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Springfield, Illinois, April 24, 2026 – Single Catholic women, ages 20 to 45 who are discerning a call to religious life as a Dominican Sister, are invited to the hometown of President Lincoln in June for a national event hosted by the Springfield Dominican Sisters. The collaborative event is co-sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Sinsinawa, and Peace.

Applications are being received now, and up to 15 women will be selected to participate in this event, scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, 2026, through Saturday, June 20, 2026. The group will live at Sacred Heart Convent and experience the rhythms of apostolic religious life, including community life, prayer, active service, and theological reflection. They will have the opportunity to serve at local nonprofit organizations.

“Springfield is the perfect place to give women a taste of the foundations, or pillars, of Dominican life: community life, prayer, study, and preaching or service,” said Sister Denise Glazik, OP, Minister of Vocation Accompaniment for the Springfield Dominican Sisters. “Our senior sisters at the Motherhouse are gracious and welcoming, and the city is home to some stellar nonprofit organizations that will provide a wonderful immersion experience for participants.”

Sister Nancy Jurecki, OP, Coordinator of the Vocation Team for the Adrian Dominican Sisters, said the program is “an opportunity for young women who believe God might be tapping them on the shoulders to meet Dominican Sisters in person and experience, with them, the pillars of Dominican life.” 

The application deadline is Monday, June 1, 2026, and interested women are encouraged to apply as soon as possible here. 

The $50 registration fee should not be a barrier for any applicant. Scholarships are available for those who need them. 

September 11, 2025, Adrian, Michigan – The Adrian Dominican Congregation welcomed a new candidate during a prayer service at the Adrian Motherhouse September 8, 2025.

“I desire to grow in authenticity, speak my truth, share my gifts in service and prayer. I ask to walk together in community, in challenge that is mutual, caridad amistad, and to find friendships along the way,” said Elizabeth Guerrero during the Rite of Entrance into Candidacy. The rite is the first step in a formation process that could lead Elizabeth to taking her first profession of vows with the Adrian Dominican Sisters. 

As a symbol of her desire for entrance, Elizabeth knocked on the door of St. Catherine Chapel and was admitted by Sister Tarianne DeYonker, OP, Director of Candidacy. During a formal examination by Prioress Elise D. García, OP, Sister Tarianne attested to Elizabeth’s readiness to begin a year of discernment as a candidate. 

“In faithfulness you have listened to God’s call and have responded with a ‘yes’ to continue with us in a relationship of mutual discernment for vowed membership,” Sister Elise said to Elizabeth. “We welcome you into our midst to share faith and life in the mission of Jesus.” After accepting a copy of the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Mission Statement from Sister Elise, Elizabeth joined the assembled Sisters in proclaiming the Mission Statement.

Elizabeth will spend her candidacy year volunteering at the St. Mary Food Pantry and Dire Needs program of Holy Family Parish in Adrian, tutoring at the Adrian Rea Literacy Center, helping set up new art displays for the art gallery in Madden Hall at the Motherhouse, visiting Sisters living at the Dominican Life Center, and studying Spanish and the history of the Adrian Dominican Sisters.

The fifth of the six children of Jesus L. and Élida C. Guerrero, Elizabeth was raised in Crystal City, Texas. There, she attended school during the school year and, in the summers, was a migrant worker with her family, working on farms in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Indiana. She attended junior college and transferred to Minnesota State University in Moorhead, where she studied commercial art.

Elizabeth began her career working at a small boutique publishing agency; an advertising agency in San Antonio, Texas; as a freelance graphic designer and publisher; and for a small newspaper in her hometown. 

Eventually, that work “wasn’t fulfilling anymore,” Elizabeth said. “I was looking for something more.” She entered the Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence, a small congregation based in San Antonio. She was received into the novitiate in 2011 and made her first profession of vows in 2012. Her ministries included teaching, social services, and parish ministry.

Desiring a different expression of community life, Elizabeth left the Missionary Catechists and sought another congregation of Catholic Sisters. She visited several congregations before discerning her call to enter the Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Shortly before entering, Elizabeth completed her ministry as a lay woman as Executive Director of the Asociación de Hermanas Latinas Misioneras en América (AHLMA), a national organization, primarily for Sisters coming from Latin America and missioned to the United States. The organization is now open to U.S.-born Latinas and to U.S. Sisters who find themselves the only women of color in their community, Elizabeth said. As a representative of AHLMA, Elizabeth served on the Board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), nominated by leaders from several congregations, including the Adrian Dominican Sisters, she said. She was involved in administration, but particularly enjoyed developing programs and meeting Sisters.

“I am very happy to be here with the Adrian Dominican Sisters,” Elizabeth said. “The welcome and reception have been warm and inviting, affirming that my gifts and presence matter. I see this community as a place where I can continue to grow in authenticity, service, and faith.”   
 

Caption for above feature photo: Prioress Elise D. García, OP, right, formally examines Elizabeth Guerrero about her intention to enter the Adrian Dominican Congregation.