Being Preachers of Hope in 2025
A Message from DSC Executive Director, Xiomara Méndez Hernández, OP

Feliz Navidad—Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with hope!

"May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." – Romans 15:13

As we journey through Advent, this sacred season invites us to prepare our hearts to celebrate the nativity of Jesus the Christ—a child born in a humble manger, in the Palestinian landscape and the Jewish faith tradition.

As 2024 draws to a close, we pause in gratitude to reflect on the graces and challenges we have experienced collectively. This year has brought abundant opportunities to grow as a community, including fruitful engagement with emerging movements among the Dominican Sisters Conference congregations.One of them, the Futuring movement among our sisters under 65 continues to inspire hope and renewal.

We now stand at a crossroads, seeking signs of hope in the wake of a divisive election, drawing wisdom from the promising fruits of the Synod in our Church, and responding to Pope Francis' invitation to step into 2025 as "Pilgrims of Hope."

Sr. Ellen Coates Takes Final Vows as Consecrated Woman Religious
The Dominican Sisters of Peace and our Church were blessed by the Perpetual Profession of Vows of Sr. Ellen Coates, OP, on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at the Columbus Motherhouse Chapel.

The ceremony was attended by Sisters from around the country and Sr. Ellen’s family and friends. The ceremony was also live streamed to reach the Congregation’s 300+ Sisters and 300+ Associates around the world.

During an expression of gratitude and happiness, Sr. Ellen said, “A vocation isn’t a true one if there isn’t joy— and I can tell you this is definitely my vocation… what a gift you all have been in my life and I am proud to be a full member of the Dominican family and the Dominican Sisters of Peace and Associates. You have welcomed me, shared your wisdom with me…. and have given me a peaceful, forever home.” 

Reflection by Intern for the Dominican Leadership Conference Autumn 2024

As my internship at The DOMINICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Comes to an end, I’m incredibly proud to share my most recent accomplishment, which highlights the power of cross-cultural collaboration and advocacy. About a week ago, I had the privilege of leading a dynamic and inspiring discussion on girls' activism with an incredible group of young leaders from across the U.S. (New York City, New Jersey, Chicago) and around the world (Zimbabwe).

2019 – 2024 have been impactful years for me as the UN NGO Representative for the Dominican Leadership Conference. I’m in awe that my ministry of Justice and Peace has brought me to the United Nations in New York City.

It has been a time of deep learning and increased collaboration with other NGO’s here in New York as well as interaction with Dominican Sisters across the globe. Through the help of the Dominican Sisters International Confederation Coordinators and the International Dominican Justice Promoters I was able to reach out far into the Dominican World.  They assisted with the Dominican Webinars that we put together over the years as well as helped me to search out speakers.

Ginger Grancagnolo, a Caldwell Dominican associate for over twenty years, is a dynamic lecturer, author and private counselor. Forty-five years of experience in the field of education, psychology and theology has directed her in creating a sound practical approach in helping others towards healing and self-awareness. Even her own personal victory over dyslexia has provided her with a wealth of grassroots knowledge in creating constructive strategies that unlock a human and divine power that awaits within all of us.

Dr. Ginger has lectured throughout the country and has been on numerous radio and TV shows. Dr. Ginger has created many CD workshops and is the author of  Where Are You Lord?; Learning How to Get Through It; How to Find Joy in a Crazy, Upside Down World; Insights, Secrets and Private Prayers; Who Would I Be If I Wasn’t So Afraid?; The Father Principle; The Mother Principle; Poems as Prayers; and  Direct Yourself. The driving force in all of Ginger’s work is to release the fear that blocks and halts our ability to succeed. 

The Dominican Learning Center Celebrates 30 Years of Instructing and Serving. Bishop Fernandes thanks the Dominican Sisters of Peace Ministry for helping others create a better life.

The Dominican Learning Center (DLC), an adult education ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, is in its 30^th year of helping adults learn English as a Second Language (ESL), providing educational help to obtain high school equivalency diplomas (GED), assisting with citizenship procedures, and offering adult basic education classes.

A celebration of the DLC’s 30th Anniversary was held recently at its new location adjacent to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in German Village. Learners, tutors, staff, and supporters including the Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes participated in the dedication ceremony. 

Bishop Fernandes offered his gratitude to the Dominican Sisters of Peace and the Dominican Learning Center for serving adult learners in Columbus. He said that the whole narrative of the Dominican Learning Center is about giving the adult learners hope and the possibility of a brighter future . 

Hollywood International Indie Screenplay Awards awarded Maggie, a screenplay written by independent writer-producer-director and university professor, Armando P. Ibanez, OP, Best First-Time Screenwriter Award (Short Screenplay). 

Hollywood International Indie Screenplay Awards is a screenplay competition that presents the best screenwriters in the world, according to the festival’s posting on FilmFreeway. 

“We are honored and excited,” said Ibanez, adding that Pluma Pictures, Inc. a non-profit film production company, which he serves as president, is producing the film. 

Pondering Advent Through Poetry (In-Person)

Sunday, Dec 8 • 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Advent is a time to reconnect with the ancient longing for God to arrive, move among us, and restore all that’s lost or broken in our world. Let’s ponder what it means to open our hearts to God and to each other during the joyous season of the Incarnation. Come and savor poetry arising from the celebration of Advent, listening to well-known poets – and some you may not know. We’ll hear from Christina Rossetti, Wendell Berry, Mary Oliver, Denise Levertov, T. S. Eliot, Marie Howe, and more. Feel free to bring a favorite Christmas poem you treasure and share it with us during an open reading time. Leave the busyness of the season and join us for a special afternoon! For more information call 616-514-3325 or visit dominicancenter.com. Dominican Center Marywood, a ministry of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids, is located in West Michigan off Fulton Street East, on the campus of Aquinas College. Details & Registration: https://www.grdominicans.org/program-retreat/pondering-advent-through-poetry/

Blue Christmas ~ A Sacred Space for the Burdened (In-Person)

Sunday, Dec 15 • 4:00 – 5:30 pm

The Christmas story reverberates with difficult realities–poverty, grief, danger, oppression, separation, and death–but we often don’t make room to acknowledge these. It is the same in our lives: we need to make room for the painful realities amidst and underlying the joys. We invite you to come and lay your burdens down in the sacred space of the Blue Christmas service where we find Jesus in our suffering and ourselves in Jesus. We will be gathering contemplatively around a liturgy of Scripture and song, in Taizéì style, that gathers our sorrows and lifts them to God. It is our hope that you will experience the welcome of your reality, however painful it is, in the presence of God, who suffered and suffers with us. This is a Christmas service where your depression, grief, anger, and faintheartedness is welcomed. You may discover yourself with Jesus in the thrum of melancholy that surrounds Jesus’ birth. You, too, can come to the manger, poor as you feel. For more information call 616-514-3325 or visit dominicancenter.com. Dominican Center Marywood, a ministry of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids, is located in West Michigan off Fulton Street East, on the campus of Aquinas College.

Details & Registration: https://www.grdominicans.org/program-retreat/blue-christmas/

Advent O Antiphons (In-Person & Online)

Tuesday, Dec 17 – Monday, Dec 23 • 7:00 – 7:45 pm

The Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids invite you for a unique, seven-night Advent experience of prayer and song to quiet your heart and nurture your spirit during this most holy season. Join us in-person or online for one night or all seven! Or mix it up and join us in-person for some, online for others. Whichever way you choose to join us, for however many nights you can, we are eager to share these beautiful and peace-filled moments of Advent with you. There is no cost to participate but registration is required. 

Details & Registration: https://www.grdominicans.org/o-antiphons/