The Dominican Association of Secondary Schools (DASS) hosted the Fourth Convocation of  Dominican Secondary Schools. Partners in Ministry: Sustaining the Mission October 21-23, 2010 Hilton Post Oak Hotel in Houston, Texas View pictures

The Administrators, Directors of Advancement, Alumni, Communication, Campus Ministry and teachers from fifteen of DASS schools gathered for the event.  The theme of the Convocation was "Partners in Ministry: Sustaining the Mission." 

Sr. Patricia Brady,OP, Executive Director of DASS,  Sr. Jane Meyer,OP, President of DASS, and Sr. Carol Mayes, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Houston welcomed the group. The opening ritual on Thursday evening highlighted in song and prayer the historical founding of each of our DASS schools.

Sr. Ann Willits, OP Sr. Ann Willits, OP, a Dominican Sisters in the Sinsinawa congregation, was a secondary school teacher and administrator for many years. She has also served in Congregation leadership and the administration. She is presently a full time itinerant preacher and teacher. There is no group Sr. Ann loves more than the adults who work with teen-agers.		Sr. Ann Willits, noted and revered Dominican preacher, in her opening address on Friday morning asked the question: "What Holds Us Together?"  Going back to our roots as Dominicans, Sr. Ann spoke about Dominic's passionate commitment to the Mission and his firm belief in the potential of the members of the young Order. Finding our energy and passion in today's world, Sr. Ann reminded the group to remember these "liquid roots" of our Dominican tradition. Holding strong to this legacy, she encouraged each individual not simply to speak of the schools' mission statement, but in a sense of deep ownership for whom  we are, let each of us "become that mission statement."
Patick Spedale Patrick Spedale is presently the Director of the Office of Campus Ministry at St. Pius X High School in Houston, TX. Since 1996, he has served in this capacity in partnership with the Dominican Sisters of Hourson. In 2005, he was honored with the distinguished Partner in Preaching Award by the Sisters of Houston in recognition of his contribution to the order's charism of social justice and embodiment of Dominican life. In addition to his duties as director of campus ministry, Patrick also serves as senior choirmaster of the award winning St. Pius X Concert Chorale and Campus Singers.		Mr. Patrick Spedale,   Director of the Campus Ministry Office, at St. Pius X High School in Houston,  in his presentation, "Keeping the Mission; the Craft of Charism by Intention," challenged the participants to  keep the mission of transformation alive in their schools. As "keepers of the mission," we intentionally need to be about building the Kingdom of God in word and action. What we do within our school communities cannot be called a job; it is a sacred ministry. We must daily ask ourselves: "How am I preaching the mission at this moment?"
Dr. Carolyn Woo Dr. Carolyn Y Woo is the Dean of the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. Her specific interests include strategic management entrepreneurship, technological innovation and organizational change. She has served on editorial boards for numerous publications, and has engaged in consulting for a number of corporate and other organizations. She lectures regularly on individual integrity, ethical systems and corporate citizenship. She has served on the boards of three Fortune 400 companies. Dr. Woo is a member of the Committee of 100, an organization of Chinese Americans working to enhance U.S.-China relations and the full participation of Chinese Americans in American life. Dr. Woo who earned her Ph.D. from Purdue University received her elementary and secondary education at the Maryknoll Convent School in Hong Cong.		In the concluding Friday afternoon session, Dr. Carolyn Woo, Director of the Mendoza School of Business at the University of Notre Dame spoke about "Mission More Important Now Than Ever." At t the outset of her talk, Dr. Woo expressed her thanks to the Maryknoll sisters in Hong Kong who provided her with twelve years of excellent Catholic education. Applauding their inspirational influence in her life, she thanked them for instilling in her a strong sense of personal identity and self-expression.  In a culture, today,  that is in many ways "hostile to young people," Dr. Woo asserted that Catholic schools must still provide a "place of grace and witness," where values of our Catholic faith traditions are given attention; personal growth and self-expression are fostered; habits of worship are encouraged, and life-long shared values of mutual care are developed. How we continue to accomplish these goals will require "ingenuity and entrepreneurial leadership," and a willingness to seek out and join forces with new partners. In all our efforts, we know that we are not alone; the Spirit continues to support and direct our efforts.

In Saturday morning's concluding panel discussion, Barbara Daush, President of St. Agnes Academy/St. Dominic School in Memphis, TN.  Sr. Jane Meyer, OP, Head of School at St. Agnes Academy in Houston, TX and Dr. Cynthia Thomas, President of St. Mary's Dominican High School in New Orleans, LA. reflected  about  specific ways the Dominican mission of education is sustained and supported in their schools.