&
mission
ministry
dominican sisters ~ grand rapids
emboldened by faith, serving with joy
Marywood Campus Initiative • Collaborations
Fall 2011 • Vol. IV
Aquinas 125th Anniversary college blessing and rededication Sisters help Aquinas College launch a year-long 125th anniversary celebration. . . A liturgical blessing and rededication ceremony formally launched Aquinas College’s yearlong 125th anniversary celebration last month. As hundreds of celebrants converged on campus, four groups of faculty, staff, alumni, Dominican Sisters and friends of the college led a procession with percussion accompaniment and song to the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Holmdene lawn. Each group represented one of the four charisms (core values) – prayer, service, study and community – of Dominican life and the college. More photographs of this event and brief video are available on the Aquinas website http://www.aquinas.edu/125/prayer.html The celebration continued with a Sunday Mass September 18 at Saint Andrew’s Cathedral. Bishop Walter A. Hurley presided at the Eucharist and led a prayer for the gift that is Aquinas College and its heritage of providing a quality Catholic college education past, present and future.
Sponsorships Dominican Chapel Marywood Dominican Center Marywood Spiritual Formation Program Retreats/Conferences/Seminars/ Workshops
The Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids share a rich history with the college. Many Sisters have served in teaching and administrative roles in the past and continue to do so to this day ~ Mary Navarre, OP
Associate Program Prayer and Listening Line
Ministries Education/Health Care/Chaplaincy Parish and Diocesan Ministry Partners in Parenting WORD Project ESL Program Marywood Home Health Maternidad, Chimbote, Peru San Pedro Sula Ministry, Honduras
Advocacy Advocacy for Justice Care of Earth Culture of Peace Global Partnership Ending Homelessness
top: Monsignor Gaspar Ancona leads the College Blessing. middle: Mary Navarre, OP explains the significance of the century-old cross rescued from Holy Angels convent in Traverse City. With President of Aquinas College, Juan Olivarez, Ph.D. bottom: The Academic Processional is led by Rosemary ODonnell, OP, faculty marshall.
from the prioress
Dear Friends, This issue of Mission & Ministry is especially significant to the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids because it gets to the heart of our collaboration heritage, with an emphasis on “heart.” Our tradition of serving as educators implies collaboration, of course. And our early history in Grand Rapids gave us significant outreach in ministering to orphans. But our collaborative efforts today go far beyond what we would have dreamed to achieve only a few years ago due, I believe, to an ever-strengthening unity of spirit among Sisters and the people they work with and serve. In looking at a variety of definitions for “collaboration,” I was struck by one in particular that really seems to capture our approach. “Unity is strength. . . When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” These words come from a very insightful and wise poet named Mattie Stepanek, who died from a rare form of muscular dystrophy at 13. What Mattie knew at a very young age and what many of us have learned over time is that when we share our gifts with others the rewards can be even more wonderful. When we share our beautiful Marywood campus in a new collaboration with Porter Hills Retirement Communities, we ensure that our Sisters can age in place and minister to other seniors as well. When we collaborate with an arts academy in southwest Grand Rapids, a library is born. When we collaborate with advocates to end homelessness, we help put a roof over many heads in our community. When we join forces with a community college, acquisition of English and citizenship becomes more than a dream for many. And who would have guessed that we could parlay some land we owned in New Mexico into educational and social ministries, including tuition for young people who would not otherwise have been able to receive a quality Catholic education. You will read about these and several other similar projects in this special issue. And in this season of Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for all of the wonderful collaborators who have given us strength through unity. May your Thanksgiving blessings be bountiful, Nathalie Meyer, OP Prioress
emboldened by faith, serving with joy
Redefining the Marywood Ministry
~ Christine Ervin
collaboration with porter hills will allow sisters to age “Experts in aging make a distinction between passive aging and purposeful aging. Successful, purposeful aging calls for continued involvement, relationships, discipline, and an attitude of faith.” George Sweeting, writing in The Joys of Successful Aging
S
everal years ago, the Leadership Team of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids was faced with an inevitable reality: the majority of their Sisters on the beautiful, historical campus of Marywood were aged 70 and older. Resources for long-term care were limited and further depleted by the state’s and the nation’s economic downturn. It was the “graying of America” as a microcosm, with many of the same dilemmas most caregivers of older adults are facing these days: How do we accommodate an individual’s desire to “age in place?” How do we preserve a vibrant quality of life for as long as possible? How do we balance the need for individualized, optimum health care with cost constraints? And, in the case of the Dominican Sisters, how do we maintain the spiritual element that defines the Sisters, their relationship with God and their ministries? As they looked at many options, it appeared to the Leadership Team that the historically collaborative Dominicans needed a collaborator on a grand scale – a strategic partner to help them further develop the treasure that is Marywood into a viable, faith-based eldercare oasis. The goal was to extend the spiritual, hospitable Dominican life further into the Grand Rapids community and generate revenue in the process.
Marywood Health Center
“Over many months, we looked at a number of independent, assisted living and skilled nursing organizations and while all of them had strengths, we felt that Porter Hills Retirement Communities & Services seemed very well aligned with our spiritual way of life,” said Prioress Nathalie Meyer. “They have been providing a continuum of care for older adults for more than 40 years and are faith-based through their affiliation with the Presbyterian Church.” Earlier this year, a collaborative agreement was forged between the two organizations and 10 teams of employees from each organization, along with Sisters, began the task of redefining the Marywood campus. The “new” Marywood will not be known just as a community of Sisters for more than 100 years but also as a progressive provider of health care and assisted living options for a diverse older population in the Grand Rapids area. Spiritual, social and lifelong learning needs will be enhanced through three chapels and the Dominican Center for educational and spiritual programs. Reflecting this continuum of care, the new joint venture is called Marywood Circle. “Embracing this collaborative opportunity and sharing our legacy of service is part of our Dominican tradition,” Sister Nathalie said. “It is yet another way the Lord takes care of us.” The first component of the partnership – Marywood Home Health – was launched in late summer. It uses already established Porter Hills resources, in affiliation with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, in the provision of licensed nursing, rehabilitation therapy, health monitoring, mental health services, spiritual companionship and personal care. A home health office was established at Marywood along with a phone number, 616-643-0403 and website, www.marywoodhomehealth.org for referral to services. Home health marketing outreach is planned for 11 local church parishes this fall.
in place as they welcome other seniors to a revitalized campus
T
he most ambitious aspect of the collaboration will involve the renovation of the health center on campus to become a statelicensed facility. The license, expected to be approved yet this year, will allow the health center to qualify for medicaid and medicare reimbursement which covers the supplies, residency costs, medications and the medical personnel required for patient care. With qualified Sisters covered by medicaid, “we will receive rent for the facility and revenue from operating the health center, thus ultimately providing a margin of return on our renovation investment,” said Sister Maureen Geary, Councilor for Finance. “After about three years, the venture should be income producing.” Although renovation will not begin until after licensing is approved, the Porter Hills and Marywood teams are working on procedures and policies for care components ranging from clinical services to dining. Another priority is to make sure that any Sisters temporarily relocated from the health center during renovation will have comfortable accommodations and consistency of care. Porter Hills CEO Larry Yachcik described the health center as “a hidden gem, with no match anywhere else. This project is the result of hard work from many people who have gone before us.” Another “hard work” project will address the need for affordable assisted-living options in the city, with the renovation of Aquinata Hall (which had been used for Aquinas College student housing until last year) on the Marywood campus. An architect, with Sister suggestions, created the final blueprint for 48 assisted-living apartments (16 on three floors) for Sisters and laity. Each unit will feature adequate living and closet space, a bathroom and kitchenette. The south side of the building will house an atrium, with Aquinata Hall Chapel to the west. The new Aquinata, due for completion in less than a year, will also offer dining and laundry rooms. To prepare for renovation, which began late in the summer, furniture and other equipment was evaluated for ongoing use in the hall or donated to a variety of local agencies for the needy, including Habitat for Humanity, St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army and Goodwill. “The Aquinata project responds to a critical need in this community for affordable senior housing,” Sister Nathalie said. “From providing moderate assistance for independent living to 24/7 comprehensive care, we will be able to offer it all here, on the beautiful Marywood campus.” Collaboration will continue to fuel the project’s success. And the new Marywood Circle logo reflects that fact in its tagline – Partners in your life journey.
The Art of Collaboration Who would have imagined that an ‘invitation to dream big’ and a ‘file folder’ tucked away in a neighborhood association office would be the catalysts to bring the arts to a Grand Rapids, Michigan neighborhood?
I
n the mid 1990’s, Sister Kathi Sleziak was studying the issue of violence in American culture with a group of Dominican Sisters in the Detroit area. She was so deeply affected by what she learned that, when asked by the leadership of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids to dream her wildest dream for ministry, Kathi was moved to say she would like to do something to help break the cycle of youth violence. . . maybe create an after school program. Following several months of communal discernment, Kathi was given the green light to take a leave of absence from her teaching position in Port Huron, move to Grand Rapids and investigate the real need for such a program and seek out potential collaborators. In September 1997 Sister Kathi hit the pavement to identify churches and non-profit organizations that might be willing to work with the Sisters in creating an after-school program in an at-risk neighborhood. One organization, the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association (RPNA), had recently begun collaborating with the Dominican Sisters in staffing a neighborhood library on Grandville Avenue, SW in Grand Rapids. Not really knowing much about the RPNA, the library or the neighborhood, Kathi made an appointment to meet with the neighborhood association director, Mary Angelo. In the meantime, Mary Angelo had long been considering bringing more creative opportunities for children into the neighborhood. There seemed to be plenty of basketball hoops, sports activities and homework help. What was missing were the arts: music, art, singing and dancing. She had been thinking about this for some time and viewed it primarily as a social justice issue. When Kathi waltzed into her office, Mary pulled a file from her drawer which contained an outline of the project. It did not take long for Kathi to grab hold of the idea for an after-school program with a focus on the arts. A collaboration was born! Through Kathi and Mary, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids and the RPNA combined their resources, expertise and energy to produce a creative hub for the community that was greater than what could have been achieved through individual effort.
~ Katheryn Sleziak, OP and Mary Angelo
Mary welcomed Kathi into the RPNA family and provided many opportunities for her to get to know the children, families, schools and organizations in the neighborhood. Before long it became clear that an art center would be a welcome addition. School budgets were cutting back on the arts while research was showing that consistent involvement in the arts helped to improve school performance. Before long, Mary and Kathi decided on a name for this new project, the Grandville Avenue Academy for the Arts which would complement the Grandville Avenue Neighborhood Library. Over the next 3 ½ years they poured their hearts and souls into this project: purchasing property, constructing the building, connecting with artists of every genre, recruiting board members, creating articles of incorporation and securing non-profit status and finally, in July 2001, welcoming the neighborhood children and families with an electrifying grand opening celebration. As they reflect on why the Grandville Avenue Academy for the Arts was such a success, Kathi and Mary can easily identify with the elements of a strong collaboration: frequent communication, high trust, information sharing, pooling of resources, shared goals, commitment and accountability, long term relationship, and the willingness to risk much in order to gain much. On June 16, 2011 the arts academy, now called Cook Arts Center, celebrated its 10th anniversary. Ten years. . . and still transforming the lives of children, teens and adults in the Grandville Avenue neighborhood through the arts and celebrating the community's cultural richness.
collaboration
CONTINUES
with Cook Library Center
I
n 1996, the Dominican Sisters collaborated with the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association to create the Grandville Avenue Neighborhood Library. Seventeen years later, now known as the Cook Library Center, the library continues to serve as a “beacon of hope” for the surrounding community. “It’s a clean, safe and beautiful environment, and so must be very inspiring for kids to come to,” Kathryn Sleziak, OP, of the Marywood Dominican Center said. “The first two librarians at the Grandville Neighborhood Library were our Sisters, so they helped lay the groundwork and make it a safe and beautiful place for the kids to come to after school.” Mary Angelo, Director of the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association, was a driving force behind the Library’s creation, along with Sister Joan Pichette, the first librarian, and her successor Sister Jeanne Marie Jones. Angelo had recognized the need in the community for a public library, and with the assistance from the Dominican Sisters and area colleges, the Library continues to influence and grow in the community. “Sister Kathy still thinks of us in her Called to Serve efforts every year as she coordinates volunteers for our library in May when our college students are not available to assist with homework,” Sue Garza, the current Library Director, said. “[Sister Joan] is my mentor and guide when I need help with certain students. Her words of wisdom and no-nonsense attitude are what helps me run the library efficiently.” ~ Samantha Rinkus, Aquinas College 2011 & Benincasa House of Discernment resident
Called to Serve volunteers, Kathleen, Casey & Kate
Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids
Local Ministries
Grand Rapids benefits from Dominican Sisters’ collaboration Widely known for their tradition of service and ministries in education and health care, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids have long recognized the value of collaborating with individuals and organizations to meet needs in the communities they serve.
Sisters 'involved from the beginning' to end homelessness Through involvement in the Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism (GRACE) Congregational Partnership Program, the Dominican Sisters are working to help end homelessness in Kent County. GRACE is among more than 70 members of the Coalition to End Homelessness which, in 2004, created a 10-year Vision to End Homelessness. “Sisters Maureen Geary and Jarrett DeWyse were involved from the beginning in this plan to end homelessness,” said Sister Mona Schwind, who is also active in the project. Sister Maureen worked with what was then the Housing Continuum of Care through The Salvation Army Booth Family Services at the time the Vision was developed. Sister Jarrett reached out through Dwelling Place in efforts to get grants for housing rehabilitation.
“Our activities have included a crash course in the complexity of related issues, site visitations of rehabilitated housing, volunteering at events for agencies and services for those in need and fundraising.” ~ Mona Schwind, OP
The Congregation has also collaborated with Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the MAJIC concert series for two seasons, with another concert due for 2011-2012. With GRACE, the Congregation has assisted in settling two families into homes and is now working with a third family.
~ Christine Ervin
Dwelling Place offers 1,000 apartments to low-income residents Created 31 years ago, Dwelling Place initially was launched to help ensure access to affordable housing for Grand Rapids’ Heartside Neighborhood. The organization, with seven churches and several organizations as founding members, has since extended its reach to 21 neighborhoods in the city and other west Michigan communities and oversees 1,000 apartments for low-income residents. “I chose a ministry with Dwelling Place because I had an interest in housing and thought my skills could be best used in their mission,” said Sister Jarrett DeWyse. From her initial position as an intern in 1988, she is now director of housing development.
“Keeping our donor base intact and receiving grant funding when the economy is in a downturn is always a challenge.”
~ Jarrett DeWyse, OP
And she has a special interest in her first building project. “My first week at Dwelling Place brought me to a meeting to talk about the dream and vision of possible housing for homeless persons with disabilities,” Sister Jarrett noted. “Thus was born the Ferguson Renaissance Center, and it has been a particular joy to see it come to fruition through a multitude of committees, plans, financing and fundraising leading to a welcoming of the first residents in 2002.” The Dominican Sisters also contributed a start-up grant to this venture. Sister Jarrett with Dwelling Place colleagues
WORD Project ESL expands through college collaboration Created in 1998, the WORD (Writing Opportunities Reading Discoveries) Project ESL Program has offered English as a Second Language for adults and also collaborates in the provision of U.S. citizenship classes. In addition to a large Hispanic population, people from countries such as Bosnia, Russia, Africa and Vietnam have benefited from the program, under the direction of Sister Carmen Rostar. Students work one on one with volunteer tutors, and further help comes from a computer lab, opened in 2004. Classes are taught in the Steepletown Center on Grand Rapids' West Side.
“Initially, a majority of the tutors were 'retired' Dominican Sisters, but over the years we have had hundreds of lay volunteers and local college students join us.” ~ Carmen Rostar, OP
"Perhaps the greatest and most recent collaboration is with Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC)," Sister Carmen said. "Our location enabled us to offer citizenship classes at their West Side Learning Corner and in the first two classes alone, we were able to assist 35 students in the study of citizenship and completion of their citizenship forms. Due to this resounding response and the wonderful working relationship, we will offer classes at GRCC again this year." Sister Carmen (far right) and ESL volunteers
Sisters Marguerite & Jean with their PIP "bus"
Partners in Parenting: more than a decade of ‘positive parenting’ on wheels Contained within a 35-foot-long motor home, the Partners in Parenting (PIP) program has helped more than 10,000 mothers and fathers improve their parenting skills since its launch in 1999. Sisters Marguerite Cool and Jean Kramer, both elementary school teachers (with 70 years of teaching experience between them), have served PIP since its inception, leading classes in topics ranging from how to handle temper tantrums to building self-esteem using an approach they describe as “positive discipline, a strong effective way to teach positive behavior and positive ways to express feelings," said Sister Marguerite. Classes are geared toward parents of children aged 12 and younger in rural and urban communities throughout Michigan. Many families who are served live at or below the federal poverty level and half of them are unemployed parents, including teens and single mothers.
“From the beginning, the program's mission has been to bring parenting classes to families who are materially disadvantaged by listening, encouraging and walking together with them.” ~ Marguerite Cool, OP
PIP has now joined forces with Catholic Charities West Michigan. “We continue to minister to all interested parents, but many clients are referred to the program by other agencies such as D.A. Blodgett/St. John's, Lutheran Child and Family Services, Bethany Christian Family Services and the local court system,” Sister Jean explained.
New Mexico
~ Christine Ervin
natural resources fuel collaboration in the southwest
Lead gift helped Catholic Foundation establish educational, social ministries For more than 80 years, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids have served in Albuquerque, New Mexico and in the rural mountain areas of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe: Santa Cruz, Dixon, Belen, Penasco, San Juan, San Ignatio, Ranchos de Taos and other areas. The archdiocese covers 61,000 square miles and serves about 300,000 Catholics in that area. The Jesuit Fathers had given land to the Sisters for $1 to assist them in providing a healing place for Sisters with tuberculosis. (Although they were primarily educators, Sisters became involved in staffing an Albuquerque hospital.) Through a sale of land in 1995, they were then able to contribute an endowment gift to The Catholic Foundation for educational programs and social ministries. As the foundation has grown, so have collaborative efforts. Among the many education and social service causes supported by grants are temporary shelter, prison ministry, Catholic Charities’ refugee service, parish food pantries and adult education. “Today there are 12 Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids living and serving in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe,” said Sister Joyce Ann Hertzig, mission and ministry leader. “Our legacy of education and health care remains alive with the people, thanks to our support of The Catholic Foundation.”
Dominican Sisters help launch plans for a college-prep Cristo Rey School in Albuquerque In 1996, a college-prep high school for students from lowincome families and founded by the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus opened on the city's south side. Thus was born the Cristo Rey Network, now encompassing 24 schools in 19 urban areas nationwide. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a feasibility study was completed to determine if such a school would be a viable option for impoverished, largely Mexican-American students in the city’s South Valley. Based on study results, the Cristo Rey Network gave approval to proceed, with land for the school now reserved in the South Valley. Responding to the need for collaborative partners, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids have pledged to promote the school. Sister Marie Rachael Guevara and Sister Bernice Garcia will serve as advocates for the project, along with the Franciscan Friars in Albuquerque and the De LaSalle Christian Brothers. “A capital campaign is under way to raise money, with the school targeted to open in 2013 or 2014,” said Sister Marie Rachael. “Much needed prayers are requested to keep this project progressing.”
Land sale helps boost St. Pius X High School endowment fund “I can’t thank you enough for saying yes to me; saying yes to my dream of graduating from St. Pius X, and saying yes to my future. Most of all, you put your shoulder next to my mother’s and helped her with this dream.” ~ Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids endowed financial aid recipient
In 1999, St. Pius X High School Foundation in Albuquerque received its largest-ever endowment – a gift of more than ten acres (two parcels) St. Pius X High School seniors Ramiro Espinosa and Lenora Waconda of land from the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids. The smaller parcel attend an all-school mass. was sold by the foundation in 2002 to launch the Sisters’ Financial Aid Endowment Fund. The larger parcel of land was sold for nearly $1.5 million to the city in 2006 for the Balloon Fiesta Park. These gifts of land, involving a collaboration by many, are helping to ensure that a quality Catholic education at St. Pius X is affordable for students in need. Since July 2007, 97 tuition assistance awards have been granted, with the average award totaling $2,500.
In the Southwest, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids have forged a number of collaborative relationships based partly on funds obtained by the Sisters from the sale of several parcels of land in New Mexico.
St. Anthony Church and (future) School, Penasco, New Mexico, 1926
Sister Carmella Conway's 8th grade class, Santa Cruz, New Mexico, 1950
Southwest Creations Collaborative offers jobs and more to low-income women
Sister Bernice Garcia, at left
The Southwest Creations Collaborative (SCC) is a small cut, sew and handiwork manufacturing business aimed at helping low-income women and their families. It was founded in Old Town Albuquerque’s San Jose Parish in 1994 by Susan Matteucci, with the encouragement and support of Sister Bernice Garcia of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids. Collaborative clients have ranged from design companies and high-end hotels to the Museum of New Mexico Foundation. The diverse offering of products has included kimonos for a spa and organic baby clothing, to pillows, table napkins and glass mosaics. “We are focusing on building New Mexico business partners, as those relationships have proven to be the most consistent,” Susan said. “Inherent to our mission of providing a living wage to our employees is the idea that economic development means addressing the multiple challenges families face in supporting themselves with dignity,” Sister Bernice explained. In that regard, the Collaborative offers its employees onsite daycare costing 25 cents/hour, adult education opportunities (English, GED, citizenship) and a program to engage parents in their children’s education. The business outgrew the parish center and is now based in a renovated former jail. SCC manufacturing has continued even during the recession, with 25 full-time employees currently. The company’s innovative approach has been highlighted on public television and in the PBS nationally syndicated Frontline series. Visit their website at southwestcreations.com
Funding Hope
~ Matt Bergevin
collaboration through investment
PARTNERS FOR THE COMMON GOOD One of the four pillars of the Dominican charisms is Service. The Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids have always used whatever resources they have to help others. Through their collaboration with the company Partners for the Common Good (PCG), the Sisters are able to take their service a step further. PCG is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution offering community development loans. What PCG does is partner with socially responsible lenders and investors, like the Dominican Sisters, and then provides access to capital for low income communities through those investments. The Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids have been a member of Partners for the Common Good since its formation in 2001. At this time, the Sisters have $75,000 invested in PCG through 2014. “What it boils down to — this company takes our investment and does good things with it,” said Maureen Geary, OP, Vicaress/Treasurer. “By investing in PCG, we know that our money will be put to the maximum of its potential.” From 2006 through 2009 PCG financed nearly $16 million in loans. The money that the Dominican Sisters invest doesn’t go to help just one community—but dozens. “There’s a big pool of money, and every one of our investors contributes to everything we do,” said Jeannine Jacokes, Chief Executive Officer of PCG. “We help over 50 different organizations by loaning them money from our investors.” PCG finances projects that advance affordable housing, nonprofit working capital, mission-focused enterprise, entrepreneurs and healthy communities and more. “This is a great way to put our resources to work,” said Sister Maureen. “We know that the vehicle of PCG works, and we are happy to be connected with them. This is a collaboration that we’re proud of, and hope to see continue in years to come.” To learn more about Partners for the Common Good, visit www.pcgloanfund.org
Below are just a few of the dozens of borrower organizations that Partners for the Common Good have helped within the last year. Foundation for the Challenged —Dublin, Ohio Through charitable support and affordable housing, Foundation for the Challenged facilitates a more purposeful and community-based quality of life for people with mental and developmental disabilities.
Family Centers Inc.— Madison, Wis. A cooperative venture of four nonprofit agencies, Family Centers Inc. is a community support system that strengthens families and treats and prevents family stress, child abuse and neglect. Legacy Midwest Renewal Corporation—Milwaukee, Wis. Legacy Midwest Renewal Corporation is the real estate arm of Legacy Redevelopment Corporation, committed to revitalizing the central city of Milwaukee. Navajo Partnership for Housing—Gallup, New Mexico Since 1996, The Navajo Partnership for Housing (NPH) has provided innovative and flexible home ownership financing opportunities on or near the Navajo Nation. It has empowered Navajo families with new knowledge, skills and understanding which enables them to complete real estate transactions.
women step up from their quiet past CENTRO MUJERES DE LA ESPERANZA El Paso, Texas in the early 1990s was an area where the voices of many women were left unheard. In 1993, the Centro Mujeres de la Esperanza (Center for Women of Hope) was created to help these women. With some of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids missioned in New Mexico at this time, several Sisters shifted their interests toward helping the women in these West Texas communities. The goal was to create a center to find a voice for these women in need. The Center would provide hope to women who call for it, through various workshops, speakers and support groups. Communities from all over the area joined to help. “This was new to anything we had ever known or done,” said Sister Angelina Abeyta, who originally coordinated the Center with Sister Donna Kustusch (Adrian Dominican Sister). “It was a big learning process as we worked on creating and establishing the Center. This was a big, collaborative effort.” The Dominican Sisters' main role with the Center was helping to guide the formation and vision—and to get it kick-started. “Our goal was to train the local people of El Paso to run the Center, and that’s exactly what they’re doing—and a good job of it too,” said Sister Jarrett DeWyse. Today, the Center for Women of Hope offers a multitude of workshops on a daily basis, holding classes nearly 12 hours a day, five days a week. Each class offered is free and volunteer-taught by women in the surrounding community. To learn more about Centro Mujeres de la Esperanza, or to donate, visit www.centromujeres.bbnow.org In the late 1960s, turmoil and strife were constant challenges
Sister Dolorita Martinez works with the women of El Paso
CENTER FOR COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN for most women in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. They were kept silent, their thoughts and ideas quelled by the servitude they endured. Don Samuel Ruiz, bishop of the Diocese of San Cristobal de las Casas, sought to change this, providing the leadership needed for the creation of CODIMUJ—Coordinacion Diocesana de Mujeres (or the Diocesan Council for Women). CODIMUJ’s main objective is to maintain the Center for Comprehensive Development of Women, which was established in 2006. It is a space for women to take refuge and to reflect and analyze how to improve their standard of living, all this while being welcomed and helped by the community. Dominican Sister Barbara Reid worked very closely with CODIMUJ during this time. With the help of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids, as well as many other religious and non-religious organizations and communities, funding was made possible for CODIMUJ to build and begin maintaining the Center. “For many, 'taking up the cross' no longer means passive acceptance of suffering that comes from abuse or injustice but rather signifies the struggles and hardships they choose to endure in order to learn and proclaim the gospel,” said Sister Barbara, in her book Taking up the Cross. To learn more about the struggles of the women in Chiapas and how you can help, purchase a copy of Taking Up the Cross: New Testament Interpretation Through Latina and Feminist Eyes, which is available through www.augsburgfortress.org or through www.amazon.com
Donation through Collaboration
~ Matt Bergevin
suzanne haas-williams
“It was a joy to find someone who connected with the Sisters, and who had a sense of what religious life is all about,” said Sister Nathalie Meyer, Prioress, on the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids’ connection with Suzanne Haas-Williams. Helping the Sisters through her strategic communications company, Williams Group, Sue has helped revitalize the Dominican Sisters community. Sue and her husband Dennis Wiliams have been supporters of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids for a long time. Having attended and worked with Aquinas College, Sue had developed a relationship with the Sisters. After her job at Aquinas College in the admissions department, Sue went on to work for Williams Group, where she would soon become one of three partners for the company. Now, as Consultant and Principal, she helps to guide and support clients through their communications processes. Upon hiring Sue to help with the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids branding and marketing efforts, Sister Nathalie said, “Sue’s enthusiasm and understanding of what was needed allowed the entire congregation to get behind her.” After working for a few months, Sue recognized the needs of the congregation. “We stayed on through a volunteering basis, and have been working with the Sisters for a few years now,” said Sue. “I consider it part of a tithe. Sometimes, going out and volunteering can be hard. By identifying the significant needs that the community has, which happens to be what Williams Group are experts in, it gives us joy and satisfaction by sharing our talents with helping not only the Dominican Sisters, but the Catholic Church too.” The relationship with Sue and the Dominican Sisters continues to grow as time passes. Sue’s work can be seen all over the Marywood campus, in the Sisters’ publications and on their websites. “I love the Sisters because they are smart, they’re progressive,” said Sue. “They don’t shy away from risk — but pursue what they believe in. It’s inspirational.” Learn more about Sue’s company, Williams Group, at wgsite.com
Office of Development
collaboration an ever-developing 'virtue' I have found in past years and presently that the virtue of positive collaboration (I really don't recall studying this “virtue,” but I know it is one) is the one I am called upon to nurture most frequently. My work in the development office is to plan, coordinate, execute and evaluate fundraising/development strategies in support of Congregational efforts and their financial goals. Fostering relationships with friends of the Congregation and continuing to build a greater awareness and appreciation for the work of the Sisters in the communities they serve is another important aspect of my work, as well as finding the best way to serve the common good in any particular endeavor. There needs to be an open mind and a willing spirit when two entities wish to provide a service which could more appropriately be provided jointly. When finances are limited, one needs to be willing to admit that a project other than one’s own is more worthy of funding. Planning, stewardship, communication all require an extreme consciousness of collaborative thinking. Collaboration brings life into our mission and ministry, and we are so grateful to our community donors for the many collaborative blessings they have brought to the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids. Thank you for your support! Patrice Konwinski, OP, a member of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids, is Development Coordinator for the organization.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2012 Former Members Gathering - April 28, 2012 • Dollars 'Fore' Dominicans Golf Outing - May 7, 2012 Marywood Alumnae Homecoming - May 18 & 19, 2012 • Marywood Alumnae Potluck - September 12, 2012
OUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON YOU! Please Remember the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids in Your Will Sisters of the Order of Saint Dominic 2025 Fulton Street East Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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2025 Fulton St East Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3895
T (616) 459.2910 F (616) 454.6105 www.grdominicans.org
About us Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids is a community of 245 women who follow the Catholic traditions of St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena. Since 1877, the Dominican Sisters have taught children and ministered to the orphaned, partnered with nonprofit agencies and served in hospital ministries, social service agencies and hospice care. We have created works of art, helped lead liturgical reform and fostered life in parishes and communities. Today, based on the Marywood campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Dominican Sisters engage in a wide variety of ministries throughout the United States and missions in Peru and Honduras. To volunteer, make a financial contribution or learn more, visit www.grdominicans.org By your donation you will participate in, and make possible, many creative and innovative responses to unmet needs in our society. Follow us online: 路路 Access chapel services and liturgy, upcoming events and news at www.grdominicans.org 路路 Visit our facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/dominicansisters grandrapids If you are a member, log in and add yourself as a fan.