by Dominican Associate of Sinsinawa Elly Pick

 

In May, Dominican Associates of Racine and Sinsinawa held a retreat at Windhover House at Racine, WI. Three Associates of Sinsinawa attended—Elly Pick, Karen Anderson, and Mary Goonan. There were about 15 Racine Associates. By the end of the retreat, we were all simply "Dominican Associates." Our theme that was conceived by a planning committee of two Sinsinawa Associates and two Racine Associates was "We are each other's Light." We felt that we were in The Upper Room with Jesus, knew our spark, and were ready to share the Good News.

Work for Justice and Peace Continues 

 

by Evie Storto, OP

 

It has been almost two months since I returned from an 11-day pilgrimage to El Salvador and Honduras, sponsored by the SHARE foundation and Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). Much has happened since then, but the memories of my days there remain, especially memories of the goodness and courage of so many people who continue to work for justice and peace against tremendous odds. I was blessed to meet so many people and hear many stories from which I continue to be inspired.

Central to our pilgrimage were visits to the sites where the four US churchwomen—Maryknoll Sisters Ita Ford, Maura Clarke, and Dorothy Kazel and lay missioner Jean Donovan—in addition to Monseñor Oscar Romero, six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and her daughter were among the many assassinated in 1980 during the civil war in El Salvador. The courage and conviction of these martyrs lives on today in the students of Catholic University of Central America (UCA), the women of COFAMIPRO who are dedicating themselves to finding loved ones who have migrated and “disappeared,” and human rights activists and their families. 

The choice to “speak out” and “tell the truth” continues to come at great cost in El Salvador and Honduras. We heard from one speaker whose daughter was arrested and detained for close to two years without any charges waged against her. This seems to be a common occurrence as we heard from the family of Ruth Eleanora Lopez, a prominent human rights lawyer who was overseeing more than 200 cases exposing government corruption. In May 2025, Ruth Lopez was taken into police custody and remains in prison. Charges against her have been changed though evidence for the charges is lacking. She has been denied due process and her family fear for her fate. Amnesty International has named her a Prisoner of Conscience and her family and colleagues continue to advocate for her release. Two days following Ruth Lopez’s arrest, the Salvadoran government enacted the Foreign Agents Law which requires individuals or organizations that receive funds from outside of El Salvador to register this foreign support with the Salvadoran government. In addition, the law requires a 30 percent tax on all donations received from outside the country. Human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have criticized the Foreign Agents Law as a means of controlling nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the media. The law is viewed as a tool of repression. The fact that this law was enacted two days following Ruth Lopez’s arrest is perceived as reflecting a general government strategy to limit opposition and resulted in the closure of the Salvadoran Journalists Association (APES), several human rights organizations, and the work of Cristosal for whom Ruth Lopez worked to relocate to Guatemala and Honduras.

While my time in Honduras was brief, our trip to Paso a Paso, a school located in the midst of various gang territories in one of the most dangerous areas of Honduras, remains vivid. Somehow, this school has won the respect of the various area communities and is recognized as a “neutral zone.” The children come from these rival areas and are offered an education meant to support their full potential. Music, art, meditation, and nutritious meals are provided by dedicated teachers in a loving, safe space. Many of the children’s mothers are parenting alone. These moms add their love and care to the school environment as well. The wisdom and skills of the mothers is supported and further developed in community as they gather for workshops on topics such as health, self-care, nutrition, and budgeting.

 

The founder of Paso a Paso, Silvia Heredia Martinez, is a lay missioner from Madrid, Spain. She is a “spitfire” and joy to meet. Her love for the children and belief in the power of community imbues Paso a Paso. She states her work is inspired by Monseñor Romero, whose picture appears in every room. This school/community center is modeled on the educational principles of Paolo Freire, the Brazilian educator and philosopher who viewed education as a tool for social transformation. At Paso a Paso, that transformation is happening daily with intention, commitment, and a vision that supports the dignity, health, and well-being of all its members. 

For all events at the Siena Retreat Center, you may register by going to the website www.sienaretreatcenter.org, calling the registar at 262-898-2582 with a credit card number, or by mailing a check made out to “Siena Retreat Center.” The address is 5637 Erie St., Racine, WI 53402. Payment must be received to complete registration.

Silent Directed Retreat
Sunday, July 12 – Saturday, July 18
Cost: $890 (includes accommodations, meals, and spiritual guidance appointments)
Facilitators: Kathie Tilot; Lorrita Verhey, SSND; Nancy Sell, OSF; Nancy Raboin, PHJC; Ruth Hoenick

This contemplative retreat offers participants the opportunity to meet daily one-on-one with a spiritual guide and share Eucharistic Liturgy and Evening Prayer with the retreat group. Solitude, nature, and silence enhance these sacred days. Participants are invited to journal, read, walk the beautiful Siena grounds and labyrinth, create with art supplies, and be refreshed and renewed.
https://www.sienaretreatcenter.org/retreats/silent-directed/

Contemplative Retreat for Women
Sunday, July 19 – Saturday, July 25
Cost: $890 (includes accommodations, meals, and spiritual guidance appointments)
Facilitators: Barb Cathey, Deborah DeManno, Jomarie Zielke, CSA, Patti Essig, Susan Seeby
This silent retreat for women will call together wisdom from many of the world’s spiritual resources to renew, enrich, and inspire us to be an awakened people in a world that needs our love and action. You are invited to a week of inner discovery and replenishment through morning reflection, evening rituals, one-on-one spiritual guidance, embodied prayer, gentle yoga, centering prayer, and abundant time for silent reflection and exploration of Siena’s beauty and resources. https://www.sienaretreatcenter.org/retreats/contemplative-retreat/

Join us and deepen your relationship with God, self, and others.

Learn more about us here.

 

Are you ready this summer for a week of quiet time to explore the spiritual questions of your heart? Weber Retreat and Conference Center offers a directed retreat that just might meet your needs. You will have the time and space to walk our labyrinth and outdoor garden, pray and reflect, attend campus liturgies, and meet daily with a spiritual director of your choice. The Private Directed Retreat is offered from 2:00 PM Monday, July 6, 2026, through 1:00 PM Friday, July 10, 2026. Learn more.

The Spiritual Dimensions of the Human-Animal Bond
In-Person • Saturday, June 13 • 9:00 AM–Noon
Have you ever felt that your relationship with an animal was… something more? More than companionship—something sacred, even transformative? In this two-hour workshop, we’ll explore the deeper meaning of our connections with animals—how they invite us into presence, teach us about unconditional love, and walk with us through joy, healing, and even grief. Through reflection, storytelling, and creative art practices, you’ll have space to honor the animals who have shaped your life and deepen your sense of connection to all living beings. Whether you share your heart and home with an animal companion or are simply curious about the spiritual side of these relationships, you are welcome. Come and rediscover the wisdom, love, and sacred connection animals bring into our lives.
Details & Registration: https://www.grdominicans.org/program-retreat/human-animal-spiritual-bond/

Ecospirituality: The Heart of the Matter
In-Person • Saturday, June 27 • 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Come deepen your understanding of ecospirituality and cultivate transformation within you, the ecosystem of your life, and the greater biosphere of life together. To respond to the needs of our desperate world, we must look within our own hearts. We must embrace once again the truths we as humans and as people of faith and goodwill have long known: We are all one. Acknowledging this calls us to a transformation of heart, a transformation of consciousness that compels us to committed action on behalf of the Earth community. In this gathering we will learn from Sharon Zayac, OP and each other through presentations, small groups and large group reflection and interaction in order to deepen the conversion of our hearts toward transformative action within our neighborhood–our eco-system–of people, land, plant, animal, and spirit. Details & Registration: https://www.grdominicans.org/program-retreat/ecospirituality-zayac/