What's Happening

March 4, 2021, Washington, D.C. – Cardinal Wilton Gregory, of the Archdiocese of Washington, has had strong ties to Catholic Sisters since he first attended St. Carthage School in Chicago. Taught by Adrian Dominican Sisters there, he was inspired to convert to Catholicism and to become a priest. An article on Cardinal Gregory’s rapport with religious Sisters cites a statement of support by the Adrian Dominican Sisters when then-Archbishop Gregory was named the first African-American Cardinal. Read the entire article by Josephine Von Dohlen in The Catholic Standard, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

Feature photo: Sisters Lorraine (Johneda) Pepin, OP, and Pilar Martin, OP, spend time with students at St. Carthage School in Chicago, circa 1959. Cardinal Wilton Gregory attended this school. Adrian Dominican Sisters File Photo

August 13, 2020, Adrian, Michigan – As she formally assumes the role of President of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), Adrian Dominican Sister Elise D. García, OP, spoke of her role as a “bridge” between younger and older women religious. 

The LCWR is an association of elected leaders of congregations of women religious, representing about 80% of the women religious in the United States.

Sister Elise, a member of the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ General Council, entered the Congregation at the age of 50. She brought her childhood experiences in five countries – representing the diversity that is so much a part of religious life today – as well as a wealth of experience in communications and development in non-profit organizations; and in book publishing. When she entered, she was Co-founder and Co-director with Sister Carol Coston, OP, of Santuario Sisterfarm, a farm and ecological center in the Texas hill country. 

Before her election to the General Council in 2016, Sister Elise ministered as Director of Communications for the Congregation.

The formal transfer of leadership was set during the LCWR’s Assembly, held virtually August 12-14, 2020. Sister Elise will serve a one-year term as President, part of a leadership team with Sister Jayne Helmlinger, CSJ, Past President, and Sister Jane Herb, IHM, President-Elect. 

Read more about Sister Elise’s life’s journey and her leadership role in religious life and in the LCWR in a Global Sisters Report article by Soli Salgado.