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June 26, 2023, Baltimore, Maryland – The Adrian Dominican Sisters and Barry University – a Miami, Florida-based university founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters – recently received awards from the Catholic Media Association (CMA).
The Adrian Dominican Sisters received first place in the Best Annual Report for a Catholic Nonprofit Organization category for the 2021-2022 Annual Report, Awakening to the World Around Us. The award was announced during the closing banquet at the Catholic Media Association’s (CMA) 2023 conference, held June 6-9, 2023, in Baltimore, Maryland.
The title of the 2021-2022 is taken from the Prayer for General Chapter 2022, written by Patricia Siemen, OP, Prioress at the time, asking God to awaken the Sisters and Associates to love. The annual report details the various ways that Sisters, Associates, Co-workers, and Benefactors have responded to the needs of the wounded world with awakened love.
Judges noted that the annual report “goes beyond the balance sheet to showcase interesting tidbits, easy-to-read articles, and quotes from those involved in the efforts,” and particularly appreciated the explanation on the back cover of the symbols on the front cover.
Co-workers in the Development and Communications Offices collaborated on the 2021-2022 annual report. Development Co-workers are Amy Palmer, Director; Laura Brosamer; Sister Kathleen Schanz, OP; Tracy Schultz; and Sarah Veres. Members of the Communications team at the time of the annual report’s production were Angie Kessler, Director; Ashley Concord; Ashley Duke; Sister Barbara Kelley, OP; Jakob Smith; and Sheila Wathen.
Students working at Barry University’s magazine, The Barry Buccaneer, received the Student Journalism Awards for Writer of the Year (first place), Best Article on Social Justice (third place), Best Creative Writing (first place), Best Front Page (second place), Best Use of Graphics with an Article (first, second, and third place), Best Single Photo (second place), and Best Story and Photo Package by an Individual (first place).
Formerly known as the Catholic Press Association, the CMA is an association of U.S. and Canadian newspaper and media specialists who report on issues and news involving the Catholic Church and Catholic organizations.
June 23, 2023, Adrian, Michigan – “Women over recorded history have always made an impact. … We need to improve the world where we are, as we are. This is our turn, my friends. The world we have created is [the product] of our thinking. It cannot change without changing our thinking.”
These words of encouragement came from Sister Patricia McDonald, OP, during a live-stream presentation by several Dominican Sisters who reported on their experiences of the 67th meeting of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), at the United Nations in March 2023. The live stream presentation on CSW 67 by Dominican Sisters was broadcast June 20, 2023.
Founded in 1947, the CSW is “the biggest global policy entity for women by the United Nations,” explained Sister Durstyne Farnan, OP. The Commission is “driven to advance the rights of women and girls everywhere,” she said, adding that CSW 67 ended with 89 agreed conclusions.
As the Dominican Representative to the United Nations, Sister Durstyne invited Dominican Sisters from throughout the world to attend CSW 67. The Sisters stayed together at the Center at Mariandale, a retreat center owned by the Maryknoll Sisters, and commuted together daily to the United Nations to attend three or four of the many side events offered to the public. Back at Mariandale, they shared dinner and discussions about their experiences.
Sister Kathleen Nolan, OP, Director of the Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation, connected the work of the CSW to the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ 2022 Enactment on Women. The Enactment commits the Congregation to “strive to attain gender equality and women’s full and equal participation and decision making in Church and society.”
“We all agree that the realization of all human rights and the fundamental freedom of all women is essential for the empowerment of women,” Sister Kathleen said. “What is implicit in our Enactment and in the agreed conclusions [of CSW 67] is a world where women and girls have the right to live free of violence, go to school, participate in the decisions of the societies in which they live, and receive equal pay for equal work.”
Sister Bibiana “Bless” Colasito, OP, General Councilor, spoke to the theme of CSW 67: technology and women. “There is a need to address challenges associated with the misuse of new and emerging digital technologies which can be used to incite violence, hatred, discrimination, and hostility,” she said. “Technology can make or break a woman. It can make a woman when it is used to develop her full potential, but it breaks a woman when it is used to inflict pain and suffering in her life.”
Other Adrian Dominican Sisters who attended CSW 67 and who spoke during the presentation were Sisters Ellen Burkhardt, OP, Patricia Leonard, OP, and Judith Friedel, OP. Adrian Dominican Sister Judith Benkert, OP, also in attendance, read the written experience of Sister Sarudzai Mutero, OP, of Zimbabwe. Other presenters were Sister Philomena Benedict, OP, of England, and Sister Venentia Velase “Velie” Muthembu, OP, of South Africa. The Sisters from England and Africa represented Dominican Sisters International.
Sisters who attended the UN Session but were not quoted in the article, from left to right: Sister EllenBurkhardt, OP; Sister Judith Benkert, OP; Sister Patricia Leonard, OP; Sister Judith Friedel, OP
Watch a recording of the presentation below.