What's Happening

By Sister Tarianne DeYonker, OP

July 23, 2025, Chicago – On a not-yet-so-sticky Tuesday afternoon in June, eight young women ranging in age from 18 to 43 began arriving in Westchester, Illinois, to meet with Dominican sisters for a service week advertised as “Preaching in Action, Igniting Hope.” 

Six vocation ministers representing various congregations of Dominican sisters welcomed them with hugs and smiles, a communal meal, prayer, and an overview of the week. Arriving for the most part as strangers, they were to become a close-knit community.
 
Service at a city farm, aptly named “Just Roots,” was the first event. Created on the grounds of St. James’ previous church building, the farm grows produce to be given to those who are hungry and shared with local food pantries. Staff could not have been more helpful or knowledgeable. 

The afternoon drew us to Aquinas Literacy Center, where the women shared a meal provided by Adrian Dominican Associate Alison Altmeyer, Director of the literacy center, and observe a class and one-to-one tutoring by young professionals who volunteer there. Two participants arranged donated furniture to make comfortable conversational settings for learners.
 
Thursday of the service week was Juneteenth, marking the day in 1865 that slaves in Galveston, Texas, finally learned two years later that they had been freed. A Sinsinawa Dominican Associate shared the significance of this new national holiday and spoke about some previously unknown Black saints and popes in Catholic history. A brief visit to the Du Sable Museum of African American History brought us to lunchtime and a brief tour of the museum. 

Our last service was at Brothers and Sisters of Immigrants, where the discerners prepared rooms for anticipated newcomers to the house. They also worked on other projects in the house that needed assistance. In between projects, volunteers had brief chances to play with the young children in the house.
 
By Friday, the week was coming to a close. Sister Connie Schoen, OP, a Dominican Sister of Peace, led a hearty, conversational exchange on restorative justice. This was followed by a fun afternoon trip to Navy Pier and back to Westchester for an outdoor Mass, presided by Father Jim Marchionda, OP, and a barbecue with sisters living and ministering in the area. 

The participants seemed to have had a wonderful time with each other and with the sites, where their service was both needed and welcomed. 

November 12, 2024, Adrian, Michigan – Catholic Sisters leading Michigan congregations that have collectively served the people of Michigan for more than 700 years are joining with other organizations and municipalities across the state in calling on state lawmakers to pass the Drive SAFE (Safety, Access, Freedom, and Economy) legislation pending in the legislature.
 
The Drive SAFE bill package would make non-commercial Michigan driver’s licenses and state identification cards available to applicants who do not have proof of U.S. citizenship or immigration status. The bill would allow undocumented immigrants to have driver’s licenses and reinstate the right to drive in Michigan, a right that was revoked in 2008 and that currently exists in 18 other states and Washington, D.C. The Drive SAFE bill package is supported by Strangers No Longer of Southeast Michigan, an immigrant advocacy organization.
 
“As women of faith we support this legislation because it honors the inherent dignity of all persons and supports the safety and welfare of all Michigan residents. We also support it as practical Michiganders because it makes common sense and is cost-effective,” the leaders stated.
 
Providing access to driver’s licenses and state IDs for all residents of Michigan – regardless of their documentation – gives residents the ability to care for their families and get to and from work and/or school without fear of being arrested, detained, and deported. It also enables residents to participate in daily activities in their communities that require identification. 
 
“These bills would benefit all Michiganders, making our roads and communities safer and improve our economy by adding to the state’s revenue,” the Sisters said.  
 
The legislation provides that all drivers be trained, screened, and tested and required to have auto insurance. In case of emergencies, officials would be able to efficiently identify all individuals. The legislation is estimated to increase revenues in the State of Michigan by up to $13.5 million within the first three years of its passage.
 
“We strongly urge our legislators to pass Drive SAFE legislation for the common good of all residents of Michigan,” the Sisters stated.
 

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The Michigan congregations whose leaders have issued this statement include Dominican Sisters of Adrian; Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids; Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe; Congregation of St. Joseph, Detroit; Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary of Detroit; Servants of Jesus, Detroit. The leaders of these congregations are members of the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and part of its geographic Region VII.