What's Happening

November 25, 2015, Adrian, Michigan – Are you looking for a meaningful and non-commercial Christmas gift for a loved one who cares about peace and justice? One suggestion is to adopt a crane and receive a painted crane – or a photo of a crane – created by one of our Adrian Dominican artists.

The cranes can be viewed and purchased online at www.1000cranesforiraq.org. They are available for a $100 donation, which will support the refugee relief efforts of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Mosul, Iraq. The website was established on August 6, 2015, on the one-year anniversary of the flight of the Dominican Sisters of Iraq, their families, and other Christian and minority Iraqis in response to the imminent threat of attack by ISIS.

Since January, Sister Barbara Cervenka, OP, has been creating one oil painting per day depicting a folded crane; she intends to paint 1,000 folded cranes. Sister Janet Wright has created water color paintings of actual cranes, and Sister Sue Schreiber has taken photographs of people with the folded cranes. 

The project centers on the legend made famous by a Japanese girl exposed to radiation from the Hiroshima atomic bomb. Years later, Sadako Sasaki died of leukemia at age 12 before she could fulfill her wish of folding 1000 cranes in prayer for health and world peace. Her classmates finished the project.

To date, nearly 145 cranes have been purchased. The project has spawned a great deal of creativity, as well as support and concern for the Iraqi refugees. The cranes have been purchased in memory or in honor of loved ones; for organizations such as parishes, Bible study groups, and Adrian Dominican Mission Councils; and in recognition of weddings and other special events.

To make a donation and select your crane, visit the 1,000 Cranes for Iraq website.

November 24, 2015, Adrian, Michigan – The Adrian Dominican Sisters formally welcomed five new Associates in November during Rituals of Acceptance that took place in two states. 

The St. Louis Associates gathered on Saturday, November 14, 2015, for a retreat day led by Sister Joan Delaplane. After a morning spent in prayer, quiet reflection, and sharing, Julie Jones made her commitment as an Associate of the Adrian Dominican Sisters.  

Julie Jones signs the commitment document, while her mentor, Associate Jo Curran, looks on.

Julie, Vice President of Mission for the Mercy Health System, first visited the St. Louis Associates last January, looking for a group of women to share life and faith. As Julie stated, “I am better in community than I am alone.” She then began her formation for association with Associate Jo Curran as her mentor. After much study and discernment, Julie decided to become an Associate. She said her decision was finalized during her visit to the Adrian Dominican Motherhouse, where she saw a quote about contemplation. She knew then that this is where she belonged.  

Julie, from St. Louis, met Sister Joan Delaplane and the local Associates while receiving a master’s degree in theology from the Aquinas Institute of Theology, a Dominican graduate school. In her position at Mercy Health, Julie develops formation content and leads formation for board members and executives. She coaches executives to help them integrate faith and values into their leadership. In addition, Julie oversees the provision of pastoral care to patients served by hospitals and physicians in four states. She enjoys helping others grow professionally. 

Mary Lach, Director of Associate Life, presided over the Ritual of Acceptance on November 15 in Miami, where she had given presentations to the faculty and staff of Barry University. The four new Associates had been mentored as a group by Sisters Margaret Exworthy and Margot Ruiz.

The new Associates are:

• - Nancy Medina, who, as a tutor, met Sister Margaret Exworthy in 2008 at DePorres Place, a literacy center sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Born in Puerto Rico, she has been married to Carlos for 12 years. They are both involved in parish ministries, such as Marriage Encounter. Along with tutoring, Nancy helps with the Knights of Columbus. Last August, she attended Partners III, a weekend gathering of Associates in Adrian. She has a deep love for our God.

• - Sandra Pino: In 2002, Sandra came to DePorres Place to learn to speak English. She now manages the office and serves as a tutor. Sandra, a gifted artist, often expresses the Dominican charism through art. She was born in Cali, Colombia, the youngest of five sisters, and met her husband while earning her degree in engineering. A deep thinker, Sandra also has a deep love of animals and a care for Earth. 

• - Nelson Pino was born in Cali, Colombia, and came to the United States in 2002 with Sandra. He brought his brothers and sisters, as well as Sandra, to DePorres Place to learn English. He and Sandra have become family to Sister Margaret. Nelson is an engineer, and when the company he was working for relocated, he decided to stay in West Palm Beach and work at the literacy center. He has a deep desire to help immigrants and those less fortunate. Nelson and Sandra have decided to live simply and embrace the Dominican charism.

• - Peggy Rowe-Linn: Peggy’s Adrian Dominican roots go back to her attendance at St. Ann School and Cardinal Newman High School, where she was taught by Adrian Dominican Sisters. Now grandparents, Peggy and her husband Steve sent their four children to Rosarian Academy – also sponsored by the Adrian Dominicans. A lawyer specializing in family law, she works as a mediator for families in conflict. Peggy and Steve are very active in their parish, St. Rita in Wellington, Florida, which hosted the Ritual of Acceptance. 

Submitted by Mary Lach