What's Happening

May 7, 2025, Adrian, Michigan – For the second year in a row, Joanne Wood, Spanish teacher at Lenawee Christian School in Adrian, brought her service group of eight seniors to the Dominican Life Center (DLC) at the Adrian Dominican Sisters Motherhouse Campus for the school’s annual day of service. Spending the day with the Sisters were Keira Naegele, Brielle Parker, Madison Pillar, Laina Reitz, Ila Stewart, Tory Swiggum, Ava TenCate, and Emilia Yatzek. 

The students comprise one of three groups of seniors who provided service on April 28, 2025. The other groups served at different sites.

Sandy Place, RN, DLC Administrator, explained that the students spent a full day at the DLC, beginning with a blessing of the hands created by the Spiritual and Social Care Services Department. Chaplain Bryan Gregory read the blessing, while Chaplain Pamela Przybylski blessed the hands of the students and others in attendance.

During the day, the students worked with Sisters to plant flowers in pots at the entrance of the Regina residence or planted perennials in the permaculture section; paused for a pizza lunch; bussed tables in the dining room after the Sisters’ lunch; spent time speaking with the Sisters; and created cards to be distributed to Sisters who seldom have visitors.

The day brought joy to the students as well as the Sisters.

“I like helping people,” said Keira, who hopes to study music education at Michigan State University and serve as a band director. “I’m happy to take the opportunity to do what needs to be done and show God’s love for others.”

Emilia, granddaughter of Sandy, said she had come to the DLC last year for service day and enjoyed it. “We’re just happy to come back,” she said. She was impressed by meeting one of the Sisters who ministered in a variety of ways over the years, including teaching. Emilia herself plans to attend Adrian College to study Elementary Education.

“I like talking with the Sisters and listening to them and their life stories and how they help people,” said Ila, who plans to study interior design.   

Both Joanne and Sandy also appreciated the day and the blessings it brought to everyone involved.

Joanne said the students in her group have been working together in service for four years. “We meet on a monthly basis,” she explained. “We’re looking for an opportunity to help others, putting hands and feet at the service of others. When you come to serve, you are also blessed.”

“This is the second year in a row that Joanne Wood’s service class has come to the DLC to provide service to our campus, and we have both received blessings from their visit,” Sandy said. “I am hoping this becomes an annual event.”
 

Caption for above feature photo: Participating in the day of service are, from left, Sandy Place, Administrator of the Dominican Life Center; students Emilia Yatzek, Ila Stewart, Tory Swiggum, and Brielle Parker; Spanish teacher Joanne Wood; and students Keira Naegele, Ava TenCate, Laina Reitz, and Mady Pillar. 

October 4, 2022, Washington, D.C. – Sister Donna Markham, OP, PhD, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), was among the Nonprofit Times’ (NPT) 2022 Power and Influence Top 50 during a gala held in September at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. This is the seventh year in a row that Sister Donna has received this honor.

“The honorees have distinguished themselves as initiators, innovators, and leaders who can redirect and sometimes restrict vital nonprofits and their operations,” wrote Paul Clolery in the announcement of the top 50 honorees. He noted that the honorees distinguished themselves in their day-in, day-out work during a challenging year, still affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, food shortages, and inflation.

Sister Donna was recognized for going beyond talk in the social sector and taking action, such as visiting the border to see firsthand the situation for immigrants. Responding to the challenges faced by 58,000 Catholic Charities workers, Sister Donna is focusing on housing and healthcare, “particularly seeing housing as a moral imperative and partnering with anyone willing to pitch in,” the 2022 Top 50 influencers program states. 

Catholic Charities USA is the national office for diocesan agencies throughout the United States. Its mission is “to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.” 

Catholic Charities agencies serve all people in need in such areas as food and nutrition, affordable housing, social enterprise initiatives, advocacy and social policy initiatives, immigration and refugee services, disaster relief, and leadership development and Catholic identity. Sister Donna is the first female President and CEO in CCUSA’s more than 110 years of history.

 

Featured photo: Leaders attending the Nonprofit Times 2022 Power and Influence Top 50 Gala are, from left, Jonathan Reckford, President of Habitat for Humanity; Nancy Brown, President of the American Heart Association; Sister Donna Markham, OP, PhD, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA; and Gail McGovern, President of the American Red Cross.