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Dominican Young Adults USA: ‘It’s All About Collaboration and the Language of Love!’

Dominican Young Adults USA

For the past 4 years, employees and students from Dominican College in Blauvelt, New York and Molloy College in Rockville Centre, New York have travelled to El Salvador to assist Dominican Sister of Amityville, Flor de Maria Buruca, in running a faith based camp for the children in the small village of Sol Naciente. This year, January 2nd thru January 11th, 9 students and 4 employees once again had the privilege of participating in this life changing experience! Elizabeth Meittinis, a student from Molloy College and a member of Dominican Young Adult Molloy Chapter and the current Coordinator for Mission for DYA-USA was one of the students on the trip. Forty five children, ages 3 to 12, attended this camp. Some teenagers and adults from the community also participated as camp counselors and were a big help to all of us from the United States!!

This faith based camp is deeply rooted in Dominican Life and Spirituality. The theme for the camp was Catherine of Siena’s famous quote, “Be who you are meant to be and you will set the world on fire!” Each morning the children took time in song and prayer before being greeted by St. Catherine of Siena (played by a student from Molloy College) for the “religion lesson” for the day. Each day focused on a different aspect of Catherine’s life. The children were given homework assignments that corresponded with the focus for the day. This short session always ended with the singing of “This Little Light of Mine” in English and in Spanish and with four short phrases, in English and in Spanish, taught to the students from both colleges by Dominican Sister of Blauvelt, Barbara McEneany.

The phrases “Raise the praise, Minimize the criticize, Increase the peace, and Silence the violence,” as well as the song, will be remembered by the children and the students as well!

After the opening session, the children were then divided into 3 groups and alternated going to music, arts and crafts and sports. Each group had a student that was fluent in Spanish to act as a translator for the other students. After lunch, all of the children participated in a Community Service Project. This year the children helped to beautify the garden outside the chapel where the camp took place. They gathered materials from around the neighborhood like plastic bottles and rocks and used these to create fences and enclosures for the plants. What an example for those of us from the United States who tend to waste materials that can be used for other purposes!

The camp ended with a beautiful closing mass in which 4 children were baptized and 4 children received First Communion. The chapel was decorated so beautifully by members of the Sol Naciente community. At the end of the mass, the children who attended the camp all received certificates and the students and mentors from the colleges received a Dominican Cross and a beautiful plate with St. Catherine painted on it. The tears flowed from all as we said good-bye to the children and the beautiful people of Sol Naciente!!!!

Besides the camp, each day we journeyed to different places in El Salvador and visited the people. The highlight for all of us was the celebration of “Los Reyes,” the Three Kings! The children from the small town of La Union led a procession through the streets to a house where mass was celebrated and then bags of food

were distributed to the people. The students helped in preparing these food bags the night before and in the distribution. We also had a great time celebrating with the people dancing, singing and watching the children enjoy a piñata! We also visited some of the historic places in El Salvador. Visiting where Blessed Oscar Romero lived and was murdered, the Jesuit University where the Jesuits and their cook and the cook’s daughter were murdered, the wall in San Salvador that lists the names of all that were murdered, and where the MaryKnoll sisters are buried, deeply touched our hearts and souls and made us acutely aware of the terrible injustice this country faced and continues to face in so many ways! In San Salvador, we felt right at home in the church of El Rosario in San Salvador which is a parish run by Dominican Friars.

The time went by very quickly and I know we all left El Salvador with a greater appreciation of the culture and the people! Our fears of not speaking the language quickly disappeared as we realized that the language of love breaks through all fears and obstacles!

For Elizabeth Meittinis, our Dominican Young Adult member, this trip and being with Flor certainly deepened her commitment to our Dominican Life and Charism. I truly believe this experience of collaboration deepened everyone’s understanding of Dominican Life and Spirituality. It was a time of living out the 4 pillars of Dominican Life in a very tangible way.

Tags: Dominican Young Adults USA DYAUSA DYMUSA Four Pillars in Action Service
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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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Recent News

  • DYM USA Announces New Executive Director, Sr. Katherine Frazier, OP
  • Young Adult Spotlight: Nicolette Agresta
  • Midnight Runs with Dale Williams

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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.
- Advocating in your communities and for causes you care about.
- Volunteering and/or new paths of employment.

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!

#vocations #discernment #dominicans #stcatherine #stdominic #orderofpreachers #preaching #gospel #catholic #youthministry #lifeteen
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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