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March 17, 2021, Adrian, Michigan – To mark the first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Daily Telegram newspaper in Adrian profiled the stories of many of the more than 100 local lives lost due to coronavirus. Among those were 13 Adrian Dominican Sisters, who represent a total of 874 years of ministry – more than 300 in education. Two were particularly noted for their direct ministry in Adrian and in Lenawee County. Sister Esther Ortega, OP, upon retirement, ministered to migrant workers in the county. Sister Patricia O’Reilly, OP, served as admission coordinator at ProMedica Bixby Hospital in Adrian. Read the entire article by Spencer Durham.
Feature photo: Cemetery of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, Adrian, Michigan
March 12, 2021, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Humberto Ruíz Castillo (1897-1966) – respected engineer and architect and the father of Adrian Dominican Sisters Margarita “Margot” Ruíz, OP, and Teresita “Tete” Ruíz, OP – was honored recently during a special Mass marking the beginning of a renovation project on a chapel he designed.
Humberto Ruíz Castillo designed a chapel located in the Palacio Nacional and dedicated to Archangel Raphael. The Palacio Nacional houses the executive offices of President Luis Abinader and Vice President Raquel Peña de Antuña. The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop of Santo Domingo Francisco Ozoria Acosta.
Sister Margot said the special event also focused on her father’s work. She and Sister were unable to attend, but their nieces and nephews represented the family. Members of her family were also asked to provide anecdotes about the architect for a book that will be written about his life and work.
“We are so proud,” Sister Margot said. “After the ceremony, my nieces and nephews were so proud to know that their grandfather was so good, so appreciated, and so intelligent.”
Humberto Ruíz Castillo designed and constructed several Catholic churches, as well as the Colegio Santo Domingo, the grade school and high school opened and staffed by Adrian Dominican Sisters. He also had a profound impact on his students at the University of Santo Domingo, passing on what he had learned in Europe and introducing them to Art Deco. In addition, he founded the Dominican Republic’s first association of engineers and architects.
Humberto Ruíz Castillo has long been recognized for his contributions to the Church and to the Dominican Republic. In 1949, the Vatican consecrated him in the Order of St. Gregory the Great, one of the Orders of Knighthood bestowed by the Vatican in recognition of meritorious service to the Church. He was also named Diocesan Architect.
In addition, the Dominican Republic issued commemorative stamps in his honor in May 2018. On that occasion, Sister Margot recalled, her father was remembered as someone who was “very honest, disciplined, and generous – an example to all society. He put his heart into everything he did.”
Feature photo: This chapel at the Palacio Nacional, the executive building of the President of the Dominican Republic, was designed by Humberto Ruiz Castillo, father of Sisters Margarita and Teresita Ruíz, OP.