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January 27, 2022, Lansing, Michigan – As Mark Murray, a 1972 graduate of Lansing Catholic High School, prepares to retire from a career that included serving as CEO of Meijer, President of Grand Valley State University, and state treasurer, he cites many influences along the way. Among them are his time in Catholic school and the late Sister Patricia Brady, OP, one of his high school teachers.

Sister Patricia Brady, OP

Sister Patricia, formerly known as Sister Francis Kevin, was influential in the lives of countless high school students. In 1999, she founded what would become the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference, in which students and faculty members from Dominican high schools in the United States and beyond come together in the summer for a conference focused on the Dominican charism, especially the call to preach with their lives. She chaired the first board of directors of Dominican Volunteers USA and helped to found what later became known as the Dominican Association of Secondary Schools. She was director in 2008. Sister Patricia died in 2019.

Read the profile of Mark Murray in the Winter 2022 issue of Lansing Catholic High School’s magazine, Totus Tuus. Scroll down to page 19 to read the article, written by teacher Stephanie Van Koevering.

Feature photo: Participants in a recent Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference, founded by the late Sister Patricia Brady, OP, gather for a group photo. Adrian Dominican Sisters File Photo

July 22, 2021, Detroit – As a catechist or parent planning to teach the faith to children, how do you reach out to help your young students understand their lesson? What methods can you use to reach every student in your class?

Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP, noted author and speaker on religious education and faith formation, offers suggestions in her latest book, Sharing the Faith with Every Child: A Catechist’s Guide to the Many Ways We Learn. She explores nine major learning styles and offers practical suggestions on ways to engage those styles to help children grasp their faith at a deeper level.

A retreat leader and a consultant for catechists and adult faith formation leaders, Sister Janet also once served as Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of Detroit. She is a recipient the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL) Distinguished Service Award.

Sister Janet has written numerous books and resources for catechists, including Spirituality for Catechists and The Creed: A Catechist’s Guide. She also writes annual Advent reflection booklets.

Sharing the Faith with Every Child is available from Twenty-third Publications or the Weber Center Shop. The Weber Center Shop is currently closed for personal shopping due to COVID-19, but can be reached at 517-266-4035 or at [email protected].