Enlivened by the Springs of
Relationship. Contemplation. Plenitude.
Be gentle with yourself for you are living through a major expression of your faith and how to use it in the world. You are rewriting decades of old beliefs and shifting how you live your life. This is no small feat. It is ok to feel uncomfortable. Great change often brings with it discomfort and second guessing. Do not shrink from this mission. Not now. You are changing and your Divine Self is lighting the way.
Teilhard de Chardin, 1881–1955
On the Cover: We walk together in the footsteps of Dominic, steeped in the Word, eager to serve, open to transformation, inside and out. Pictured is the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids Leadership Team 2024-2030: Cover (top row left to right):
Sisters Megan McElroy, Mary Donnelly, (bottom row) Kathi Sleziak, Diane Zerfas
A Letter from the Prioress
Dear Friends,
In the Dominican tradition we believe that the power of faith and presence can transform society. The heart of transformation is the Holy Spirit at work in our midst.
Earlier this year, our Congregation held its 34th Chapter and elected new leadership who will serve until July 1, 2030. During Chapter we considered the needs of our Congregation and our world, making space to welcome and even embrace change.
Change like living amongst new neighbors who will arrive later this fall at Academy Manor Apartments. We are eager to be present to the new residents and to show them our famous Dominican hospitality! We know that the way of love, especially amidst change, is hard work. Yet Jesus asks us to be in relationship with one another; to sit at the table, find common ground, work through our differences, celebrate our diversity, and then put in a table-leaf to include more people—and then begin again.
It takes courage, risk, and vulnerability to encounter those with different opinions, stances, and beliefs. We are all called to evolve, and such is no small feat.
We hope you are inspired by this issue of Mission & Ministry. As you walk with us, we invite you to contemplate our shared vision: Enlarging the table at which we sit.
In closing, I leave you with these words from 19th Century prophet and poet, Tahirih. … to believe deeply in the transformation of society that we dedicate our lives to laying down the building blocks of a better world.
A world we may not even live to see.
We understand the power that sacrifice has in awakening a collective consciousness.
In every moment,
we too can bravely choose to do the next right thing, knowing that we are planting seeds that will grow into trees under whose branches future generations will find justice and peace.
With Love & Hopefulness,
Megan McElroy, OP
Sister Megan McElroy OP Prioress
“A General Chapter is an awesome and solemn responsibility for each of us, as well as a blessed event in the history of our religious community. While the task for the Chapter delegates is gigantic, it is one to which we address ourselves in faith and hope.”
~ Sr. Aquinas Weber, 1973
Healing and Hope Can Flow Like a River
The future holds God’s plan and possibilities for us and for our mission.
Discernment of how the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids can offer our presence as a gift and blessing to the world was the guiding intention of this 34th Chapter, informed over months by contemplative dialogue with Sisters, Associates, and lay directors.
Enlarging our “table” in this way was a first. Sisters sensed that these voices and experiences would be invaluable to exploring present realities and our hopes for the future. From these conversations, a new Chapter Statement was written, setting our vision for the next six years, 2024-2030.
Collectively, Sisters identified three sources of energy — now included in our Chapter Statement — that we can draw upon to guide, enlighten, and inform our decisions and preaching.
Relationship
Contemplation
Plenitude
Democratically, Sisters elected our new Leadership Team, well-prepared to embrace these energies.
Believing deeply in the power of collective consciousness,
Sisters envisioned a future where healing and hope can flow like a river.
In July during the Installation of the new Leadership Team, Prioress Megan McElroy, OP, addressed the Sisters, saying, “Our world in so many ways and in so many places, in so many hearts and in so many bodies, is crying out for help.
“Do we dare to respond to the cry? Do we dare to risk asking the question “How can I help? How can we help?
“It’s the question, I think, that is at the heart of Jesus’ life and ministry. Our God, recognizing that people are hurting, are in need of care and compassion. Let such help and assistance, healing and hope, flow like a river.”
The future holds God’s plan and possibilities for us and for our mission.
We have faith that we have a place in that plan, as do you, as does every human being.
As the water of rivers, lakes, and seas sustains and unites us in creation, so the waters of Baptism welcome us to abundant life and call us to birth a world of healing and hope, compassion and justice.
Immersed in the Source of Life, we take a long loving look at the world’s joys and sorrows. Drinking from the well of gratitude, we share God’s abundant love, mercy, and joy.
Enlivened by the springs of new life, we walk together in kinship with all of Earth community praising, blessing, and preaching the saving grace of God.
Thank You, Sisters, for Sharing your Gifts
Our Dominican Prioresses and Council
Members throughout our history have been women of Vision, led by the Spirit of God.
Their decisions flowed from a deep spirituality and trust in God, a consideration of the signs of the times, and the demands for justice and peace-making.
From 2018-2024, Sandra Delgado, prioress; Joan Williams, vicaress; Maureen Geary, councilor; and Megan McElroy, councilor, faithfully led our Congregation.
Join us in thanking them for sharing their gifts. We ask God’s blessings on their future ministries.
You, oh God of Wisdom, have led our Congregation by using the gifts and talents of these four women. You have helped us widen the stakes of our tent and stretch to see our neighbor in need and respond with all the resources of heart, body, of time, and talents.
Your grace has been lavish—guiding us into a renewed sense of mission, carried out in the name of your Son, Jesus, the Christ, Amen.
~ Prayer of Thanksgiving
Sisters Joan Williams, Sandra Delgado, Maureen Geary, and Megan McElroy
2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Foundation Grants Focus on Needs of Unhoused in Michigan
By Alyssa Morillo Scheidt
“The rising issue of homelessness is one facing our entire country, and an issue that is of paramount importance in West Michigan... With your help, we can save lives this winter by protecting unhoused individuals, youth, children, and families from extreme, life-threatening temperatures.”
– from an open letter to the West Michigan community issued November 27, 2023 by local nonprofit leaders in housing and supportive services.
Inspired by the Dominican Sisters longstanding commitment to respond to the needs of the world, the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters Foundation launched its first year of grantmaking with awards to three Michigan organizations that serve people in need of shelter.
At the annual meeting last April, the Foundation’s board of directors approved grants of ten thousand dollars each to AYA Youth Collective and Well House, both in Grand Rapids, and to Emmaus House in Saginaw.
“We are profoundly inspired by these organizations whose teams work tirelessly to address homelessness and to meet the needs of our unhoused neighbors,” said Foundation board president Sr. Megan McElroy, OP, “We are grateful to partner with them in their efforts, which reflect our Sisters’ deep commitment to care for the common good.”
The Foundation makes grants annually to organizations whose missions align with the Sisters’ values and with the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching. Grantmaking is focused on those areas where Dominican Sisters have a long and storied history of ministry including:
• Care of Earth
• Education of children and adults
• Helping alleviate the stresses of poverty
• Peace and justice endeavors
• Quality health care
• Spiritual formation and pastoral ministry
To learn more, including how you might get involved, contact Alyssa at 616.514.3110 or amorilloscheidt@grdominicans.org.
Foundation board members Sisters Joan Williams, Sandra Delgado, and Maureen Geary, at a recent groundbreaking celebration for Well House.
AYA Youth Collective’s VP of Advancement, Andy Allen, shares the impact of their work with unhoused youth during the 2024 Dollars FORE Dominicans golf outing.
Nourishing Faith through Lamentation
Mindy Hills, DMin, Director, Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College
On a crisp and sunny Saturday morning in October in Chapel of the Word at Marywood, we gathered for a Lamentation Retreat.
Father Jim Marchionda, OP, used history, story, music, and prayer to deepen our understanding of lamentation and a love that knows no boundaries.
He invited us to devote time together celebrating the One who loves us more than we can dare imagine through lamentation, a spiritual practice that is somewhat of a lost form. During lamentation, either communal or individual, we are encouraged to name what breaks our hearts.
“Sometimes, child, suffering is suffering. It just is. Even when you run from the pain. God sees you,” preached Father Jimmy.
“Lamentation is what faithfulness looks and sounds like when we mourn.”
“Engaged contemplative prayer does what nothing else can do. It sustains us in God’s presence with our agony and our rage.”
Somehow, we have been taught even in our prayers to avoid feelings. Lament is a spiritual practice of expressing grief, sorrow, pain, and confusion. There can be no healing, no praise, not true rejoicing until we have stopped running away from mourning. We must feel to heal.
Citing Adam Bucko, author of Radical Resilience, we were reminded: “Let your heartbreak be your guide.”
Think of lamentation as a stage in the journey. “Resilience is about the life of God flowing through us, remaking us into something that is whole and reflects God.”
Referencing Richard Rohr, OFM, Father Jimmy said: “Lament is truth-telling that engages the heart and mind… it has a dangerous edge… it’s not just a complaint to God, but about God.
“Could it be that lamenting well can lead us back to praise… a praise even more profound than our sorrow?” asked Father Jimmy.
Psalms and scriptures invite us into the prayer of lament. A psalm of lament is an address to God: a complaint, a request and usually an expression of trust. This appeal might indicate concerns with God’s action or inaction based on our trust of God’s character.
Jesus gave us an example of lamentation as he hung on the cross: `My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ Psalm 22:1-2
Do we give ourselves permission to lament when we come together in prayer? Father Jimmy suggested there is power in community lamentation when one is not necessarily experiencing lament in his or her own life. “Coming together can foster strength, unity, and even a hopeful joy as we remember together God’s faithfulness.”
Contemplative prayer, a very Dominican value, does what nothing else can do for us. It sustains us in God’s presence. It leads us to the place where we are held by God. This prayer form is described as a dance between the Word and silence, where openness to God is encouraged.
This is why contemplative prayer is integral in the formative experiences that our spiritual directors are encouraged to practice as they journey through Foundations in Spirituality and the first and second years of the Practicum intensives.
“Lament can give us a language of worship… allowing emotions to rush forward,” said Father Jimmy, as he invited us to sing the familiar hymn, How Can I Keep from Singing “This song summarizes how, when we remain faithful, we are sustained in God’s holy embrace.
“Throughout history and especially relevant in today’s world of chaotic destruction, loss and despair, God is there among the weeds and wounds of the world, whispering to us.”
Using his giftedness as a composer and musician during this retreat, Father Jimmy led participants through an experience of prayer, praise, lament, and then back to praise.
As you are moved, sample a reflection from our retreat. Sing, hum, or read along to the hymn below. What feelings arise in you?
“My life flows on in endless song. Above earth’s lamentation. I hear the real though far-off hymn. That hails a new creation.
No
storm can shake my inmost calm, While to that rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, How can I keep from singing?”
Building a Lasting Legacy…Together!
When you include either Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids or the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters Foundation in your will or estate plans, our legacies are linked! You help us build a future together—a future of preaching justice, pursuing truth, and praying for peace.
With your bequest gift, you join more than fifty other members of our Veritas Society. Members receive special opportunities to connect with the Sisters, invitations to favorite events, and a small gift of gratitude.
Are you ready to join us?
Contact Alyssa Morillo Scheidt with questions or for more information: 616.514.3110 or amorilloscheidt@grdominicans.org.
Celebrating our 2024 Jubilarians
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 and Associate’s YES, each day, enhances the whole community.
“Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”
~ John 7:38
Mary Aquinas Weber OP, 80 Years
“My prayer for all is embodied in Paul’s letter to the Colossians 1:9-12: “I ask that you may be filled with knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from God’s glorious power and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks.”
Edith Kahler OP, 75 Years
“I thank God for all His blessings and pray each day for peace.”
Rose Mary Belanger OP, 75 Years
“You will show me the path of life, The fullness of joy in your presence, Happiness at your right hand.”
~ Psalm 16
Margaret Kienstra OP, 70 Years
“I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
~ John 10:10
Catherine Anderson OP, 70 Years
“I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.”
~ John 10:10
Julia Nellett OP, 60 Years
“There is a time for everything.”
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1
Robert Ann Erno OP, 70 Years
“0 give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”
~ Psalm 105
Marilyn Holmes OP, 60 Years
“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you, live on in my love.”
Mary Navarre OP, 60 Years
“The story is not ended, the cloth is still on the loom.”
~ Sheila Flynn OP
Elizabeth Bishop OP, 70 Years
“For I know well the plans I have for you, says the Lord.”
~ Jeremiah 29:11
Maxine Plamondon OP, 60 Years
“Thanks be to God! Know that I have been blessed to be chosen as a witness to others in my daily life.”
Rita Wenzlick OP, 70 Years
“God has done great things for me!”
Constance Fifelski OP, 60 Years
“My life flows on in endless song... How can I keep from singing?”
Read the Jubilarian stories online at grdominicans.org/dominican-sisters-grandrapids-2024-jubilarians/
Dominican Associate Jubilarians
Jean MacDonald, Associate, 25 Years
“Twenty-five years as an Associate? Impossible! Wait! “With God all things are possible.’”
~ Matthew 19:26
Jan Murphy, Associate, 25 Years
“See! I will not forget you… I have carved you on the palm of my hand.”
~ Isaiah 49:15
Patricia Madura, Associate, 25 Years
“I am so thankful to all of you who have helped me on this journey.”
Raelynn Stein, Associate, 25 Years
“May my eyes and my heart be open to His ways as I continue this journey. In my daily prayers, I ask Jesus to help me see with his eyes the opportunities in my day to spread His message of love. May my eyes and my heart be open to His ways as I continue this journey.”
“We live in a very introverted society, which is always focusing on me, me, me. I think the great challenge, if you are going to be alive, is sometimes the great liberation of forgetting yourself – that’s when you discover in other people their need for your love, and their need for your trust.”
~ Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP
AN ASSOCIATE HEART IS A SERVANT HEART — SO NEEDED IN OUR WORLD TODAY.
Our mission is to Preach in all ways through Prayer, Justice, Community, Service, Joy, and Study. Touched by the Holy One, we journey in solidarity with the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids and with one another. Connecting and collaborating in Christian mission and spirituality, we embrace the Dominican charism emboldened by faith, serving with joy.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ASSOCIATE LIFE grdominicans.org
Offering Courage to Others
“Both Sister Marie Carla Moeggenborg and I have Parkinson’s Disease,” says Phyllis Supancheck, OP. “In my generation: Sisters Marguerite Cool, Mary Ellen McDonald, Jean Reimer, and Marie Celeste Miller also had it.”
“Parkinson’s is a progressive disease that affects each person differently. I am mobile and do everything I can to stay involved and as healthy as possible,” says Sister Phyllis.
Sister Marie Carla was diagnosed in 2012. “I had tremors, I felt unsteady when walking, my handwriting was so small even I could not make out the words. The wonderful aromas from the kitchen, the tastes — I was no longer able to enjoy them. And yet I ignored so many of these signs.”
“It took courage for me to enter this phase of my health history. My symptoms, tremors and falls, are no longer private. There is no cure in sight; I live in the challenges offered each day, as do many. Joining a Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation support group was a tremendous help. Now my ministry is to welcome new people to the group and help others navigate this disease.”
The Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation is dedicated to helping people access services and care, often at no cost. They empower care partners, families, and healthcare professionals, too. Both Sisters Marie Carla and Phyllis have led Hero Walk teams to help raise funds and awareness.
MOTH Publishes
“It’s
Not What You Wear”
Laurena Alflen knew in 7th grade that she wanted to be a vowed religious sister. Growing up in a devout Catholic family in Michigan, her path led from 1st Communion to Grand Rapids Dominican Sister, to music teacher and choir director, to band teacher and band member, to artist in her 70s.
Now, 92 years old, 73 years a Sister, Sister Laurena has wisdom and experience to share.
Sr. Laurena first told her story LIVE AT THE MOTH at Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2015. It is now available online at themoth.org.
Sr. Marie Carla Moeggenborg spoke at the Hero Walk in Lansing in 2023; and later cheered her team on.
Sr. Phyllis Supancheck walked a mile wearing a big smile.
By Diane Zerfas, OP
From Darkness into Light
The O Antiphons are the Evening Prayers of the Liturgy of the Hours for the days leading up to the celebration of the Incarnation at Christmas. This is the darkest time of the year in the northern hemisphere, so we begin our O Antiphons prayers in darkness each of the seven nights. A single candle leads our opening procession representing the coming of the Light of Christ into the world. As those gathered light their candles, we are reminded that the Light of Christ is spread through our living according to Christ’s way in our daily activities.
As early as the 6th century, the Christian community has been praying the O Antiphons. The Dominican Community has celebrated O Antiphons for over 30 years.
This solemn prayer has been memorialized in the verses of O Come, O Come Emmanuel, a most familiar Advent hymn. On the seven nights before Christmas Eve, we gather for Evening Prayer, and we sing a verse that highlights one of the titles of the coming Messiah.
Each antiphon begins with the call “O” so that we can hear our longing for God’s presence and care for us, personally, and for our world. O God, O Promised Savior, O Loving Power: our prayer names our deepest desire and holy longing. Come, O long-awaited Messiah. This is truly the Advent prayer and the best preparation for Christmas, the birthday of the Christ Child and the Savior of the World.
Artwork by Sister Lisa Marie Lazio, OP
We know you will be inspired by this holy prayer time and the preaching of guest presenters each night. Join us in-person or online — 30 minutes each night for seven nights.
December 17 – O Wisdom
God knows the needs of the human heart. God has provided the gifts of the created world for us. God has a plan. Trust the wisdom of God to show us how to live and to bless us with what we really need.
December 18 – O Sacred Lord of Ancient Israel, O Adonai
The Lord of the Burning Bush continues to shine into the darkness of our days. God’s commands give us a blueprint of how to live holy, happy lives of peace and freedom.
December 19 – O Flower of Jesse’s Stem
From the root of Jesse, King David’s father, another Ruler will blossom and come to set us free. This promised Savior will be the true Ruler of our lives and hearts.
December 20 – O Key of David
Each person and all peoples are held captive in prisons of pain and suffering. The Messiah will hold the key to our freedom from sin and death.
December 21 – O Radiant Dawn (the longest night of the year)
The Light of Joy is coming. The Night will not last forever. There is an eternal light on our horizon giving us direction and hope.
December 22 – O King of all the Nations
This King will not be an earthly king but a Ruler who will provide a keystone of balance and will lift us from the dust of creation to shine like the Sun.
December 23 – O Emmanuel
God with us, God within us, God around us, we know that you have come and are coming again to set us free. You hold us in your mercy, and your desire for us becomes our desire for You.
While there is no cost to join us, registration is required. Visit grdominicans.org/O-Antiphons or call 616.514.3106.
111 Lakeside Drive NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.2910
grdominicans.org
dominicancenter.com
About Us
The Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids are a community of vowed women religious and Associates who follow the Catholic traditions of St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena. Since 1877 we have been praising, blessing, and preaching God’s love through all we do.
Campus Contacts
• Administration & Leadership –616.459.2910
• Aquinata Hall – 616.259.1703
• Archives – 616.514.3313
• Associate Life – 616.514.3115
• Communications – 616.514.3455
• Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College – 616.514.3325
• Facilities – 616.514.3343
• Finance – 616.514.3318
• Human Resources – 616.514.3322
• Mission Advancement – 616.514.3110
Mission & Ministry Editorial Team
• Megan McElroy, OP – Prioress
• Danny Lynn – Art Director
• Stacy Spitler – Editor/Contributor
• Alyssa Morillo Scheidt, Contributor
All photos are from the Archives of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids (DSGR) unless otherwise noted.
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Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids Dominican Center
Join us for a seven-night experience of prayer, music, and preaching. In-person or online, for one or all nights. While there is no cost to attend, registration is required. Visit grdominicans.org/O-Antiphons or call 616.514.3106.
December 17–23, 2024 at 7:00 pm Chapel of the Word at Marywood
• Tuesday, December 17 – O Wisdom
Guest Speaker: Rev. Kyle Kooyers, Kaufman Interfaith Institute
• Wednesday, December 18 – O Adonai
Guest Speaker: Rev. BJ Heyboer, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Newaygo
• Thursday, December 19 – O Root of Jesse
Guest Speaker: Fr. Bill Edens CSP, Cathedral of Saint Andrew
• Friday, December 20 – O Key of David
Guest Speakers: Gabriella Ciccantelli, Leah Nawrocki, Lindy Perez, Recent Aquinas College Graduates and Social Justice Advocates
• Saturday, December 21 – O Radiant Dawn
Guest Speaker: Dr. Phillip Johnson, Spiritual Director, Psychotherapist, and Dominican Associate
• Sunday, December 22 – O Ruler of Nations
Guest Speaker: Bridget Clark Whitney, Kids Food Basket
• Monday, December 23 – O Emmanuel
Guest Speaker: Teresa Burns, Dominican Center Marywood