What's Happening

November 9, 2015, Santa Sabina, Rome, Italy – Dominican Father Bruno Cadoré, Master of the Order, formally kicked off the Jubilee Year marking the 800th anniversary of the Order of Preachers with a special address to the Dominican family from Santa Sabina, the church in Rome where St. Dominic rooted his order’s preaching mission in 1216. The Jubilee Year began November 7, 2015, the Feast of All Dominican Saints, and will conclude on January 21, 2017. 

“For [St. Dominic]  to go and preach meant, as is shown in the mosaic of Santa Sabina, to preach unity: unity between the circumcised and the gentiles, unity among those who believe and those who do not believe, the unity of all, because all are capable of the same communion,” Father Cadoré said in his message. To listen to the Jubilee Message, spoken in French with English subtitles, click on the link above and scroll down to the video.

By Sister Nancyann Turner, OP
 
November 6, 2015, Detroit, Michigan – Numerous Adrian Dominican Sisters and other guests made their way on the sunny Sunday afternoon of November 1, to visit and welcome the Congregation’s newest literacy center. All Saints Literacy Center was bright, cheerful, and blessed with plenty of sunshine for this special occasion. Tables, computers, and numerous reading materials add to the Center’s learning environment. 

Although All Saints has already been in use for several months, the open house was the first time that many visitors had the opportunity to see the actual site.  

Sister Mary Hemmen, OP, left, speaks with a former student of St. Anthony School, the site of the new All Saints Literacy Center. Photo by Sister Frances Nadolny, OP

Visitors had the opportunity to greet Sister Mary Hemmen, OP, who guided the development of this literacy Center. As part of the open house, Roger Frank was introduced as the founding director. The afternoon also included a concert and refreshments. 

Located in southwestern Detroit, All Saints Literacy Center “is committed to helping adults reach their educational, social and career goals by improving their literacy skills. The Center is a welcoming place for learners to improve their ability to read, write, do math and speak in English.” Other services include English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring at all levels, for learners 18 and older.

All Saints joins the Congregation’s other literacy centers: Dominican and Siena Literacy Centers, both in Detroit; Aquinas Literacy Center, Chicago; DePorres Place, West Palm Beach, Florida; N.E.W. Life Literacy Center, Flint, Michigan; and Adrian Rea Literacy Center, Adrian, Michigan.

A view of the lab at All Saints Literacy Center. Photo by Sister Frances Nadolny, OP

I felt so proud and grateful for this latest literacy endeavor by our Congregation and for the many Adrian Dominican Sisters who travelled from Adrian and the greater Detroit area to attend this event. These Sisters had been working all week and had invested two full days at Session I of General Chapter. Yet nearly 40 of our Sisters participated  in one more wonderful event on Sunday. This loyalty and faithfulness truly stirred my spirit and filled me with awe.