What's Happening

November 2, 2026, Adrian, Michigan – Six women made a formal commitment to live out the Dominican Charism during a Commitment Ceremony held on the evening of October 10, 2026, in Holy Rosary Chapel at the Adrian Dominican Sisters Motherhouse. The new Dominicans are Courtney Berrien and Yvette Koottungal, mentored by Sister Patricia Siemen, OP; Beth Blackburn, mentored by Sister Maribeth Howell, OP; Shaunie Wall-Marshall and AnaMaria Rodriguez, mentored by Associate Carmen McCrink; and Autumn Shaffier, mentored by Sister Janet Stankowski, OP.

The commitment ceremony took place during a discernment retreat for Adrian Dominican Associates as they ponder their call to become members of the Dominican Life Collaborative (DLC), a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that will be established on July 1, 2027. Read the related article about the discernment retreat. 

Associate Nancy Mason Bordley, Director of the Office of Dominican Charism, invited the assembly of retreat participants, other Associates and Sisters, and family members and friends to the ceremony. Associate Dee Joyner invited each of the mentors to introduce her candidate, and the candidates to speak about what drew them to their commitment to the Dominican Charism.

Sister Pat introduced Courtney, the Mission Officer and Senior Director of the Adrian Dominican Institute for Mission, Teaching, and Learning at Barry University. Courtney’s experiences include teaching internationally, engaging in reconciliation processes, and pursuing dialogue. In 2014, Courtney arrived at Barry University – founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters – and directed the engagement of human rights and social justice campaigns and supported refugee families and efforts toward ethical economic systems. 

“Courtney said that before her formation in the Dominican Charism, she wouldn’t have seen this as preaching,” Sister Pat said. “It was as the Director of the Adrian Dominican Institute that she saw how much her services aligned with the Dominican Charism.”

Courtney recalled her experience of growing up in the 1990s, surrounded by culture wars and being part of a liberal family. “When I was living in the Middle East, my understanding of the world expanded greatly, and part of that was because of a different background, but I was also surrounded by people who were Christian,” she said. 

When she came to Barry, “right away, everything fell into place,” she said. “The doors were opening, [but] it was 10 years before I came to know the Dominican Charism.” She has been challenged recently to do every task with a purpose, she said.   

Dee, filling in for Sister Maribeth, introduced Beth Blackburn as “a woman of deep faith and passion,” serious in her pursuit of study. Her journey into the Dominican family started when she pursued her studies at Aquinas Institute of Theology, a graduate school in the Dominican tradition, located in St. Louis, Missouri. “There, she was deeply rooted in the Dominican Charism,” Dee said.

Beth referred to her years at Aquinas as pivotal. She appreciated the theological material and the discussions with others in her cohort. “Aquinas is … possibly the reason I feel so grounded in the need for prayer, study, community, and preaching – the Dominican Charism,” she said. When her advisor at Aquinas suggested she contact the Adrian Dominican Congregation, Beth reached out to Nancy. She particularly enjoys her time with the Veritas Sojourner Group. 

“My fire and passion have been re-lit,” she said. “In light of what I have just shared, I desire to continue living the Dominican Charism and I formally request to be received as a member of the Dominican Family.

Sister Pat introduced Yvette, who arrived at Barry University from Kingston, Jamaica, in 1993 and formally converted to Catholicism in 2010 so that her son would have two Catholic parents. “Yvette understands that the Dominican way is to listen, discern, and act on it,” Sister Pat said. “When Yvette speaks, it is with a quiet, inner authority. She weighs the issues and sometimes redirects them.”

“I am here tonight to commit to a charism that shaped me long before I knew its name,” Yvette said. “It took me years to see that the charism was Barry’s secret sauce, baked into everything and working quietly on my development as a young professional and future leader.”

Yvette said she uses the Dominican focus on listening in her work in leading technology and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption at Barry University. “The Dominican way gives me the questions to ask: what is true, who is missing from the room, and whose dignity is at stake,” she said. “I am not here to admire this way of life. I am here to practice it.”

Standing in for Carmen, Sister Pat introduced Shaunie, whose life was shaped by the Dominican tradition. “Respect for others has long grounded her,” she said. “Through conversation and reflection, Shaunie can see that openness is only the beginning. Truth comes when you ask the deepest questions.”

“As I have reflected on my own journey, I have realized that the Dominican tradition has been quietly woven throughout so much of my life,” Shaunie said. She recalled her years at Holy Name Convent, a Catholic school founded by Dominican Sisters and located in Trinidad. “At the time, I did not necessarily recognize the influence of Dominican spirituality, but the values of education, service, community, and respect for others were quietly becoming a part of who I am,” she said. 

She brought those values with her to Barry University, where, as a student, she was involved in multiple service opportunities. Over her 24 years at Barry – now as an employee – she has continued to find opportunities that “contribute to Barry’s mission in ways that extend far beyond my job responsibilities.”

“I have come to appreciate that living the Dominican Charism requires more than sharing its values,” Shaunie concluded. “It calls us to be intentional about how we seek truth, listen to others, respond to injustice, and put our faith into action.”

AnaMaria is still guided by the foundation that was set in her native Colombia, valuing family, faith, and community, Sister Pat said, filling in for AnaMaria’s mentor, Carmen. “Her education at Barry has deepened her understanding of leadership, service, community, and response to others.” As a Co-worker at Barry, AnaMaria has also deepened her spiritual life.

“What drew me to the Dominican Charism was seeing it lived through the Adrian Dominican Sisters and the Barry community,” AnaMaria said. “Their commitment to education, compassion, justice, and human dignity connected with my own values. Over time, I began to understand how seeking truth and responding to others with love could give greater purpose to my life.” 

AnaMaria hopes to live out the Dominican Charism in her family life and in her work with students, other employees, and leaders at Barry University. “I want to deepen my relationship with God, continue learning about Dominican life, and walk alongside a community committed to truth, prayer, and service,” she concluded. “I bring an open heart and a sincere desire to live these values more intentionally each day.”

Associate Carol Hofer, speaking for Sister Janet, introduced Autumn, an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Lansing, Michigan, and a social justice advocate. “Autumn is courageous in the journey in these unprecedented times,” Carol said. “She is rooted in faith and is standing up against the culture of division.”

Her advocacy for social justice led Autumn to Dominican life. Three years ago, she said, she heard from a friend about associates of women’s religious congregations and began to explore associate communities online. “I eventually discovered the Adrian Dominicans’ website and was immediately drawn to its mission statement … and the ‘Take action’ section,” she said. “The invitation to address immigration, ecological, economic, human rights or other critical issues resonated deeply with me and prompted me to submit an inquiry.” 

Autumn had a “meaningful conversation” with Nancy Mason Bordley and was introduced to her mentor, Sister Janet. “Through our weekly meetings, as well as through videos and articles, Sister Janet helped me develop a deeper understanding of the Dominican Charism,” she said. Over the years, she visited the Motherhouse twice and participated in book clubs, Sojourner groups, and Community Circle gatherings.

“Each experience has strengthened my excitement about becoming part of this community, contributing to its mission, speaking truth, and spreading joy with other followers of Dominic and Catherine,” Autumn said.

Led by Associate Laura Law, the new Dominicans read their Commitment Statement together: “United in the Dominican Charism, we commit ourselves to sharing life, prayer and mission in service to the world. Together we seek truth and preach the Word, not only in speech but also through our lives. Rooted in the Dominican Charism, we participate in the transformation of our world within the emerging reign of God.”

After the new Dominicans signed the Commitment to the Dominican Charism document and received the symbolic gift of a book and a candle, members of the Dominican family in the assembly reaffirmed their own commitment to the Dominican Charism.

For more information about the Dominican Charism and participating in the Dominican Life Collaborative, contact Nancy Mason Bordley at 517-266-3534 or [email protected].

 

Feature photo at top: New Dominicans who made their commitment to the charism are, from left, AnaMaria Rodgriguez, Shaunie Wall-Marshall, Yvette Kootlungal, Autumn Shaffier, Beth Blackburn, and Courtney Berrien. Photo by Associate James Mallare.

 

By Sister Cheryl Liske, OP

October 28, 2026, Detroit – Since 2000, Adrian Dominican Sister Nancy Murray, OP, has traveled all over America and around the world performing for schools, parishes and Catholic organizations, and bringing to life various inspiring saints. But the “Dinner Church” booking was a whole new gig for her.  

Sister Nancy and Corpus Christi’s confirmation youth on October 19, 2026, offered a rap-style lesson for the 75 weekly “Dinner Church” attendees. Dinner Church is held every Monday at St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Resource Center, sponsored by St. Suzanne Our Lady Gate of Heaven Parish. The meal was provided by activist and healthy food promoter Chef Bea.  

While the dinner may be the reason the congregation comes and stays around, it is the lesson that fills the soul. Sister Nancy rapped an original composition, Stick with Me - The Call of the Apostles, and, along with the youth, performed Psalm 23. The musicians were accompanied by claps and snaps from the Dinner Church congregation, who left the evening filled with a hearty meal and a joy-filled Gospel-rap reminding them of Jesus’ words (reinterpreted), “Stick with Me.” 
 

Caption for above feature photo: From left, Daquan, Colby, Sister Nancy Murray, OP, and Ava perform a rap song for participants in the weekly Dinner Church at St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource Center in Detroit.
Photo by Steve Wasco, used with permission