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Rebuilding homes, and building friendships, in New Orleans

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During the week of January 9–14, four young people, who are members of the newly formed Dominican Young Adults Chapter in Puerto Rico, traveled to New Orleans to participate in a rebuilding project. The build is sponsored by the St. Bernard Project which is still very involved in rebuilding the homes of New Orleans residents who were displaced due to Katrina.

After arriving at the airport, we quickly rented a car and were on our way to the motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, where we would stay for the week.

The sisters were wonderfully welcoming, and the young people felt at home very quickly. After getting ourselves situated, we were ready for a good night’s sleep and prepared for our work in the morning. After going to our 7 a.m. orientation at the St. Bernard Project’s main office, we were off to our work site. Unfortunately, this site was almost completed and really didn’t need our help, so the next day we began “real” work at a new site.

The students had the opportunity to engage in all types of work at the new site. They cleaned, mudded, sanded, primed, and also got a chance to use the drills and such! There was much to do! The group we worked with was from the New Jersey area (talk about a small world). The young people all hit it off right away and the work, though exhausting at times, was done in a wonderful spirit of laughter and fun.

On one of the days, we had the opportunity to meet the woman who owned the home we were working on. With tears in her eyes, she spoke of her gratitude to these young volunteers. She told them she would pray for them and ask God to bless them for their hard work and for helping to make her dream of finally “coming home” a reality.

During their time in New Orleans the young people also had the opportunity to visit the French Quarter, see the area where Brad Pitt’s foundation is building new homes, and drive around the Ninth Ward, where much of the devastation of Katrina is still very visible.

Soon it was time to say goodbye. With continued assurances that they will always keep the sisters in their prayers and thoughts, the young people said farewell to their new friends.

Sister Gina Fleming, OP, is director of Dominican Young Adults USA and the Dominican College Preaching Conference.

Reflections from the Dominican Young Adults
on their experience in New Orleans

“This experience has helped me realize that the best gift we can give anyone is a mere hand, and with that hand be able to bring a smile full of happiness upon their faces. Just by offering assistance in any way possible, as we Dominican preachers say, “preach through our actions.” Offering ourselves to participate in a project that helps bring hope to the people that were vastly hit by Hurricane Katrina, made me open my eyes and see that, yes it was AMAZING volunteering outside of Puerto Rico, but we have yet to lend our neighbors a helping hand. So, from this experience I shall take back the will and determination that these volunteers gave in contributing to a project that changes the victims lives as well as their own.”
—Ashley Irizarry, DYA member and Dominican High School Preaching Conference participant

“It’s safe to say this experience most definitely changed me and my perspective. I am currently sitting in front of my laptop thinking, I can do more, not only in New Orleans but in Puerto Rico as well. I can help make a difference. I can… I want to help others regain their homes, their safety, their love, and their hope. I want to remind them that there are still good people and good things in this world. I want to remind them that love can surpass anything, I want to remind them that faith is mighty. I want to tell them that people care, that, somebody remembers them and will try and help them. I plan on making a presentation and showing it to my school. They have to know what’s going on. They not only have to listen and see the devastation, but acknowledge it. I want to shout at them “this is real and it is happening right now, and we all have the power to do something about it, anything.”

— Stephanie Stoddard, DYA member and Dominican High School Preaching Conference participant

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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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🌟 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/

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Alleluia”

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“. . . 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.”

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Calling all young adults! Register now for the 4t Calling all young adults!

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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/

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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/

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"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.'"

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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!

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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/

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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. 

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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/

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