Last weekend, the Dominican family celebrated three joyful moments of commitment and faith as Sister Elizabeth Guerrero and Sister Jamie Caporizo, OP, of the Dominican Sisters of Adrian took significant steps in their religious journeys, and Sister Tram Bui, OP, of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, made her Final Profession.

 

On Friday, August 7, Sister Elizabeth Guerrero entered the novitiate with the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, beginning a new chapter of formation and discernment in religious life. As a novice, Sister Elizabeth continues to deepen her relationship with God and grow in the Dominican charism through prayer, study, community, and mission. Her entrance into the novitiate marks an important step as she continues to discern and embrace her call to Dominican life.

 

The following day, Sister Jamie Caporizo, OP, celebrated her First Profession of Vows with the Dominican Sisters of Adrian. Through her first profession, Sister Jamie made a public commitment to the Dominican way of life, offering herself to God through the vows and embracing the call to serve God's people through prayer, community, study, and mission. This milestone marks another important step in her ongoing journey of discipleship and vocation.

 

Also celebrating a profound milestone is Sister Tram Bui, OP, of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, who made her Final Profession. Through this lifelong commitment, Sister Tram gives herself fully to God and to the Dominican mission. Her Final Profession celebrates the journey that has brought her to this moment and marks her joyful “yes” to a lifetime of prayer, community, preaching, and service.

 

Though Sister Elizabeth, Sister Jamie, and Sister Tram belong to different Dominican congregations, their journeys are united by a shared Dominican charism and a common call to proclaim the Gospel. Each woman responds to God's invitation in her own unique way, bringing her gifts, experiences, and hopes to the mission of the Order.

Their stories remind us that vocation is an ongoing journey of listening, discernment, growth, and faithful response. Each “yes” strengthens the Dominican family and offers a witness to the many ways God's love can take root and flourish in the lives of those who are called.

 

As we celebrate these three women, we give thanks for their courage, generosity, and faithful response to God's call, as well as for the Dominican communities that have accompanied them along the way. May Sister Elizabeth, Sister Jamie, and Sister Tram be strengthened by prayer, sustained by community, enriched through study, and inspired by the mission they share.

 

Please keep Sister Elizabeth, Sister Jamie, and Sister Tram in your prayers as they continue their Dominican journeys. May their faithful “yes” continue to bear fruit and inspire others to listen for God's call in their own lives.

Dominican Sisters of San Rafael Join National Dominican Sisters Association, Strengthening Mission for the Future

by Kate McAndrews, Marketing & Communications at

Dominican Sisters of Peace

The Great Bend EMS/Fire and the Columbus, Ohio Fire Departments on July 7 also aided sisters who needed extra assistance during the transport process. Sisters Celeste Albers, Judith Lindell, Loretta Podlena and Betty Werner safely made their way to their new home at Mohun Care Center, adjacent to the Columbus, Ohio Motherhouse.

“This coming home to Community was the result of so many good people coming together - from the generous grantors at SOAR to the helping hands of the Great Bend, Columbus and Springfield/Washington, Kentucky Fire Departments, to the airline and airport staffs, and fellow sisters who lent their support at the airports and their new homes,” says Sr. Pat Twohill, OP, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

The move of the sisters is necessary since the Dominican Sisters of Peace will close their large residence in Great Bend, Kansas by the end of 2026. After decades of serving the Church in Kansas and neighboring States, and as missionaries in Nigeria, this difficult decision was made earlier this year.

 

The remaining sisters in Great Bend, Kansas will relocate to other Congregational communities before the Motherhouse closes at the end of 2026. 

 

“This is a time to focus on supporting our sisters.  They are concluding their time in Kansas, but we will help them through their transition periods as they begin a new chapter in their lives, serving God and God’s people wherever they live,” Sister Pat concluded.

On the Feast of Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominican Order, the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill celebrated the Transfer of Leadership, beginning a new four-year term for the congregation’s Leadership Team. The feast commemorates Saint Dominic’s enduring legacy of preaching the Gospel, seeking truth, and serving the Church—values that continue to guide Dominican women and men around the world.

 

Sister Irene Ellis, OP, was installed for her second term as Prioress, having been re-
elected by the congregation during the 2026 General Chapter. She is joined on the

Leadership Team by Councilors Sister Nancy Richter, OP; Sister Aileen Donovan, OP;
Sister Diane McSherry, OP; and Sister Marie Peter Buckley, OP.

The Transfer of Leadership symbolizes both continuity and renewal as the congregation
entrusts its mission to those elected to guide the community in the years ahead. Building
on more than 150 years of ministry, the new Leadership Team will continue to lead the
congregation in its commitment to prayer, education, justice, peace, care for creation, and
the compassionate care of its Sisters.

“To be entrusted with a second term as Prioress is both a profound honor and a humbling
responsibility,” Sister Irene said.

The congregation also expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Leadership Team for
its faithful service from 2022–2026: Sister Irene Ellis, OP; Sister Grace Anne Hogan, OP;
Sister Aileen Donovan, OP; Sister Marie Peter Buckley, OP; and Sister Nancy Richter, OP.
Under their leadership, the congregation strengthened its commitment to collaborative
leadership, advanced initiatives in ecological stewardship and justice, deepened
connections across the Dominican family, and continued its mission of preaching through
compassionate service—all while caring for a congregation with a median age of 85.

As the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill begin this new leadership term, they remain “Rooted
in History. Facing Forward in Hope,” the theme of their 2026 General Chapter. With
gratitude for those who have served and hope for the future, the congregation continues to
discern new ways to live its Dominican mission and respond to a world in need of healing,
peace, justice, and compassion.

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