PRAEDICARE
A PUBLICATION OF THE DOMINICAN PROVINCE OF ST. ALBERT THE GREAT FROM THE PROVINCIAL FINDING HOPE ONLINE
DOMINICAN FRIARS AT THE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS
THE JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE AND THE SHRINE OF ST. JUDE
VISION
We preach in a wide variety of settings: in diocesan offices, in parishes, on college campuses, in schools, in hospitals, through the arts, in the missions, among the poor, on the road, on the internet, and in various other specialized fields.
We are part of the Order of Preachers, a religious order within the Roman Catholic Church. We are also called the Dominicans. Our provincial office is located in Chicago, Illinois, and we work primarily in the Midwest (Central) region of the United States of America, as well as in Puerto Rico, though our work extends throughout the world.
MISSION
The Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great communicate the word of God through preaching, theological education, and the promotion of justice and peace. This mission in the body of Christ demands a vowed community life, liturgical prayer, and life-long study.
MINISTRIES
PARISHES
St. Pius V Chicago, Illinois St. Vincent Ferrer River Forest, Illinois
St. Albert the Great Minneapolis, Minnesota St. Dominic Denver, Colorado
Santa Cruz Bayamón, Puerto Rico Nuestra Señora del Rosario Yauco, Puerto Rico Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro Bayamón, Puerto Rico
CAMPUS MINISTRY
St. Paul Catholic Center Indiana University Aquinas College Grand Rapids, Michigan St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center Purdue University
EDUCATION/SPIRITUALITY
Fenwick High School Oak Park, Illinois Shrine of St. Jude Chicago, Illinois Aquinas Institute of Theology St. Louis, Missouri Santuario San Martin de Porres Cantaño, Puerto Rico
Dear Friends,
Greetings and blessings for the New Year. Allow me to begin this edition of Praedicare with a few thoughts on Hope, one of the three Theological Virtues and central to Jubilee 2025: A Pilgrimage of Hope. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the theological virtues (Faith, Hope, and Charity) as
the foundation of Christian moral activity; they animate it and give it its special character. They inform and give life to all the moral virtues.
Of hope in particular, the Catechism says,
Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.
As Dominicans, we pledge to not only bring this hope to others through our preaching but in the very way we live our lives. Our lives
should shine as beacons of hope, and this issue of Praedicare seeks to put that into words and images.
A relatively new ministry of the Province continues to evolve, featuring daily words of hope from friars across the Province. Take a moment to read how it began during the pandemic and how it has grown to attract hundreds of viewers daily.
Several of us witnessed a genuine experience of hope last summer. Some 60,000 faithful converged on Indianapolis to attend the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, praying, enjoying each other’s company, and listening to dynamic speakers discuss the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Christian life. Each day included time for adoration and celebration of the Eucharist. Friars from throughout the Province joined in, promoting vocations, introducing people to our Shrine of St. Jude, and enrolling folks in the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary. All who attended remarked on the impact of this event on their lives.
The future of our Province remains abundantly hopeful. Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP, our
Promoter of Vocations, continues to respond to young men who show interest in the Order of Preachers. Whether making his presence known on a college campus, at the annual SEEK conference attended by thousands of young people, or meeting candidates one-on-one, Fr. Samuel works tirelessly to respond to anyone who wishes to hear more about our life and discern their future.
Nothing speaks more to hope than young people, who the Holy Father calls “the first pilgrims of hope.” Read about the first layperson to take the helm at our own Fenwick High School and his impressive story. Learn, too, of the hope brought to so many by the work of volunteers at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Denver. Or learn of the hope brought by the renewal of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue University.
Praedicare unfolds the story of our recent Provincial’s Dinner, where we celebrated and recognized the incredible, hope-filled work of Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR, and the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago, a religious community
serving the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels on Chicago’s impoverished West Side.
Finally, the Dominican Shrine of St Jude Thaddeus in Chicago has served for decades as a beacon to those struggling to find hope through life’s most intense challenges. During this Jubilee Year, we take our ministry “on the road” through a robust mission schedule as well as welcome people into the Shrine itself in the heart of Chicago.
Our Holy Father describes hope in this way. “Hope is a gift and a task for every Christian because God offers it to us. Hoping is not a mere act of optimism.... No, hoping is waiting for something that has already been given to us: salvation in God’s eternal and infinite love.”
May that same Hope inspire and move us all throughout 2025.
In St. Dominic, Prior Provincial
HOPE BORN OF CRISIS
hen the world paused in March 2020, the Dominicans of the Province of St. Albert the Great sprang into action. Within a week of the pandemic shutdown, Fr. Jim Marchionda, OP, then Prior Provincial, presented an idea that would bridge the physical distance separating faithful Catholics from their spiritual lifeline. His vision? A daily video series called A Word of Hope.
Fr. Jimmy knew that in a period of unprecedented isolation, people needed encouragement and connection, even if they couldn’t physically come to church. “It was important to him to preach and reach out,” recalls the series’ editor, Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, the Province’s Promoter of Media. Together, they mapped out a plan: short, threeminute homilies based on the daily readings. “This approach aligns with the Dominican tradition of preaching,” Fr. Scott explains. “We allow the Word of God to guide the message rather than crafting a theme and finding readings to match.”
Armed with a digital camera, tripod, microphone, and Fr. Scott’s MacBook for editing, the duo began recording in earnest. They hosted the videos on YouTube, embedding them on the Province’s website for easy access. At first, Fr. Jimmy shouldered the preaching responsibilities, delivering reflections day after day. But as weeks turned into months, he realized he needed help.
“I suggested he create a preaching schedule and involve other friars,” says Fr. Scott. Fr. Jimmy first enlisted the friars at the Provincial office, assigning them two consecutive days of preaching. This adjustment lightened the load and ensured a variety of voices. “When the Provincial assigns you to preach, you preach,” Fr. Scott quips.
The workload wasn’t without challenges. Recording sessions had to be coordinated, and Fr. Jimmy insisted that friars take responsibility for contacting him to schedule their recordings. “That small rule saved a lot of time and effort,” Fr. Scott notes.
By the summer of 2020, Fr. Jimmy began questioning how long A Word of Hope should continue. “I reminded him that since we weren’t preaching elsewhere—no parish missions, no retreats—why stop? People were listening,” says Fr. Scott. The series continued, gaining momentum and
expanding its roster to fifteen preachers. With this team in place, each friar only needed to preach two days each month.
When Fr. Jimmy’s term as Provincial ended in 2023, Fr. Scott inherited the task of managing the schedule and overseeing the series.
Today, A Word of Hope reaches an audience far beyond its humble beginnings. Approximately 300–400 viewers watch daily on YouTube (youtube. com/@opcentral/videos), while many others tune in via the Province’s website (opcentral.org) or via our Facebook page (facebook.com/OPcentralfriars).
An email link to the day’s video reaches about 1,400 subscribers, with 20–30 percent clicking through to watch (to subscribe, visit opcentral.org).
The impact of A Word of Hope transcends numbers. Fr. Scott frequently receives heartfelt emails from viewers who share how the reflections have become a vital part of their spiritual lives. “The messages often include gratitude and blessings,” he says. “It’s humbling and affirming to know this ministry touches so many lives.”
While the world has shifted back to more normal rhythms, the Province’s A Word of Hope series continues to underscore the Dominican commitment to preaching, connecting, and serving in every season.
WORD OF HOPE PREACHERS
Fr. Luke Barder, OP
Pastor
St. Dominic’s Church, Denver, CO
Fr. Charlie Bouchard, OP
Senior Fellow in Ethics and Sponsorship
Aquinas Institute, St. Louis, MO
Fr. Brendan Curran, OP North American Promoter of Justice and Peace, Chicago, IL
Fr. Jordan DeGuire, OP Campus Ministry
Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI
Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP Promoter of Vocations, Chicago, IL
Fr. Greg Heille, OP Director of Doctor of Ministry in Preaching, Aquinas Institute, St. Louis, MO
Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy
The Angelicum, Rome, Italy
Fr. Bob Keller, OP Campus Ministry
Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI
Fr. Tom Lynch, OP
Pastor
St. Pius V Church, Chicago, IL
Fr. Jim Marchionda, OP Composer and Itinerant Preacher, Chicago, IL
Fr. Louis Morrone, OP Prior Provincial, Chicago, IL
Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP Assistant Professor
Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico
Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP Promoter of Media, Chicago, IL
Br. Joe Trout, OP Socius to the Provincial, Chicago, IL
Br. Edward Van Merrienboer, OP
St. Vincent Priory, River Forest, IL
Fr. Paul Whittington, OP
Pastor
St. Katherine Drexel, Chicago, IL
Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP Novice Master, Denver, CO
DOMINICAN FRIARS JOIN 60,000 CATHOLICS IN INDIANAPOLIS
Friars from the Province of the St. Albert the Great joined more than 60,000 Catholics at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis from July 17-21. Clergy, religious, and laypeople gathered for events such as a Eucharistic Procession, Adoration, daily Masses, and nightly revival sessions.
Br. John Steilberg, OP, Promoter of Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic, attended with the Lay Dominicans to spread the Word and invite others to join their mission. Br. John commented, “I cannot put into words what this event meant to me personally,” he shared. “I was overwhelmed with joy and surprised by God constantly throughout the five days. Life-changing.”
Promoters of Vocations from all four U.S. Dominican provinces staffed a booth to guide young men discerning vocations. Vocations Promotor Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP, reflected, “Today was amazing. It truly was a special day, not only for me, nor only the 60,000+ on hand, but for the entire U.S. Church. What a blessing!”
The Dominican booth in the Expo Hall drew steady crowds. During the five days of the event, Fr. Mike Ford, OP, Spiritual Director of the Shrine of St. Jude, displayed the Arm Relic of St. Jude in the Expo Hall, blessing thousands who lined up to venerate the relic.
Also staffing the booth was Fr. James Pierce Cavanaugh, OP, Promoter of the Holy Name and Rosary Confraternities, who blessed thousands of rosaries and encouraged visitors to join the Confraternity. Reflecting on the Congress, he noted, “People were thrilled to associate with the Dominicans; literally thousands of faithful Catholics—many of whom had never met a live Dominican—expressed excitement about St. Dominic, the Rosary, and St. Thomas Aquinas.”
At the Congress’s closing Mass, organizers announced plans for the next Congress in 2033, which will mark the 2000th anniversary of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Opposite: More than 60,000 people attended nightly revival sessions at Lucas Oil Stadium. On Day 4, actor Jonathan Roumie shared his experience playing Jesus in The Chosen. (Photo courtesy of the National Eucharistic Revival.)
Left: Br. Jacob Mazur-Batistoni, OP at the Eucharistic Procession. Left: Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP, staffed a joint booth with the vocations promoters from the Eastern, Southern, and Western Provinces. The Dominican Laity shared information on joining the Central Province’s group. Fr. Mike Ford, OP, spiritual director of the Shrine of St. Jude, offered visitors the opportunity to revere the arm relic of the patron saint of Hope.
Below: Fr. Jame Pierce Cavanaugh, OP, blessed rosaries and encouraged visitors to join the Holy Rosary Confraternity.
AROUND THE PROVINCE
FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL OAK PARK, IL
Following a national search, Fenwick recently named retired Marine Corps Colonel Otto J. Rutt its first lay president. “The Fenwick community is etched into my heart. I am humbled to get this opportunity,” said Rutt, who graduated from the Dominican Catholic college preparatory school in 1979 and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2008. “After decades of building on the top-notch Catholic education I gained at Fenwick, through career stops in the military, the private sector and in public education, I am coming home.”
Read more about Col. Rutt at fenwickfriars.com/newsdetail?pk=1529718
In Denver’s West Highland neighborhood, the St. Margaret of Castello Family Center exemplifies compassion and community. Operated by St. Dominic Catholic Parish, a ministry of the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great, the center serves as a vital resource for families facing food insecurity.
ST. PIUS V PARISH CHICAGO, IL
November,
deceased with a Day of the Dead altar for All Souls’ Day. In December, parishioners celebrated the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
DIACONATE ORDINATION
ST. LOUIS, MO
On February 8, 2025, Dominican friars Br. Dominick Jean, OP, and Br. Joseph Van Havermaet, OP, were ordained to the diaconate at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at St. Dominic’s Priory in St. Louis. Br. Dominick made his simple profession in 2019 while Br. Joseph did the same in 2020.
MISSION IN MOTION
THE ST. MARGARET OF COSTELLO FAMILY CENTER, DENVER, CO
The center offers essentials such as diapers, baby wipes, formula, baby food, and gently used children’s clothing, along with food and personal care items for all. In 2023-24, it assisted 17,500 individuals, including 8,900 adults and 8,300 children, distributing 56,719 diapers and 84,651 pounds of food.
Welcoming everyone regardless of religion, age, gender, ethnicity, or disability, the center operates on a dropin basis with no appointment or proof of income required. Beyond meeting basic needs, it fosters a warm and supportive environment, providing a sense of connection for those it serves.
The center is inspired by its namesake, St. Margaret of Castello, OP, a 13th-century woman renowned for her unwavering charity toward society’s most vulnerable. Her legacy motivates the dedicated staff and volunteers who ensure the center remains a beacon of hope.
Would you like to help further the center’s mission? Volunteer opportunities include sorting and distributing food, while monetary and in-kind donations are always appreciated.
For more information, visit: stdominicdenver.org/st-margaretcastello-center.
In
St. Pius V Parish in Chicago remembered the
Photo courtesy of Fenwick High School
KENYA, EAST AFRICA
Last summer, two Dominican student brothers spent time in Kenya. They served with Kenya Works, an organization that works to eliminate barriers and amplify human rights across the country. At a home visit (below) Br. Benedict Purnell, OP, and Br. Moses Owens, OP (from the Southern Province), visited families to discuss their needs. Bottom: Br. Benedict supervises handwashing at a primary school, which also serves lunch to more than 500 children daily.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CENTER, WEST LAFAYETTE, IN
Each year, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center (St. Tom’s) at Purdue University unites more than 3,000 students and nearly 1,000 Catholic families on a shared spiritual journey. The community invests its time, talent, and treasure into a steady stream of young adults who spread the word of Jesus Christ on campus and beyond. As St Tom’s approaches its 75th anniversary in 2026, the center recently announced plans to restore and enhance its facilities.
Read more at: boilercatholics.org/renewal.
SIMPLE PROFESSION DENVER, CO
In August 2024, seven young men made their simple vows before Prior Provincial Fr. Louis Morrone, OP, at St. Dominic’s Church in Denver.
Br. Joseph
Br. Dominick
A COME &
s is typical in vocations work, the fall semester was stuffed with travel for campus visits, vocations fairs, and other events. Forty men attended our Come & See discernment weekend in October, discerning a vocation to either our province or the Province of St. Martin de Porres (Southern Province). Seeing the chapel and dining room at St. Dominic Priory--St. Louis filled beyond capacity was an inspiring sight! Follow-up work with these men has led to a few second and third visits, which, God-willing, will lead to applications being extended soon.
Apart from our Come & See, I visited ten college campus ministries spread throughout the Midwest, covering from Kansas to Michigan! Amazingly, each campus I visited is seeing record numbers of involvement: Mass
attendance, participation in small groups and Bible studies, and attendance at retreats are all on the rise, driven primarily by freshmen and sophomores. This is incredibly hopeful news, especially when we hear so much about the general decline of religious practice in America.
Some see this increase in Catholic practice among the young as a surprising positive effect of the early COVID-19 pandemic era. These young men and women had extra time at home with family during crucial years of growth and maturation. They didn’t miss milestones, like graduations or senior proms. Barring major issues at home, the shutdown and isolation period had a net positive effect on many
SEE
of them! Many from that age group came out of the pandemic hungry for community, religiously involved, and desiring to find meaning by serving others.
Rates of anxiety and depression are significantly lower among religiously involved young people than among those with no practice of faith. Of course, I am hopeful that increased religious practice will eventually lead to increased vocational interest as these students get closer to graduating! Pray for perseverance for these young people!
The New Year began with a trip to Salt Lake City for the annual FOCUS SEEK Conference. More than 17,000 college students and FOCUS missionaries attended, and a
second concurrent conference attended by 4,000 was held in Washington, DC! As has been the custom, the four US Dominican provinces combined efforts for a large vocation booth. Add in sisters from three Dominican congregations, and we had a little Dominican neighborhood! Pulling from our liturgical tradition, we hosted Evening Prayer and Night Prayer at our booths each day. Hundreds of students joined us as we attempted to chant the Psalms over the typical cacophony of a packed convention center! We typically have one novice each year who first encountered us at a SEEK conference. I look forward to seeing who that may be this round in the coming years!
Our first of three admissions boards was held January 1718 in Chicago. I am happy to report that three men have been accepted into the 2025-26 Novitiate Class! Caleb Honner hails from Sioux Falls, South Dakota and is completing his final year of studies at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, where he is studying philosophy and theology. Christian Rickert grew up in the Kansas City area and is in his final year at Saint Louis University. He is studying philosophy and Catholic studies. Patrick Danaher hails from Midlothian, Illinois (in the South Chicago suburbs), and recently graduated from University of Illinois Chicago with a degree in philosophy (notice a theme?). We hope to add to the class with admissions boards in April and June. Please pray for these three men as they prepare for their novitiate year. Pray that others may join them, too!
Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP Promoter of Vocations opvocations.org
INTERESTED IN DISCERNING WITH US?
PROVINCIAL’S DINNER 2024
On October 24, 2024, more than 150 guests—friars, clergy, lay leaders, friends, and benefactors—gathered for our Annual Provincial’s Dinner. The evening celebrated the Dominican spirit and the partnerships that fuel its mission of faith, service, and education. Together, the attendees honored the Dominican family’s legacy while deepening their shared commitment to building Christ-centered communities.
Fr. Louis S. Morrone, OP, Prior Provincial, opened the evening with heartfelt remarks. He warmly welcomed the guests and expressed deep gratitude for the friendships and support that sustain the Dominican mission. Following his introduction, attendees enjoyed a video featuring the Province’s student brothers, offering an inspiring glimpse into their studies and service as they prepare for final vows and a life dedicated to preaching the Gospel.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Great Preacher’s Award to the Most Reverend Bishop Robert J. Lombardo, CFR, and the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. Their ministry at the
Mission of Our Lady of the Angels in West Humboldt Park embodies faith in action, transforming lives in one of Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods. This recognition not only celebrated their impactful work but also underscored the unity between two historic religious communities: the Dominicans and Franciscans.
The decision to honor the Franciscans carried profound meaning. Their ministry reflects the shared mission of St. Dominic and St. Francis of Assisi, whose friendship shaped the Church’s history. Though they pursued their callings differently—Dominic through preaching and study, Francis through simplicity and humble service— both saints sought to spread the Gospel and transform lives.
Speaking on behalf of his community, Bishop Lombardo reflected on the recognition: “We are deeply honored to receive this award. It reflects not just the efforts of our community but also the generosity and prayers of all who believe in the transformative power of the Gospel.”
His words resonated deeply, highlighting the collective impact of faith-filled service.
Guests enjoyed warm fellowship over a shared meal. Lively conversations filled the room as friends, both old and new, shared stories, celebrated their faith, and reaffirmed their commitment to serve the poor and spread the Gospel. The dinner provided a moment of joyful unity, reinforcing the importance of partnership in furthering the Dominican mission.
TIMOTHY RADCLIFFE, OP ELEVATED TO CARDINAL
In December 2024, Pope Francis named 21 new cardinals, including theologian Timothy Radcliffe, OP. You may remember that in December 2023, Cardinal Radcliffe received the Province’s Great Preacher Award at the Provincial’s Dinner, where he discussed his work with the Synod on Synodality. We congratulate our brother Timothy.
Fr. Morrone closed the evening with a reflection on the significance of the gathering: “The Provincial’s Dinner is a testament to the friendships that sustain us, the partnerships that inspire us, and the faith that unites us. Together, we continue the Dominican mission to praise, to bless, and to preach.”
A CELEBRATION OF HOPE
In late October, Fr. Mike Ford, OP, Spiritual Director of the Shrine of St. Jude, led the annual celebration of the Feast Day of the patron saint of Hope. Beginning on Saturday, October 26, through Monday, October 28, hundreds of faithful gathered at the Shrine. Masses were celebrated in English, Spanish, and Polish, reflecting the diverse community that the Shrine serves. At each Mass, worshippers honored St. Jude’s enduring message of hope and resilience.
The Shrine of St. Jude is located within St. Pius V Church, at 19th Street and Ashland Avenue in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.
WHERE THERE IS PRAYER, THERE IS HOPE
Throughout this Jubilee Year of Hope, the Dominican friars of the Province of St. Albert invite you to join them in prayer at the Shrine, located in St. Pius V Church. The friars offer St. Jude Masses, as well as Veneration of the Arm Relic, every Thursday at 12:00 noon and at 6:30 p.m. In addition, the Shrine and the Church are open for private prayer Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
UPCOMING MISSIONS
As the Jubilee Year of Hope continues, Fr. Mike Ford, OP will hold missions in the following parishes during February, March, and April. The events include preaching, oil blessings, time for veneration of the relic and culminate with a St. Jude Mass.
For more information: the-shrine.org.
AND FAITH
Fr. Mike Ford, OP, Spiritual Director of the Dominican Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus in Chicago, takes itinerancy quite seriously. His role on behalf of the Shrine takes him to all corners of the country. This past November, I took the opportunity to join him as he conducted a three-day mission at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Simi Valley, California, just north of Los Angeles, one of several missions he conducts each year. This was our second visit to St. Rose, a Catholic community of well over 4000 families led by their longtime pastor and dear friend of mine, Fr. Joseph Shea. Fr. Tom McDermott, OP, joined us to concelebrate Masses and hear confessions.
Our first visit to Simi Valley some 6 or 7 years ago saw over 3500 people come from far and wide to participate in the St. Jude Mission and venerate the historic Arm Relic of St. Jude. Once again in November, large crowds gathered on three successive evenings to pray and to venerate. Though the Presidential election, as well as a massive, destructive brush fire in the area, limited attendance, hundreds and hundreds joined us each night.
The true benefit of these missions comes from the heartfelt, faith-filled stories participants often share with Fr. Mike and me before and after Mass. I recall the tear-filled face of one young woman in Simi Valley who shared her belief in the powerful intercession of St. Jude. A life-threatening illness nearly killed her husband some 18 months earlier.
February 24 to 26, 2025
Shrine Church of
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Brooklyn, NY
March 10 to 12, 2025
Our Lady, Queen of Apostles Church Derby, CT
March 17 to 19, 2025
St. John & Bernard Parish Benton Harbor, MI
March 24 to 26, 2025
St Bonaventure Parish Davie, FL
March 31 to April 2, 2025
Good Shepherd Cluster
Holy Family Parish
New Hampton, IA
April 7 to 9, 2025
St Fabian Catholic Church
St. Bridgeview, IL
April 28 to 30, 2025
St Thomas Aquinas Parish Croydon, PA
She shared how her faith in the intercession of St. Jude never wavered even as doctors gave little hope her husband and the father of their two young children would survive.
Her story had a truly happy ending. While not yet fully recovered but well on his way, her husband stood proudly behind us and nodded in agreement as his wife told his story. And a few feet away, their two young daughters smiled approvingly.
Fr. Mike and I send our gratitude to Fr. Shea and the dozens of pastors and Catholic communities who have welcomed the ministries of the Dominican Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus over the past several years. Perhaps someday soon we will come your way, too. We’d be honored.
Bob Dixon Executive Director Office of Mission Advancement
