What's Happening

December 27, 2022, Adrian, Michigan – For many years, the Adrian Dominican Congregation – along with numerous congregations of U.S. Catholic women religious – have followed the call of Pope Francis in his 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, to live more sustainably on Earth to address global climate change and environmental degradation. Now – in response to one of its 2022 General Chapter Enactments – the Congregation will join with other Catholic organizations worldwide as participants in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.

“This is not a call to do more, but to develop more deeply and to plan and chronicle what we do and share it with the world,” said Sister Corinne Sanders, OP, General Councilor and former Director of the Office of Sustainability. “One of the hopes is that as we put forth what we are doing [and we can learn about what] other groups are doing, as well. It becomes a public domain for people to see what is being done.” Her comments were made during a December 16, 2022, presentation at Weber Retreat and Conference Center and live streamed.

The Adrian Dominican Sisters’ sustainability efforts through the years include a permaculture site on the Motherhouse grounds, an agricultural design that works with and learns from nature rather than controlling it; a solar array field behind Weber Retreat and Conference Center; a solar panel carport at the Regina residence; and the installation of LED lights on Motherhouse buildings to decrease electricity usage. 

Sister Corinne noted that the Adrian Dominican Sisters, in joining the Action Platform, will first have to undergo an assessment of current sustainability efforts, a “deep dive into how we are already living.” The Congregation will then receive feedback and recognition of the progress that’s already being made.

Sister Kathleen Nolan, OP – Director of the Office of Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation – reviewed the goals of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform: response to the cry of the Earth; response to the cry of the poor; ecological economics; education; adoption of sustainable lifestyles; ecological spirituality; and community engagement and participatory action.

Sister Kathleen encouraged the audience to see each goal as a “destination of our journey, a wholistic vision of integral ecology: caring for each other, being moderate in the use of our resources, celebrating our Creator.” She noted that working toward the goals is not a change in direction but a deepening of current commitments. “We’re responding to a call for healing in our relationship with God, our neighbors and our Earth as we strive to create a better future – with other congregations, parishes, and institutions,” she said.

The presentation can be viewed below. 

 

 

November 28, 2022, Washington, D.C. – Sister Donna Markham, OP, PhD, addressed members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) during its annual assembly on November 15, 2022, for a final time as President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA). The first female to head CCUSA, Sister Donna announced recently that she will retire next year.

CCUSA is a network of agencies through the United States that address the needs of vulnerable people. Sister Donna told the U.S. Bishops that her goal was to "help this ministry become more financially stable and nimble as the entire Catholic Charities network responds to increasing demands to care for growing numbers of disaster victims, migrants, homeless folks, hungry people, mentally ill, addicted people, and families and children in precarious socio-economic situations."

Sister Donna, Prioress of the Adrian Dominican Congregation from 2004 to 2010, spoke not only of the needs of people throughout the United States and in territories such as Puerto Rico, but of the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations in helping CCUSA agencies meet those needs. 

"It’s important for you to tell the story of the Catholic Church’s response in this country to people who reside along the margins of our society, the very most fragile, the most vulnerable – to be able to say this is where our Church puts the Gospel into action," Sister Donna said. "It’s where Matthew 25 comes alive palpably every day across the entire country."

Watch the video of Sister Donna’s address.