the young people in their care. Campus Ministers can only succeed if they are supported by the total school community.
As we bring this 2008-09 school year to a close, let us celebrate all that we have accomplished this year and don't forget to thank your Campus Minister for all her/his efforts.
Pat Brady, OP
Dominican Schools News: Preaching in Action
Mt. St. Dominic Academy in Caldwell, NJ Celebrates Justice Day 2009
On Ash Wednesday, Mount St. Dominic celebrated its third annual Justice Day. As part of this year's event, the students viewed a Power Point presentation sent to the school by the students of St. Mary's Dominican High School in New Orleans. Following the Katrina disaster three years ago, the young women from the Mount held several fundraising activities to assist St. Mary's Dominican in their recovery efforts. Another highlight of the day featured a discussion and presentation by a Holocaust survivor, her daughter and granddaughter. Check the Mt. St. Dominic website for further information on this informative and challenging program.
Students from Fenwick High School in Oak Park, IL Spend Spring Break in New Orleans
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Fifty Fenwick High School students, parents and faculty members spent their Easter break working in New Orleans assisting in the restoration project for the storm stricken city. This is the second annual trip to New Orleans for the Fenwick students. Participants worked framing houses, painting, hanging dry wall, doing landscape work, restoring a cemetery and helping in conservation projects. Fenwick students have been working since last fall to raise funds to support the trip and to make the donation for additional building materials. The trip was conducted within the context of Micah, Chapter 6: "This is what the Lord asks of you and only this; that you act justly, that you love tenderly and that you walk humbly with your God." Everyone enjoyed the week of service, prayer and community. |
International Peace Activist visits St. Pius X High School in Houston, TX
| Relating powerful stories of the impact of continuous bombings in Iraq, Gaza, and Afghanistan, three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Kathy Kelly spoke to the St. Pius X student body on April 15th. Kelly has been recognized by numerous humanitarian organizations, including nominations for the Nobel Prize in 2000-2001 and 2003. She was also instrumental in establishing "Voices of the Wilderness," a campaign to end the US/UN sanctions against Iraq in the mid 90's and "Voices for Creative Non-Violence," a group that advocates nonviolent direct action to stop wars. Kelly challenged the students "to courageously overcome their fears and inconveniences to live a life in accord with out deepest values of 'Thou shalt not kill, and love one another." Check out St. Pius' website for further details. |
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St. Mary's Dominican High School in New Orleans Celebrates Holy Week
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Members of the drama club directed by Rosalie Abadie once again led the annual Lenten all school prayer service focusing on the traditional Stations of the Cross. This year, the theme was "The Daffodil Principle." Abadie recalled her spring visit to see her married daughter in Tennessee. Her daughter told her that she had something special she wanted her to see. The two of them headed down the highway nearby, turned off the main road and climbed to the top of a hill. And there before them, Abadie recalled, was the "most beautiful sight I had ever seen, a vast sea of glorious yellow daffodils in full bloom." Abadie asked her daughter who had planted these magnificent flowers? Her daughter led her to a small modest home up the road. A small hand-lettered sign in the yard entitled: "Answers to the Questions, I Know You Are Asking: First, 50,000 bulbs; Second, one at a time by one woman, two hands, two feet, and one brain; Third, began in 1958." Inspired by this theme, the participating students, teachers and alums through music, dance, poetry and story once again walked the Stations of the Cross realizing in a very unique way the power of one person's passion. |
Sacred Heart-Griffin High School Students from Springfield, IL Participate in Community Service Project
| For the 20th anniversary celebration of the merger of Sacred Heart Academy and Griffin High School, Sacred Heart-Griffin has been engaged in SHG Works, a community service project to give back to the Springfield community. On March 18, over 70 students, staff and parents from SHG participated in a mini SHG Works as they joined together to clean up the yard of a home near school. (The owner of the home was notified that he would be fined by the city if he didn't clean up his yard.) Most of students who helped were participating the school musical, "Back to the 80's," In place of a practice the cast and crew provided community service. The service project saved the owner $2000 in fines. The SHG students left feeling good that they had helped one of their neighbors. |
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Photo from the State Journal-Register, Springfield |
San Domenico School in San Anselmo, CA Hosts Mexican Human Rights Winner
On April 27, 2009, the Social Justice class at San Domenico School opened the doors of its new Hall of the Arts and welcomed their classmates and students from Drake High School and John O'Connell High School in San Francisco's Mission District for a discussion of their latest read, Enrique's Journey. This event included an appearance by Olga Sanchez Martinez who will be in San Francisco to receive an Unsung Heroes of Compassion award and blessings from the Dalai Llama. Dona Olga operates the Shelter of Jesus the Good Shepherd in Mexico which treats migrants who are injured during their journey to the U.S. For further details, check out the DomLife.org website.
Justice issues continue to take front and center with St. Agnes Academy in Houston!
St. Agnes Academy celebrated the value and beauty of cultural diversity with its eighth annual Diversity Week, in February 2009. The theme this year was "Our Immigrant Heritage." Students heard from various St. Agnes community members as well as members of the larger community about their personal stories with immigration to the United States. They heard keynote addresses from a business leader on immigration reform and from a priest on the Church teachings on welcoming the stranger. A former Houston City Council member and a local immigration attorney spoke about the story of immigration and the hope for reform. He dispelled many of the myths that people have about immigrants. Students wore clothing particular to their heritage for Ancestral Dress Day as well as participated in the Annual International Food Festival and International Performances Pageant. The week closed with a school wide viewing of "A Place at the Table" from the Southern Poverty Law Center.
St. Agnes Academy tackled the difficult issue of homophobia with Healing Homophobia week, in April of 2009, its theme being "Stand up for What's Right! Heal Homophobia!" Students wore buttons (That's so gay, is not okay) intended to raise consciousness about hateful speech, they went to optional panels, one featuring a family's experience going through the coming out process of one of its members and one featuring students and teacher talking about how to be allies to gay friends and family members.
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St. Agnes Academy in Houston celebrated Earth Day with a week of activities. The school's Green Club organized and sponsored the events, most of which occurred during lunch. Students reused old clothing items, making them new again by tie-dying. A carpool contest encouraged fuel efficiency. Students created "living bouquets" of potted flowering plants as an alternative to cut flowers that wither and fade. A spread of organic food attracted students hungry to learn about the environmental benefits of growing food without the use of artificial pesticides or fertilizers. Students could "talk the talk and walk the walk" at a cake walk featuring environmentally-themed cakes. The campus community participated in plastic, paper, battery, and ink cartridge recycling drives. Students made mud pies (chocolate treats) as they learned about the importance of healthy soil. Contests including a green jelly bean guessing jar and a literary contest encouraged students to think green. Proceeds from the week will fund the establishment of a community garden on campus. |
Congratulations are in order...
Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, IL brought to a close the year long celebration of 50 years of "Teaching Scholars with a Soul," on Saturday night, April 25th, with a gala at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. As part of the evening's festivities, Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey,OP, currently Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and school leader at Marian from 1992-2008 received the Dominican Legacy Pillar Award. Marian's Board of Directors also announced that its recently opened Leadership Center will bear Sr. Mary Paul's name.
Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, IL also brought their year long celebration of the school's 50th anniversary to a close at a gathering held at the Regina Dominican auditorium on April 25th. The event was highlighted by a presentation featuring Sr. Nancy Murray, OP (an alumna of Regina Dominican) as Catherine of Siena. The week prior to this event, the Chicago Tribune (April23rd), dedicated a full page feature article to Sr. Nancy's gifted theatrical efforts during these past several years. (For anyone who wishes to have Sr. Nancy visit their school, she may be contacted at: NMurray@adriandominicans.org )
Sr. Gervaise Valpey,OP, President Emerita of San Domenico School in San Anselmo, CA was named one of the "Unsung Heroes of Compassion," by the "Wisdom in Action" group.
Sr. Gervaise personally established the Sustainability Project at San Domenico in 1994, and today is a foremost leader in the area of environmental education within the Bay Area. Check the Domlife.org website for further details.
The Dominican Sisters of Peace celebrated their newly founded foundation on April 14, 2009 in St. Louis, MO. The newly formed Dominican Sisters of Peace are comprised of the following Dominican congregations from: Oxford, MI; New Orleans, LA, Great Bend, KA, Columbus, OH, St.Catherine, KY, Akron, OH. The Dominican Sisters of Peace is now the sponsoring congregation for the following DASS high schools: Dominican Academy in New York, NY; St. Mary's Dominican High School in New Orleans, Our Lady of the Elms High School in Akron, OH. (For more information on this event, check out the Dominicanlife.org website for further details.)
DASS Office Moves to New Orleans
Beginning July 1, 2009 the DASS Executive Office will will be housed at St. Mary's Dominican High School in New Orleans, LA. Dominican High School has graciously offered free office space and secretarial help as needed. Sr. Pat Brady,OP, present Executive Director, is in the process of "packing and moving" to the Crescent City.
Events to Remember and Calendar
Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference
June 27-July 2, 2009
Siena Heights University-Adrian, MI
Director: Sr. Mary Soher,OP: msoher@adriandominicans.org
DASS Annual Meeting
The DASS Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at St. Agnes Academy/St. Dominic School in Memphis, TN. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. As an agenda piece for this meeting, we will have the opportunity to tour the new Veritas Research Center at the school. Registration information for this even will be mailed to the member schools in late June.
In-service day for campus ministers/theology teachers (sponsored by the Midwest Region)
October 28, 2009 (Wednesday)
Rosary High School in Aurora, IL
DASS Convocation
The DASS Convocation of Dominican Schools will be held in Houston, TX October 21-23, 2010. The theme of the Convocation will be "Sustainability of our Dominican Schools." Further details will be forthcoming.
Recommended Reading/Viewing
Dominican Approaches to Education, edited by Gabrielle Kelly,OP and Kevin Saunders, OP (ATF Press - www.atfpress.com)
Bringing together a range of scholarly and reflective contributions from every continent, this book offers an introduction to the sources and principles of Dominican values in education as exemplified in some key figures in the tradition. At the same time, it provides a broad sample of the many contexts in which the purpose of Dominican life has found expression in the widest sense.
Speaking With Authority-Catherine of Siena and the Voices of Women Today by Mary Catherine Hilkert, OP (Paulist Press, New York/Mahwah, NJ, 2008)
"This book challenges today's women and men to continue exploring the rights and the role of women in the Christian community to speak the truth with love, with wisdom and with compassion," (Carl Trutter,OP, Review for Domlife.org)
"The Shape of the Church to Come" by Timothy Radcliffe,OP (America magazine, 100 Years Anniversary edition, April 13, 2009)
"Immersed in God's Creation: Catherine of Siena" (produced by the Earth Council of the Dominican congregations in the North East, 2009)
Viewers are invited into a spiritual journey that reconnects us with Earth through contemplation, meditation and dialogue. Using Catherine's words and original contemporary paintings and photography, viewers are encouraged to experience her wisdom and deep contemplative spirit. The DVD is presented in an interactive format which features the reflections on Catherine and eco-spirituality input from members of the Earth Council. The DVD is divided into six segments of approximately ten minutes each, making it ideal for use in personal or communal meditation, and/or in classes, retreats or rituals. (Order at www.Amazon.com - cost:$19.95)
Of Special Note
Brother Joseph Kilikevice, OP, a friar of the Central Province of Dominicans, is the Director of the Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality in Oak Park, IL. Brother Joseph has offered interfaith retreats throughout the country for over 20 years. Approaching the world's religions and spiritual paths experientially, forms of prayer, meditation and ritual are presented as a way into the wisdom found therein. He often quotes theologian Hans Kung saying, "There can be no peace among nations without peace among religions."
In the Dances of Universal Peace, Brother Joseph uses inspiration from the honor and spiritual paths of people of the world. Not a performance but a global form of prayer, The Dances of Universal Peace invite participants to experience with breath, voice, and body the spiritual wisdom found in ancient, mantric sounds and their meanings. All is gently and respectfully taught. Dominican High School and College students continue to enjoy this form of preaching in varied retreat and conference settings.
If you would like Brother Joseph to visit your school he may be contacted at:
Bro. Joseph Kilikevice,OP
Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality
708 N. Harvey Ave.
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-848-1095
shemcenter@comcast.net
www.shemcenter.org.
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