What's Happening

August 16, 2022, New London, Connecticut – As volunteer and professional catechists prepare for another year of offering religious education to elementary and high school students, the latest book by Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP, might give them the spiritual support they need.

Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP

Sister Janet’s book, Calming Meditations for Busy Catechists, was recently released by Twenty-Third Publications. The 32-page booklet offers prayers and meditations for catechists, whether they’re overwhelmed and feeling unqualified to teach or their students are responding well to their lessons. Each meditation also includes a suggested action to help bring peace and confidence to catechists.

The retail price is $3.95 for one copy, $34.90 for 10 copies, $147.50 for 50 copies, $249 for 100 copies, and $487.50 for 250 copies. The booklet can be ordered through the website of Twenty-Third Publications or by phone at 1-800-321-0411. 

Calming Meditations for Busy Catechists is also available at the Weber Center Shop at Weber Retreat and Conference Center. Copies can be picked up in person from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturdays. The shop is closed for lunch from noon to 12:45 p.m. Copies can also be ordered from the Weber Shop through email, [email protected] or by calling 517-266-4035.  

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.

August 8, 2022, Adrian, Michigan – With the delivery of an electric lawn mower, the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Motherhouse Campus took the first step in using more sustainable, electric vehicles in its work on facilities and grounds. 

“This really marks the first step in our sustainability efforts on moving away from gas vehicles and gas engines and gas mowers to something that’s more sustainable, something that’s electric that we can charge off of, eventually, our solar grid,” said Joel Henricks, Director of Facilities and Grounds. 

The electric mower is part of a long-time effort by the Adrian Dominican Sisters to live sustainably on their Motherhouse Campus in Adrian. Other efforts over the years include a field of solar arrays; a solar panel carport; a Permaculture garden; and the installation of brighter and more efficient LED lighting in the campus buildings. These initiatives are an effort to live out the Congregation’s 2016 Enactment on Sustainability.

Watch the video of the arrival of the electric lawn mower below.
 

Featured photo: R.J. Hauenstein, a Co-worker in Campus Facilities and Grounds, tests out the new electric mower.