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Local chapters participate in national gathering online

Dominican Young Adults USA

On a beautiful Saturday morning (June 9), a wonderful thing happened. Local chapters of the Dominican Young Adults (DYA) met in New York at Molloy College, in Puerto Rico at University of P.R. Aguadilla, in Wisconsin at Edgewood College, in Chicago, in Kentucky at St. Catharine’s College and in Indiana. Thanks to technology, over 20 young adults were able to connect in ways they never thought possible. The best part—it didn’t cost any money!

Five years ago, DYA-USA began. A nation of college students who had attended the College Preaching in Action Conference had met in Columbus, OH to plant the seed of a national group of young Dominicans. They met again in 2008 in Madison, WI, and DYA-USA officially formed and launched a web site. In 2009, DYA was officially recognized by the International Dominican Youth Movement (IDYM).

Some DYA-USA members were able to attend the International Gathering in Fatima, Portugal in 2009, and IDYM held its International Gathering in Bogota, Columbia in 2013. Many members and future members have been getting excited about the possibility of representing DYA-USA at the next IDYM venture abroad. The DYA Executive Board felt that it was necessary to find a way to meet nationally, yet allow for young adults to attend without incurring travel expenses.

Kevin Sullivan, the Formations Chair of the DYA Executive Board, had a brilliant idea: “Why not use Google+, Google’s newest foray into the social networking sphere.” Google+ has designed a way for people in different locations to “hangout” in a video chat room (with numerous other features, including chat, Google Docs integration, screen sharing capabilities, the ability to watch a common YouTube video right in the chat room, and more). With much tech preparation by Sean Mundy, the DYA Executive Board Communications Chair, each local chapter or region was able to connect. Michelle Schultz of the Chicago Chapter said, “It was so amazing to connect with other Dominican young adults like myself using the Internet, it was a great way to build community and pray together despite the distance between us!”

The Google+ Hangout allowed the DYA members to do just that. The National (Digital) Gathering began with Andrew Vivian, the DYA Executive Board National Coordinator, sharing the history of DYA and the structure of the national organization. Kevin, who also happens to be on IDYM leadership, gave a brief overview of IDYM and the International Gatherings, which segued nicely into a presentation of materials submitted by Andres Riveira, a Mexican young adult who is also on the IDYM leadership team.

Unfortunately, Sean was unable to present his video of Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, Director of Vocations for the Central Province of Dominican Friars, due to technical difficulties, but the material was shared with the group the next day via the DYA YouTube page. We were then lead in a discussion by Allie Jeffs, the DYA Executive Board Social Justice Chair, about what service the local chapters have done so far, what they are embarking upon in the future, and ideas for other chapters that may be struggling to find service ideas.

After this, the voting for the 2012-2014 board was held via an online form on Google Docs. Applicants sent in a short video introducing themselves and why they want to be on the Executive Board. These were posted on the YouTube page and the DYA-USA blog so the local chapter members could learn about each candidate. The members elected two existing members and two new members onto the new Executive Board: Andrew Vivian of Wisconsin (outgoing DYA National Coordinator), Sean Mundy of NY (currently a Dominican Volunteer at St. Pius V School in Chicago and outgoing DYA Communications Chair), Katy Somerfield of Illinois (will be a Dominican Volunteer at Immaculate Conception Academy in San Francisco), and Lyamar Rodriguez of Puerto Rico. The four elected officials will meet soon to mutually decide which of the four positions to assume: National Coordinator, Communications Chair, Social Justice Chair, and Formation/Membership Chair.

Most importantly, the DYA members then celebrated the everlasting presence of God among them. They joined together for a prayer service, featuring prayers, a reading from the Gospel of Matthew, a reading of Psalm 103, petitions from the board and the national group, and a unique variation of the “Our Father.”

Tina Cruz of the Puerto Rico Guatibirí Chapter said, “Knowing that our group isn’t alone and being able to communicate with people from different places is extraordinary. Even on a national level, each group has its own culture that’s unique to its location, whether the chapters are separated by a 15-minute drive or by a 15-hour flight. Can we do this every month?!”

Overall, the event was a huge success, and we are so excited to venture on to greater things in the future!

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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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