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19th Annual Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference

Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference

Some 92 students from 24 Dominican high schools spent June 23-28 exploring their Dominican heritage and learning that the call of the Order of Preachers is to preach through their lives.

A collaboration of congregations of Dominican Sisters as well as the Dominican Friars, the 19th Annual Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference was hosted at Siena Heights University and the Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Adrian. Students and their adult mentors came from California, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and, for the first time, Australia to gather with their peers and form a community of young Dominican preachers.

From the welcoming addresses and opening ritual through the closing Liturgy, the students were kept engaged with opportunities to learn, share, and bond with one another. Each day of the preaching conference focused on a different aspect of preaching.

The focus for June 24 was on Preaching in the Dominican Tradition. Students were introduced to the Dominican history and to the Order’s saints through dramatic presentations. Patrick Spedale, Director of the Office for Campus Ministry at St. Pius High School in Houston, Texas, sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Houston, portrayed St. Dominic. Other portrayals of Dominican saints were by Brother Herman Johnson, OP (St. Martin de Porres Province), and St. Martin de Porres and St. Rose of Lima by Sister Xiomara Méndez-Hernández, OP (Adrian).

Michael Petro, of Cadinal Stritch High School and St. Kateri Academy in Eugene, Oregon, spoke to the students about the four pillars of Dominican Life: prayer, study, community, and preaching. Brother Joe Kilikevice, OP (St. Albert the Great Province), gave a presentation on the interfaith mission of the Dominican family. Sister Linda Mary DeLonias, OP (Springfield), helped the students and mentors prepare for a major component of the preaching conference: planning prayer services and liturgy throughout the week.

The students also spent their first full day being introduced to the various components of the Dominican family. Brother Herman Johnson, OP (St. Martin de Porres Province), Brother Jo Kilikevice, OP, and Father Dennis Woerter, OP (St. Albert the Great Province), introduced the students to the Friars. Speaking about the nuns were four Dominican Sisters of Adrian: Sisters Xiomara; Luchy Sori, OP; Marilín Llanes, OP; and Sister Katherine Frazier, a novice. Katie Love and Marge Coneset, Associates of Adrian, spoke about Dominican Associates.

Also represented were the Dominican Laity, Kathy Niemiec and Gwendolin Weinberger; Dominican Young Adults USA, Keegan Pabst and Kiersten Diachun of the Siena Heights University chapter; colleges and universities, Lucas Hidalgo of Siena Heights University; and Dominican Volunteers USA, current volunteers Emili Dubar, Kayla Grodzicki, Katt Maloney, and Holly Sammons. While none of the Dominican nuns were available to speak about their branch of the family, students were referred to their page on the Dominican website.

On June 25, the students learned about various social justice issues present in the world today. The presentations included:

  • teen dating violence by Dominican Volunteer Kayla Grodzicki;
  • the work of the United Nations by Dominican Volunteer Katt Maloney;
  • racism by Sister Marcelline Koch, OP (Springfield), North American Co-Promoter for Peace and Justice;
  • We Have Family in Iraq by Sister Habiba Binham, OP (Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine, Mosul, Iraq); and
  • art therapy and social justice by Dominican Volunteer Emili Dubar.

They took action the next day, spending hours serving the local community ranging from senior citizens and women and children suffering from domestic violence and sexual assault to adults with disabilities. In addition, students helped work on homes for Habitat for Humanity and worked on the Permaculture site of the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, learning to work with rather than against nature in agriculture.

That evening, the students had the opportunity to share their experiences of the past days with their prayer partners, Dominican Sisters of Adrian who had been paired with the students to pray for them. The students and their prayer partners sat together to share conversation, camaraderie, and ice cream.

Students learned the option of preaching through the arts during special sessions on June 27. They had the opportunity to experience:

  • Moving in the Spirit with Sister Nancy Murray, OP (Adrian);
  • Tai Chi Chih with Sister Carlotta LaCour, OP (Houston);
  • liturgical preaching with Sister Sara Fairbanks, OP (Adrian);
  • making rosaries with Sister Jean Patrick Ehrhardt, OP (Springfield);
  • creating madalas with Sister Barb Schwarz, OP (Amityville)
  • weaving plastic bag mats with Associates Chris and Marge Coneset (Adrian);
  • building Morovian stars with Sister Maria Goretti Browne, OP (Adrian);
  • liturgical movement with Sister Luchy Sori, OP (Adrian); and
  • folding origami peace cranes with Sister Aneesah McNamee, OP (Adrian).

The conference closed with a vibrant liturgy that included music, liturgical dance, and encouragement for the students to bring what they had learned to their home schools, families, and local communities.

“What a journey it has been for all of us,” said Sister Patricia Harvat, OP, General Councilor of the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, at the beginning of the closing Mass June 28. She thanked the students and their mentors “a million times over” for their presence at the Motherhouse in Adrian and for the blessings they brought to the Sisters.

“Every year, I am amazed and humbled by all who come to the conference and all who support the conference,” Sister Mary Soher, OP (Adrian), said in her reflection. Sister Mary has directed the conference for the past nine years.

Sister Mary noted the special community that the students formed at this year’s conference. “You reached out to each other and you transformed yourselves into a very special community of young preachers,” she said. “There is a kindness among you for each other that has allowed you to trust each other with God’s call in your hearts.”

The students gave concrete examples of how they plan to share their sense of Dominican call as they came forward, school by school, to present their action plan for the coming year. School action plans ranged from forming a network of Dominican preachers in the Chicago area to teaching fellow students about the Dominican pillars and saints, improving sustainability in their schools, and helping the school to become more involved in service activities.

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About

The Dominican Youth Movement USA (DYMUSA) is a nationwide non-profit organization connecting youth/young adults to the Dominican Order’s tradition of preaching with their own call to preach. In 2015 DYMUSA brought together five different programs engaging young people of high school age through their young adult years – unifying their support and promoting their collective social impact.

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"Welcome to our May DYMUSA newsletter. The season "Welcome to our May DYMUSA newsletter. The season of awakening, refreshing, and new life is finally here! We also celebrate May as the month of Mary, Jesus’ mother, and our mother too!" 

Read our May newsletter here: https://dymusa.org/catch-the-fire-magazine/

#youthministry #vocations #dominicans #orderofpreachers #monthofMary #blessedMother #prayforus
🌟 We have MORE exciting news (did you hear abou 🌟 We have MORE exciting news (did you hear about Sister Katherine joining us yet?) coming to DYM USA. We are now posting national ministry opportunities for job seekers on our website. 

The page will be updated as more opportunities come available. You can access the page by visiting our website and clicking our Ministry Opportunities tab, or by going to: https://dymusa.org/ministry-opportunities/

If you know of more opportunities like these for our young adults, please let us know!

P.S. Don’t forget to spread the word about this!
📢 The Dominican Youth Movement USA announces th 📢 The Dominican Youth Movement USA announces the hiring of a new Executive Director.  Sister Katherine Frazier, OP!

Read more here: https://dymusa.org/announcement/

#ministry #youthministry #preachingtheGospel #dominicans #orderofpreachers #adriandominicans #dominicansisters #leadership #dymusa
Helping our homeless brothers and sisters... Hear Helping our homeless brothers and sisters...

Hear Dale Williams' testimony of his time experiencing homelessness.

Registration required: https://dymusa.org/midnight-runs-with-dale-williams/

#homelessinamerica #homelessness #youthministry #tacklinghomelessness #dominicans #catholicchurch #orderofpreachers #faithandservice #volunteer #midnightruns
Let's talk about... - Racism, inequality, poverty, Let's talk about...
- Racism, inequality, poverty, immigration, climate change, and COVID.
- Accepting differences among us
- How can I make a difference?
- Cultivating collaborations, networking, and connecting locally/regionally/nationally with ministries, organizations and agencies addressing identified issues.
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We'd love to welcome you! Join us by signing up here:
https://dymusa.org/vocational-discernment-program/
*REVISED LINK BELOW* Join us on Thursday night 5/1 *REVISED LINK BELOW* Join us on Thursday night 5/19 @ 7:30 pm EST for a presentation on “Homeless in America” the CONTINUOUS epidemic of our time!

Register here: https://dymusa.org/midnight-runs-with-dale-williams/

#homelessinamerica #homelessness #youthministry #tacklinghomelessness #dominicans #catholicchurch #orderofpreachers #faithandservice #volunteer #midnightruns
Happy Earth Day! Today, consider praying and pon Happy Earth Day! 

Today, consider praying and pondering the "Prayer for the Earth" by His Holiness Pope Francis I, from the 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si.”
This Resurrection Sunday, DYM USA wishes you and y This Resurrection Sunday, DYM USA wishes you and your loved ones a Happy Easter!

Please join us in prayer:

“Christ our life,
You are alive - in the beauty of the earth
in the rhythm of the seasons
in the mystery of time and space
Alleluia”

#EasterBlessings #HappyEaster #Resurrection #Heisrisen #theWaytheTruththeLife #GodRedemeer #Easter #dominicans #youthministry
“. . . Sisters and brothers, all in the human fa “. . . Sisters and brothers, all in the human family created by the God who loves all and wants nothing but peace and happiness for each of us. As Easter approaches, let us sing aloud our “Alleluia’s”, assured in the knowledge that our God is with us, Immanuel, and that all will be well for “He has truly Risen.”

Explore the April 2022 Newsletter: https://dymusa.org/catch-the-fire-magazine/

#dominicanlife #orderofpreachers #catholicchurch #youthministry #lifeteen #youngadultministry #stcatherine #stdominic #Easterprayer #alleluia
Calling all young adults! Register now for the 4t Calling all young adults!

Register now for the 4th session of the Vocational Discernment Program: https://dymusa.org/vocational-discernment-program/

Can't wait to see you there!

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DYM USA is invited to join the discussion: “What DYM USA is invited to join the discussion: “What Makes Sense When Nothing Makes Sense? Faith in Time of War.”

This event is facilitated by Sr. Peggy Warren, OP.

Date: April 7th, 2022 at 7:00 PM EST

Hear world-renowned theologian and Franciscan Sister Ilia Delio challenge us to keep the faith in face of the devastation in Ukraine: “Develop new models of practice and belief that energize life in God….We must come together or we will annihilate ourselves.”

In advance of the event, please read a simple two-page article, “Faith in Time of War:” https://christogenesis.org/faith-in-time-of-war/

To register and receive the Zoom link, please email: belsole1@fordham.edu
Highlighting DYA's National Service Project: DYA S Highlighting DYA's National Service Project: DYA Stamps Out Hunger! Find out which chapters participated and read about it here: 

https://dymusa.org/stampouthunger/

#hungerawareness #nationalserviceproject #orderofpreachers #youthministry #youngadultministry #stcatherineofsiena #stdominic
Join DYA on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 7:30 PM ES Join DYA on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 7:30 PM EST for a conversation with Fr. James Martin, SJ, author of “Building a Bridge.”

Fr. James will be speaking about “How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity.”

If you would like to attend, please register by visiting: https://dymusa.org/frjamesmartin/

#orderofpreachers #youthministry #youngadultministry #catholicchurch #popefrancis #dominicans #stcatherine #stdominic
Want to learn more about the Dominican charism and Want to learn more about the Dominican charism and how it imitates the life of Christ? Join the Vocational Discernment Program for Session 3: Integrating the Dominican charism/spiritual pillars into everyday life.

🙏🏻Prayer is the heart of a spiritual life.

🔎Study helps us come to the understanding that truth is never complete and there is always more to know and understand.

🌏Community is an invitation to stay connected to God, our individual relationships, and the world around us.

🗣️Ministry is about integrating a life of service with a life of faith, preaching through word and action.

If you haven’t signed up for the Vocational Discernment Program yet, click here to register:
https://dymusa.org/vocational-discernment-program/

#vocations #prayforvocations #spirituality #prayer #discernment #catholic #dominicanus #dominicans #stcatherine #stdominic #lifeofchrist #faithlife #ministry #youthministry
"With all that is going on in the world today, let "With all that is going on in the world today, let us hope that the season of spring will awaken not only the plants and trees, but our hearts and minds to be in solidarity with all peoples around the world who need HOPE, especially the people of Ukraine.'"

Find the March newsletter here: https://dymusa.org/catch-the-fire-magazine/

#orderofpreachers #dominicanorder #catholicinsta #faith #catholicyouth #youthministry #youngadultministry #spring #popefrancis
A Night to Remember… Read about or watch our I A Night to Remember… 

Read about or watch our Inaugural DYM USA Gala here: https://dymusa.org/2022-gala/

We are so thankful for all of our donors who made this possible, and a huge congratulations to Sr. Mary Soher, OP on receiving the Sr. Pat Brady Award!

#dominicanus #gala #youthministry #youngadultministry #dominican #stcatherine #stdominic #catholicyouth
See you tonight for the inaugural DYM USA Gala! See you tonight for the inaugural DYM USA Gala! 

Make sure to join us at 7:30 PM Eastern. 

The link has been sent to your email - search for "DYM USA Gala Link" or "Eventbrite" and reach out if you are having trouble. 

Thank you to EVERYONE for making this possible tonight!

P.S. Can't make it tonight? You're still able to win a prize so make sure to check our website and emails to see if YOU were a lucky prize winner tonight!
Who will be our lucky prize winners? https://dymu Who will be our lucky prize winners?

https://dymusa.org/dym-gala/

#dominicanlife #spirituality #inauguralgala #dominicanus #orderofpreachers #dominicans #stcatherine
We’d love for you to join us at the virtual DYM We’d love for you to join us at the virtual DYM USA Gala this Friday, March 11, 2022 at 7:30 PM Eastern to help us honor Sister Mary Soher. 

During Catholic Sisters Week, this award holds even more meaning as a way to spotlight women religious who are dedicated to sharing their spirituality, charisms, and community.

We hope to see you there!

Visit https://dymusa.org/dym-gala/ for more information and tickets. 

#catholicsistersweek #catholicsoffacebook #catholicsofinstagram #sisters #preaching #domicanus #dominicans #orderofpreachers #ministry
We're 1 week away! Join us next week by visiting: We're 1 week away! Join us next week by visiting: https://dymusa.org/dym-gala/

#dominicanlife #spirituality #inauguralgala #dominicanus #orderofpreachers #dominicans #stcatherine
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