2016 Jubilarians
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May love, joy, and mercy continue to light the path of humanity.
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Dominican Women Preaching the Gospel
What is a Jubilarian? Our Hebrew roots provide a tradition for Jubilee to be celebrated every fifty years. In our Dominican tradition we have developed our own customs. Our celebration of Jubilee brings our Jubilarians back to their origin in the Congregation. We honor each woman and find ways to identify her unique contributions to our lives. We tell stories about our lives, our learnings and our joys and sorrows. We celebrate! Each Jubilarian has a story to tell, and the common threads of our stories are enhanced by one another. The unfolding of the mystery of God’s presence in our lives is awesome. We recognize this unfolding mystery of dying and being reborn as we walk together throughout life. Each Sister’s YES, each day, enhances the whole community. As we continue to be inflamed with contemplative love daily, we are so grateful for these holy women who celebrate their Jubilee this year, and we continue to be enriched by their lives.
In memory of the Jubilarians who share eternal life... 75 Years – 1941 Mary Eloysa Garcia, OP Bernice Botwinski, OP Jane Anthony Cherwinski, OP Marie Andre St. Cyr, OP
70 Years – 1946 John Anne Paquette, OP Viola Marie Henige, OP Marie Eugene Charbonneau, OP Anne Keating, OP Jean Milhaupt, OP Dorothy Giglio, OP JoAn Brown, OP
60 Years – 1956 Roberta Hefferan, OP Wanda Ezop, OP Ye 00
Mary Ann Cudzanowski,OP
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Madelyn Hronek, OP 8
Carmella Conway, OP “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and have appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain.” - John 15:16 Through the 75 years from Reception of the Habit and my years as an aspirant and postulant, I feel richly blessed that God has chosen me and has continued to support, enlighten, and direct me in His service. I thank my beloved Dominican Community, my dedicated parents, my relatives, friends, and students who have nurtured me through all these years. May God be praised!
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ow can I ever thank our Good God for all of the blessings He has bestowed on me these 75 years of ministry in our Dominican Family? He has given me gifts that I have hope-fully used to minister to His People. They, in turn, have inspired and nurtured me on my long journey. I was baptized Rita Rose, born September 19, 1922 and was the fourth of seven children of William and Blanche Conway in Allegan, Michigan. I joined the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters in 1940 and in 1941 I received the name Sister Mary Carmella of the Blessed Sacrament. Sr. Carmella at the lectern where she proclaims God’s Word on occasion.
I studied and earned a BA from Aquinas College, an MA in Teaching Religion from Providence College, Rhode Island and an MA in Educational Administration from Michigan State University. I was blessed to have taught in various schools in Michigan and New Mexico for over fifty years, claiming that “every place I’ve gone, I liked.” I moved to Marywood in 1996 where I currently live. My ministry continues as I serve as a lector, choir member, and correspondent in my living group.
75 years
Helen Jude, OP How can I ever thank God for all the blessings bestowed on me! The Lord called the four oldest in our family to religious life: Sister Donata, Sister Emeliana, Father Walter Jude, and myself. My heart overflows with gratitude for the gift of faith, family, friends, and Community of Sisters. To all who encouraged and supported me in a variety of ways, I say thank you and God bless you always.
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was born on February 20, 1921, the 5th child of 12 children in Irons, Michigan. My parents, Dominik Judis and Kazimiera Eliosius were immigrants from Lithuania. I am proud of and love my rich Lithuanian ancestry. I grew up on a farm and lived close to nature and God. Church played a major role in the life of our family. I helped out Mother with the housework. We children made our own fun, like cutting up a broom handle into checkers in order to play the game. I came to Marywood in 1940 and received the habit and name of Sister Mary Walter of the Sacred Heart in 1941. I received a BA in History from Aquinas College and served in various ministries throughout Michigan beginning as a homemaker and then as an elementary teacher for 23 years. I have spent many years caring for others: the sick, elderly, and infirm. I returned to the Motherhouse in 1975.
Blood sisters, Sr. Emeliana Judis and Sr. Helen Jude shared many great memories together.
75 years
Marie Bernarde Salazar, OP Seventy years, hard to believe! How quickly the years of Love and Service, pass. I have many things to be thankful for my Family, my Dominican Family, my many Relatives and countless Friends who have supported me all these years. Thank you, my God! I will celebrate your love forever.
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was born January 9, 1927 in EspaĂąola, New Mexico to Henry and Adelaide Salazar. I am the third oldest of eight children, four boys and four girls. My education from grades one to twelve was in the Public School. I met Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters at Religious Education classes and this led me to decide to enter the convent when I was eighteen years old. After attending Aquinas College I began my teaching ministry in Michigan and New Mexico. I spent 32 years teaching in grades K through 8. What means most to me in my Dominican vocation is the gift to be able to reach out and touch the hearts of the very young. My 29 years in pastoral work at Sacred Heart Parish in Grand Rapids brought out another gift of being present and sharing joy and faith with the elderly and ill of the parish. I bask in the knowledge that I am personally and deeply loved by our God who fills me with great happiness and has given me tremendous energy to put my faith and love into practice.
70 years
Thomas Estelle Bryan, OP “This is what the Lord requires of you: to live justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6-8 My heart is filled with gratitude and joy. I’m grateful for my Dominican vocation – a gift from God on the journey. I am so very happy for the experiences, challenges, and support of my Sister companions, my family, friends, and students who have enriched, touched, and shared my life.
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was born August 2, 1927 while my parents, Thomas and Estelle Bryan were visiting relatives in Detroit. Eventually we came home to live in Saginaw. The family grew to five boys and three girls. I attended school at Sts. Peter and Paul (Saginaw) and joined the Dominicans after graduation. At my profession I was given the name Sister Thomas Estelle. I graduated from Aquinas College with a BA in English/History. During my 70 years in the Order of Preachers (O.P.), my ministry of teaching took place in Michigan (Saginaw-EssexvilleGrand Rapids-Traverse City) and New Mexico (Santa Cruz, 25 years). I am grateful to God for calling me to know, love, and serve… living “only to do right and to love goodness and to walk humbly with God”.
Sr. Thomas Estelle with her Kindergarten class after the opening of Sts. Peter and Paul School.
70 years
Michael Anne Nic, OP
As I look back over the past seventy years, I am overwhelmed by how abundantly God has blessed me.
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was born in Petoskey, Michigan to Michael Nic and Bernadine Hutta. We moved to Muskegon Heights several years later. I have a sister and three brothers. Until I came to Marywood as an Aspirant, I attended public schools. Dominican Sisters were my Saturday religion teachers. In my teaching career, I taught in parish schools across the state of Michigan and spent eight years in Belen, New Mexico. On loan to the Sisters of Providence in St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana, I worked in their Communication Office. While there, amongst my various duties, I illustrated an Annual Report, designed and sewed two large banners, and laid out a pictorial directory. One of my treasured travel memories was a visit to the birthplace of my father in Slovakia. Some of my many hobbies include painting, wood carving, sewing, crostic and crossword puzzles. I am also known for making fudge.
70 years
Mary Lee Pitre, OP
How great you are, O God! Throughout seventy years of religious life, many “variations on the theme” have been experienced in education, parish ministry and in volunteer work. Prayerful support by Community, relatives and friends have encouraged me over these seven decades. My grateful thanks to God and to all for your support and love.
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ssexville, Michigan was my birthplace in 1927. My baptism was extremely important to my parents as well as a Catholic education at home and at St. John’s School. During my Junior year in high school, along with a few other girls, we made our BIG trip to Grand Rapids to attend Sister Villana’s Reception of the Habit ceremony. As impressive as it was, it held no great importance to me until the following year when we attended her Profession of Vows. It prompted my first awakening to the thought of religious life. Since September, 1945 my life has centered around education, parish ministry, and volunteer work. As a person ages there are wonderful spiritual programs at Dominican Center at Marywood and educational opportunities at OLLI at Aquinas College to nourish and enrich one’s soul and mind— sometimes more programs than time allows. My life has been filled with many blessings and wonderful friends during my entire life.
70 years
Olga Mizzi, OP
I thank the dear Lord for His many blessings during my seventy years in the Convent. My brother, Alex (deceased) told my family that I wouldn’t last two months, and Here I am, Lord!
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was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 20, 1924 the third of six children, four boys and two girls. My parents Charles and Olga Mizzi were both born on the Island of Malta. My early years in school, grades one to eight, were at St. Dominic’s in Detroit staffed by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. I went to St. Leo for High School. In 1945 I came to Marywood at the advice of a Dominican Priest at St. Dominic’s; that has made all the difference in my life. As a Sister, I attended Aquinas College and was then assigned to St. John’s Home under the supervision of Sister Jane de Chantal. I worked there for a few years and then was sent out to teach in schools throughout Michigan. I spent 29 years of teaching and tutoring at St. Alphonsus School in Grand Rapids. My most recent ministries include the Prayer and Listening Line and Tutoring in the ESL/Word Program.
70 years
Phyllis Brown, OP “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.” - Psalm 23 My shepherd has led me all these 70 years and for this I say, God be praised! There have been many wonderful experiences, times of joy and some sad times along the way. Looking on the bright side, living with helpful, caring Sisters; a bit of humor would bring laughter and a lighter spirit! (On the back of a small card with a copy of her Vows spoken at her Profession, Sr. Phyllis wrote: “The soul of Christ’s spouse must be as a flower inhaling with threefold ascent; Divine Poverty, Gentle Chastity, and Holy Obedience.)
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arch 23, 1925, I was born in Grand Rapids the first of 4 children to Peter A. and Edith Thome Brown, Jr. A brother arrived in 1931 and a sister in 1932. A baby sister completed our family in 1938. In 1934 we moved to Alpine, there to remain as we all grew up. I missed city life, but adapted quickly. I first thought of becoming a Sister when we visited my Aunt, Sister Chrysostom, SSND and my Uncle, Fr. Frank, CSC. After 10th grade at Holy Trinity School I completed high school at Mt. Mercy. My future was a tug between being a Sister or getting married. Visits with the Dominican Sisters at Holy Trinity and a visit with Mother Euphrasia helped set my sights toward religious life. Feb 2, 1946 I entered and began studies at Aquinas College. In August 1946 I made my Profession of Vows and was given the name Sr. Norma of the Sorrowful Mother. After a miraculous healing from leukemia, in 1948, attributed to the intercession of Fr. Solanus, I was sent on my first mission to Traverse City. After 36 years of elementary teaching, summer workshops, and travels, I moved to Marywood. Aquinata became my home in 2009 and Marywood Health Center in 2015. I am pleased with the wonderful care of Sr. Lyida Korson, the nurses, and nurse aides. The days and years slip by so fast. I pray that when this earthly journey is over I will slip into the arms of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to enjoy a grand reunion of family in heaven!
70 years
Dolorita Martinez, OP “...for I know well the plans I have for you, says the Lord.” - Jeremiah 29:11 As I ponder in gratitude the many graces and blessings that have been showered upon me, I have come to discover God’s loving Mercy and an unfolding plan for my life.
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was born in a small mountain village in northern New Mexico, named Truchas. I am the youngest of nine children. I was born into a loving and religious family, and can now look back and see that my vocation was nurtured from the beginning within this family. My parents, Victor and Agueda, never dreamt I would choose religious life, and were as surprised as I was by my calling. After a year of college, at age 19, I joined the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters. I am ever grateful for my Dominican vocation, my loving and supportive family and the privilege of sharing my life with my Dominican Sisters. I am especially grateful for the many and varied opportunites for ministry that have allowed me to share my personal gifts in many diverse communities and locations. I started first as a teacher in Junior High and High School. Early on I was called into Hispanic Ministry. I served on a diocesan and parish level as pastoral life coordinator, evangelizer/preacher, and spiritual director. I have served primarily in immigrant, marginalized Spanish speaking communities, and have been greatly enriched by these experiences.
Women of Grace - Mujer en Gracia is a program where women stand in solidarity with women, recognizing holiness in one another by sharing Scripture, personal lives and walking with them in Spiritual Direction.
I am most grateful for the opportunity for study and travel. I have lived a very full life, and have always been sustained by God’s grace and by the many friends with whom I have lived and/or ministered over these sixty years of religious life. I praise God for all these blessings.
60 years
Ellen Mary Lopez, OP
“My being proclaims the greatness of God.” - Luke 1:46 “Mi alma proclama la grandeza del Señor.” - Lucas 1:46
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thank God for my gift of parents Socorro Barron Lopez and Alejo Lopez, originally from Mexico. I had 7 sisters and 1 brother, Cleofas, Dionicia, Phyllis, Adella, Isabel, Rosie, Joe, and Alice. I was born in Seguin, Texas. But before I was school age, we moved to Saginaw, Michigan. My life has been filled with blessings. It has been a delight to serve God’s people in both the Spanish and English communities through many pastoral, religious education, and hospital ministries. It is necessary to be a liaison between the public school and the migrant youth. They often need the moral support and encouragement to finish high school.
May God bless all those who have touched my life with His Presence. Raquel Martinez proclaiming the Word. To do justice is to enable and empower people who are poor to accept positions of leadership.
60 years
Joanne Toohey, OP I give thanks for the sixty wonderful years as a Grand Rapids Dominican Sister. I mostly appreciate the wonderful educational opportunities I have been given, especially in the study of Scripture. I am grateful for the love and support of my family over the years, for the friendship, love and encouragement of so many sisters with whom I have lived or have become good friends. What a wonderful family!
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n December 1937, my life journey began as the oldest of four children born to Naomi and John Toohey in Essexville, Michigan. The beginning of my educational experience was at St. John Evangelist school where I had the Dominican Sisters for twelve years. Their influence and care brought me to Marywood in September 1955. After three years of formation and education at Aquinas College, I taught middle grades for nineteen years from Beaver Island to Rancho de Taos, New Mexico and many points in between. A highlight of these years was the summers spent on the grounds of St. Paul Seminary enriching my life with Theology and Scripture classes.
Sr. Joanne and her Morning Scripture Class that she started in 1986 upon arriving at Holy Trinity.
In 1978, I was invited to become the Pastoral Minister at Guardian Angels parish in Manistee, Michigan. This was the beginning of thirty years of ministering in parishes where I touched so many lives and so many lives touched mine, especially the senior members of the parish. The thread that weaves through all these years was the enthusiastic groups that were eager to enrich their lives and faith with the Scriptures.
In thanksgiving to the Community for all the opportunities that have enriched my many years of ministry among God’s beautiful people.
60 years
Bernice Garcia, OP I have said often and believe: “Time goes fast when you’re having fun.” I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to be part of so many peoples’ lives, in so many different ways, with wonderful results. My greatest blessing is being part of our Dominican Family of Sisters who have made my life worth living and so fulfilling. I give thanks to God.
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y life began in St. Francis Xavier parish in Albuquerque, New Mexico surrounded by loving parents, five brothers and one sister who really fostered my vocation.These were formative years that prompted me to become a Dominican Sister and eventually a teacher. My years in education in schools in New Mexico and Michigan were interesting and challenging. I taught in schools with staffs ranging from 9 Sisters to 2 Sisters. Teaching four grades at Holy Cross on Beaver Island found me with 16 preparations every day! Serving in Peñasco and Santa Cruz and Albuquerque were wonderful years. Because of my personal interest and the need in the Albuquerque area, I spent years directing Religious Education programs. I also worked with homeless women and their children, began a Ladies Group for widows, worked with Birthright, was Eucharistic minister at a Senior Center, offered Grief counseling and served on Boards. All were wonderful ministries.
Ready to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe in a city wide procession with Indian dancers.
For the past 20 years I have lived in our House on Adams St. where we host meetings, hold parties and welcome visitors to the Land of Enchantment. I have truly been blessed by God.
60 years
Joan Alflen, OP For the next couple decades of my life, I will choose to become closer to my God and serve more unselfishly. I can be a new creation and use the special raw material that is me. I love being older and a little slower because it gives me more time to reflect. It gives me more time to continue to hone these gifts a little more. When I was young, I liked to make people laugh, tell stories, ask ridiculous questions, dance fast, sing songs, draw pictures and meditate on nature wherever it turns up. Yes, I even forget sometimes. May I use this year to show mercy to those in need.
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oday my neighborhood is my ministry. I live in a rural area where neighbors are far apart. I have neighborhood gatherings where people can visit and share. Our Manistee Peace Group, an ecumenical gathering of staunch peacemakers, is high on my agenda. I am also a cantor and member of St. Joseph’s choir in Onekama. I participate in Bible Study and a weekly Adoration hour. Art is my passion and I always have something on display at the local art exibitions. I have created two sets of Peace Posters and some photo cards. Recently, I have started doing Photo Portraits for couples as a gift celebrating their love for each other. Sr. Joan pictured with Coming Down the Mountain, a painting she did while on sabbatical in Mexico.
60 years
Doris Faber, OP Jubilee…shout with joy to God for my one, wild, wonderful life! All has been GIFT! My parents, sisters and brothers, Dominican family, teachers, friends, and the persons of various ages, cultures, geography, and faiths -- All have abundantly blessed my years. For past and ongoing spiritual and intellectual offerings, for travel experiences, for outdoor adventures and active sports, for health and energy – there is so much to be thankful for. My life’s desire has been and is -- to praise, to bless, and to preach by my presence, actions, and words, the love of Jesus Christ.
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was born on February 1, 1937, the last of twelve children, at our farm home near Beal City, Michigan. The Dominican Sisters taught me in the first two grades; the remaining years were in public education with religion classes worked into the day or week. I attended Central Michigan College for a year and worked in an office during the summer with plans to return to college in the fall with a new major. In July a Dominican Sister I had met on a high school trip invited me to consider a religious vocation. That was my CALL, not one I had considered or desired, but one that was strong and encouraging. My new life’s journey with the Grand Rapids Dominicans began September 3, 1955. After thirteen years of teaching high school, I began parish and campus ministry, which took me to New Mexico, Alaska, South Carolina, Idaho, West Virginia, and Montana. All has been GIFT! May my heart and hands always be ready to share God’s faithful love each day.
As part of her Vocation Ministry, Sr. Doris welcomes a group of 3rd Graders to visit and tour the Marywood Campus.
60 years
Ann Porter, OP We heard the Bishop ask, “What do you ask?” and we novices, lying prostrate on the cold terrazzo floor, answered, “God’s Mercy and yours.” As sixty years have gone by, our bodies might not as easily get down on the floor, nor, (heavens!) get up, but our answer is still the same, “God’s Mercy and yours.”
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od’s Mercy gave me Mom and Dad, John and Jim, and many more who were my first teachers in the Faith. Growing up in Custer, where Catholics were few, showed me that God’s Mercy was alive in our Protestant neighbors too. From day one, I loved books, the Church, and music. Sister Aquin and the other Dominican faculty at Aquinas had a great influence on my decision to enter Marywood. They radiated a spirit of goodness, love for one another, and joy in teaching. God’s Mercy then brought together this motley crew of girls, the “class of 55 - the raggedy remnant!” We are - Dolorita, Bernice, Joan, Joanne, Doris, Ellen Mary, Rosemary, and me.
Frankfort Associate Gathering
Mercy strengthened me as I made my first lesson plans and faced my first Latin classes. God’s mercy took me to Bay City, Detroit, Guatemala, Sawmill, to persons who stretched my vision of God’s world. God’s Mercy gave me a Dominican family to grow up in, with the community emboldened by prayer and action to strive for justice and peace. God’s Mercy is the word I can offer to inmates at our local prison and to our beautiful Associates as they grow into their Dominican vocation.
God’s Mercy has blessed me with a priest brother who is my daily inspiration. A great Mercy this year has been the revelation that in each and every Holy Communion we receive the Mercy of Jesus, his Heart bruised for us, pumping His life into us, the body of Christ. Yes, the Name of God is Mercy. And now, God’s Mercy accompanies us after sixty years, as our active work on the Missions has changed to a more contemplative life. And with trusting hearts, my hope is that in God’s time, His Mercy will take us all to Heaven!
60 years
Rosemary O’Donnell, OP Choose life…by loving the Lord your God, heeding his voice and holding fast to him. - Deuteronomy 30:19-20 60 years ago I chose to heed God’s voice in calling me to religious life with the Grand Rapids Dominicans. I am deeply grateful for all those who have supported me on this journey, my family and friends and my Dominican Sisters who have shared with me the joys and sorrows of seeking God’s will in serving His people.
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entered this life on June 15, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois the youngest of three children born to John and Florence O’Donnell. Daily prayer, devotion to Mary, and attending Sunday Mass as a family were important influences on my life. My education began with the Adrian Dominicans at St. Columbanus School in Chicago. In 1944 my family moved to Muskegon, Michigan where I met the Grand Rapids Dominicans. Inspired by the advice of a retreat director in my senior year at Muskegon Catholic Central, I entered the Grand Rapids Dominicans on September 8, 1955. Teaching high school was my assigned ministry. For 12 years I directed forensics and debate and taught a variety of high school classes in the Grand Rapids and Saginaw Dioceses. In 1971, I continued my teaching ministry at Aquinas College, working with many wonderful and talented colleagues. I remained at Aquinas until my retirement in 2014. Over the years I have appreciated the opportunity to teach students from a variety of settings: rural farming communities, mixed ethnic/ racial backgrounds, and urban middle-class. I feel that these experiences have given me a better understanding of the many faces of God that He has called me to serve.
60 years
Susan Keller, OP 50 Years!! A time to reflect, a time for ritual, a time for celebration. For me a time of THANKSGIVING. This may seem difficult to believe, but I cannot find words to adequately express my deep gratitude for all the loving Sisterly support I have received over these fifty years. I have been deeply blessed. My Dominican vocation, my very caring and beautiful family and friends. ALL - gifts of God. For all that has been, thanks! For all that will be, yes!
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y life story began in Alpena on July 1, 1947, daughter of Don and Shirley Standen Keller. My mother contracted deadly polio in 1950. Yes, I was three years old. I grew through childhood, teen years and adolescence under the faithful care of my father and the home of my gracious grandparents. FAMILY - saving gift of God! I attended St. Anne School and Catholic Central where the Sisters became my inspiration. By the grace of God, I joined them, the GR Dominicans, in 1965.
Following professional preparation at Aquinas and Central Michigan, I taught elementary As part of her ministry, school for 12 years. Interest in health care Sr. Susan oversees the prompted me to switch gears to ministry with the booking and care of the sick and dying. Ten years of Social Services and Sister Guest rooms, with Pastoral Care at Villa Elizabeth, 6 years at Home the help of Srs. Josine Schafer (top) and Verona of Hope, the first in-patient hospice in Grand Rapids, 10 years as Pastoral Associate at St. Wangler (bottom). Pius X, Grandville, preceded my present ministry serving the Sisters and residents at my own home - Marywood. Forever grateful for 50 years in God’s service and with renewed spirit, I welcome each new day. “Here I am Lord, send me.”
50 years
Nancy Brousseau, OP Reflecting on these many years as a Dominican, my heart is filled with gratitude for God’s gracious call to live with passion and grace this most amazing Mystery. And what a gift, to do so with all who have been and are my contemplative companions in the Holy Preaching – Laus Deo!
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ancy Marie Brousseau, OP born in Alpena to Kenneth and Dorothy Brousseau, was baptized at St. Anne’s Parish and attended St. Anne School and Catholic Central. She was the middle child between a sister and brother. She had aunts and cousins in religious life, so an early interest was always there. As a tenth grade student, she was invited to visit Marywood for the profession of the sister of a classmate. That visit awakened with clarity the call to Dominican life. After high school Nancy entered the community in 1965. She earned an MA in Religious Education at Aquinas, an M.Div. from St. John’s (now Sacred Heart) Seminary in Detroit and a D.Min. in Spiritual Direction. She taught elementary school for 17 years and loved the 7th and 8th grade students in particular, and also served six years in school administration. Interest in spirituality led her to an internship in the Spiritual Exercises with Jesuits in Detroit and Retreat/Spiritual Direction ministry beginning in 1981. Nancy had a passion for awakening adults to the fire of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives. This ministry led her to Des Moines, Iowa as Director of St. Joseph Educational Center and then to Dominican Center at Marywood for eleven years offering spiritual formation opportunities at both of these centers and elsewhere. Her experience of doing group spiritual direction with the street people of the Heartside Neighborhood in Grand Rapids is published in “Group Spiritual Direction: The Lived Experience” by Paulist Press. In 2009, she was invited by the Lutheran Synod, ELCA to become Facilitator of Living Fire Ministries offering retreats, spiritual direction, workshops and programs in prayer, spirituality and spiritual formation for the Synod and for other churches and organizations. She was truly enlivened by this ecumenical work. The group of Christian, Muslim and Jewish members offered many dialogue/dinner events for the community. In 1997, Nancy began designing and leading annual international pilgrimages to Europe and the Middle East as part of the spiritual formation programming. She delighted in opening this way of the contemplative study of saints and mystics.
50 years
Carol Gilbert, OP Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary use words. - St. Francis of Assisi Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. - MLK My “question” is the quest I’m on. - Sam Keene I have gratitude for all that has been and say yes to the future!
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was born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan in 1947. I entered the Dominican community in 1965 and graduated with a BA degree from Aquinas College. My ministry began in 1969 as a junior high teacher. For 14 years I was missioned in Saginaw where I worked in an inner city Latch Key program, helped begin Advocacy for Justice and the Home for Peace and Justice. As my awareness of injustices grew I joined campaigns to stop the Midland Nuclear Power Plant, JROTC, help young men with conscientious objection to the draft, stop the MX Missile System, remove 660 nuclear weapons from Michigan, oppose the Contra War in Nicaragua with Witness for Peace, and helped organize Michigan Faith and Resistance Retreats.
Carol Gilbert, OP, John LaForge, and Ardeth Platte, OP bannering during the UN Disarmament Conference for the abolition of nuclear weapons across from the UN in May 2015.
For 5 years I lived and witnessed at Michigan’s Two Strategic Air Command Bases until they were closed. I lived in a Catholic Worker community, worked to stop ELF (N-Trident trigger submarine system) in the Upper Peninsula, and worked with abused women.
Since 1995, I have lived as a member of the Jonah House Community in Baltimore, Maryland. This is an intentional community for non-violent study and actions to oppose nuclear weapons and wars. We offer college student retreats teaching non-violence, community and resistance, care for gardens and orchards; we sponsor a food pantry and I continue to strive to be vegetarian-vegan. Willing to pay the price of incarceration for my beliefs, I have spent years in courts, jails, and prisons as I speak truth to power in order to beat swords into plowshares.
50 years
Dorothy Ederer, OP “Be Who God Meant you to be and you will set the World on Fire!” - St. Catherine of Siena If it wasn’t for my sister Jeanne, who inspired me to enter religious life, I would not be celebrating 50 years of religious life. To her I will always be grateful for seeing in me things I was not aware of. My life has been one wonderful adventure after another. I am thankful for all the people who have supported me and challenged me to use my gifts and talents. I am who I am today because people believed in me and encouraged me to become all that God has called me to be.
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was born in Saginaw, Michigan. There are seven children in our family, five girls and two boys. I have a brother who is a priest. My ministry began in St. Charles, Michigan as a 5th and 6th grade teacher and then principal for the second year, while teaching. My third year I went to Our Lady of Grace in Dearborn Heights, Michigan to teach 8th graders, was a Cheerleading coach and liturgist. Seven years later I went on to Chesaning, Michigan to be a liturgist and teach 8th graders. A phone call one morning after prayers led me to move to St. Thomas More Student Parish in Kalamazoo, Michigan to work as a campus minister with Fr. John Grathwohl for 13 years! It was one of my greatest times in campus ministry. I received a phone call from Fr. Joseph F. Girzone, the author of the “Joshua” books, to work for the Joshua Foundation in New York preaching Jesus’ message all over the world. I met people and accomplished things I never dreamt I could. After nine years I was offered a position as campus minister at St. Mary’s student parish in Ann Arbor, for the University of Michigan. After eight years, I was invited to be the Director of campus ministry at St. John Student parish serving Michigan State University. My 24 years as a campus minister has been most fulfilling! Currently I am writing books, counseling, giving talks and retreats. As I reflect on my life as a Dominican, these 50 years of serving Jesus have brought forth gifts in me I never knew I had. For this I will always be grateful.
50 years
Phyllis Supancheck, OP
Lord, you formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me. - Psalm 139 God has led me in ways that I could never dream of doing or being. Praise God!
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t has been a long journey toward my life with the Grand Rapids Dominicans. I had belonged to a congregation for 28 years in the Los Angeles area, taught there in an elementary school for 17 years, worked with resettling persons from Vietnam and Central America, taught in the local seminary, worked with catechists of Developmentally Disabled Persons for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and taught in local universities.
After getting my doctorate in education I applied and accepted a position as Associate Professor in the education department of Aquinas College. This was the first contact I The Joy of Teaching! Sr. Phyllis pictured above had with the Dominicans of Grand Rapids. I with one of her students. was offered the opportunity to live with the Sisters while I worked at the college. This was the beginning of a wonderful experience with the Sisters whom I have grown to love. To serve with them has been a privilege.
50 years
Our celebrants are contemplative, hope-filled women committed to the Word of God and the Holy Preaching. „ They live with a passion for Truth and Justice following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. „ Their lives are a testimony of the Pillars of Dominican Life and Mission: Prayer. Community. Study. Service. „ We remember with fondness the many Jubilarians who celebrate with us bathed in the glory of Eternal Life. „ Let us celebrate the faithful service of these women.
2025 Fulton Street East Grand Rapids, MI 49503 grdominicans.org