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November 26, 2025, Adrian, Michigan – The Adrian Dominican Sisters received the Catherine Cobb Everyday Heroes Award in the category of Justice/Court during a ceremony that recognized heroes in 11 categories. The 10th Annual Everyday Heroes Celebration, sponsored by Catherine Cobb Safe House, took place on the evening of November 6, 2025, in the Adrian Armory Event Center. 

In addition to Justice/Court Hero, recipients were recognized as Animal Rescue Hero (for people or animals), Community Hero, Human Services Hero, Youth Good Samaritan Hero, Adult Good Samaritan Hero, Educator Hero, Law Enforcement Hero for paid staff or volunteers, Faith-Based Hero, and Military Hero. 

“There are many people in Lenawee County who provide help and hope to others every day, and we’re sure that every day someone in Lenawee County takes some action that rises to the level of heroism,” Jill Hicks, Executive Director of Catherine Cobb, noted in an acknowledgement printed in the program. “We may not be aware of all these everyday heroes – these wonderful, caring people who sometimes risk their own safety to help others or give of their time so generously to lend a hand when needed – but we are proud to honor some of those very special people tonight.”

The Congregation received the Justice/Court Hero award for years of work for local people who are unhoused; immigration services; and advocacy and work against the death penalty and human trafficking.

“For decades, the Adrian Dominican Sisters have embodied compassion, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to justice,” James E. Van Doren, Chair of the Lenawee County Board of Commissioners, wrote in a tribute to the Congregation. “Through your advocacy, education, and outreach, you have supported fairness and dignity for all individuals in our community. Your tireless efforts to promote peace, equity, and understanding have strengthened the very foundation of Lenawee County.”

Sister Frances Nadolny, OP, General Councilor, accepted the award on behalf of Sister Elise D. García, OP, Prioress of the Congregation, and the Adrian Dominican Sisters. She specifically thanked Jill Hicks, Executive Director of Catherine Cobb, and members of the Board of Directors. 

“For 47 years the people of Catherine Cobb have been heroes to everyday victims of domestic violence,” Sister Fran said. “We salute you, too, as we proudly accept this award for our work in social justice.” 

Catherine Cobb Safe House offers a variety of services to the survivors of domestic and sexual violence. These include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency housing, basic needs, individual and group therapy, personal and legal services, education, and transitional supportive housing. 

The Adrian Dominican Sisters are long-time partners with Catherine Cobb Safe House, with Sisters serving as members of its Board of Directors. Catherine Cobb has also received support from the Congregation through Ministry Trust grants, given to nonprofit organizations in which Adrian Dominican Sisters minister, volunteer, or serve on Boards.   

Attending the celebration with Sister Fran were Adrian Dominican Sisters Patricia Leonard, OP, a recent Catherine Cobb Board member; Nancy Murray, OP, current Board member; Attracta Kelly, OP; Tarianne DeYonker, OP; Durstyne Farnan, OP; Theresa Mayrand, OP; and Mary Jane Lubinski, OP.

Sister Fran said the Everyday Heroes Celebration was attended by current honorees and their guests, past honorees, people who had been nominated, and people involved in Catherine Cobb. She was especially inspired by hearing the stories of other award recipients. “I was moved by the generosity of people and the fact that everyday folks were being recognized for the good things that they do,” she said. “It made me feel good to know that people are so caring and look out for each other.” 
 

Caption for above feature photo: Sister Frances Nadolny, OP, General Councilor, displays the Everyday Heroes Award.

November 26, 2025, Detroit – About 40 Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates and interested community members spent the weekend of October 31-November 1, 2025, immersed in the history of the civil rights movement in the United States. 

The Selma Retreat – organized by the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Diversity Enactment Circle and offered through Weber Retreat and Conference Center – included a screening of the film Selma, dinner, group discussion of the film on Friday, and a visit to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit on Saturday. The program was designed to honor the 60th anniversary of the historic 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights advocates who sought the guaranteed right to vote for African Americans.

The retreat was an opportunity for Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates to live out the Congregation’s Diversity Enactment, which commits to “acknowledge and repent of our complicity in the divisions prevalent in our Church and our world; act to dismantle unjust systems; and build the beloved community in which everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, and hate.”

“Everyone who was involved appreciated the opportunity, the discussions, and in that I think there’s a growth – whatever growth that might be,” said Sister Janice Brown, OP, who helped to organize the retreat. “It was different for each person, but I think everyone left holding something new in their heart.” 

“We continue to work toward and understand what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God, and that life – humanity and [all of] creation – has a certain dignity,” Sister Janice said. “That’s what Martin Luther King focused on, and he didn’t do it alone.”

Sister Patricia McDonald, OP, helped organize the retreat. “We wanted to help people become aware of the injustices some people have to deal with,” she said. She added that the retreat was a “good reinforcement” of what she had learned as a history teacher and historian. “I’ve always looked at civil rights as an area of study,” she said. “It’s a social justice issue, and the African-American population has been treated so unjustly.” 

The Selma Retreat was not Sister Pat’s first study of the civil rights movement. She participated in an April 2019 civil rights pilgrimage to Alabama with seven other Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates and members of the First Presbyterian Church in Tecumseh, Michigan. “What hit me was to be physically in the space and to walk the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and to know that that was where African Americans were beaten,” she said.

Both experiences reinforced for Sister Pat the awareness of the racial injustice still found in the United States. “Our rules are not fair,” she said. “It instills in me the responsibility we have to be just and … to have a social consciousness. What struck me is the need to change unjust rules, practices, and laws that exist in our democracy.”

Sister Nancyann Turner, OP, was especially impressed by the integration of the civil rights advocates’ faith with their actions. “Hopefully, that foundation and integration is part of all that we are about.” 

Sister Nancyann also admired the courage and persistence of the civil rights activists. “I have not yet had to put my life on the line for my beliefs, but I surely hope I would be willing to,” she said. “I lament with so many people today and I surely want to walk with them in hope.” 

Sister Janet Wright, OP, said she was jolted when walking into the museum. “Some of the fear and anxiety came back for a few minutes,” as she recalled original intense feelings in 1965 during the Selma March. “Some of our Sisters wanted very much to go to Selma but couldn’t,” she said. 

In general, Sister Janet said, the retreat “has given me a renewed and more informed awareness of the courage of all involved in civil rights and voting rights.”

Sister Janice believes the call of civil rights activists 60 years ago is still ringing today. “We are called to stand up for one another,” she said. “We are called to speak truth to power and to do that in a way that is respectful. We’re part of a larger body of Christ, and we’re called to [speak out] for one another.”

 

Caption for above feature photo: Participants in during the second day of the October 31-November 1, 2025, Selma Retreat pose in the foyer of the Charles Wright Museum of African American History.