User:Springfield OP/Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois

Description

Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois is a congregation of vowed Catholic women. They are members of the Order of Preachers. Members of the congregation live in the United States and Peru.

Location

The motherhouse (headquarters) of the Springfield Dominicans is Sacred Heart Convent (located at 1237 W Monroe in Springfield, IL) was established in 1893.

Related community convents are located in: Northern, Southern and Central Illinois;  Michigan;   Mississippi; Missouri;  South Dakota;   Washington, DC;   Lima and LaOroya, Peru.

Sponsored Institutions

The congregation's primary areas of ministry are (and have historically been) Catholic education and healthcare. The Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois corporately sponsor four institutions: Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois; Rosary High School in Aurora, Illinois; Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield, Illinois and St. Dominic Health Services in Jackson, Mississippi.

History

The foundresses were originally members of the Convent of St. Catherine of Siena in Siena Vale, Kentucky (the first congregation of Dominican women in the United States). In 1873, six Sisters were sent to Jacksonville, Illinois for the purpose of teaching a large population of immigrant children there. The Sisters believed this was a temporary assignment, yet less than a year later, the Sisters received direction from their superior to establish a completely new congregation, separate from the Kentucky Dominicans.

Partners

The Dominicans partner with the Dominican Associates and Springfield Dominican Anti-Racism Team. The Springfield Dominican Associate Program was formed in 1990 as a means for laypeople to participate in the congregation’s ministry. "Dominican Associates are men and women who embrace the Dominican traditions of prayer, study, common life and service. They are called to share the Gospel with others and “preach with their lives.”

The Springfield Dominican Anti-Racism Team developed out of the sisters’ commitment to becoming an anti-racist congregation. The team was formed in June of 2004, and consists of laypeople and Sisters who are "called to identify and understand systemic racism as it occurs in our institutions and to practice and promote anti-racism. Team members have received in-depth training and guidance and devote themselves to teambuilding, analysis, strategic development and growth."

Mission Statement

In 2011, the Dominican Sisters adopted the mission statement: "Called by God into right relationship with all creation and graced by Dominican life and mission, we compassionately preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Core values

The Dominican sisters identify seven core values which describe the culture of their congregation: "Collaboration, Contemplative Worldview, Inclusivity, Interdependence, Justice, Life-long Learning and Dialogue."

Corporate Stances

Corporate Stances are public stances approved at the congregational level after all members of the congregation have had an opportunity to investigate an issue. The opportunity to adopt a congregational corporate stance arises during the annual General Assembly. Corporate Stances adopted by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois include:

Nuclear Disarmament (adopted June 2011) The Dominican Sisters of Springfield call upon the United States government to lead the way for the global abolition of nuclear and all weapons of mass destruction by adopting a plan to lock down, reduce and eliminate such weapons.

Moratorium on the Planting of Genetically Modified Organisms(adopted June 2004) The sisters support a moratorium on the planting of genetically engineered crops pending environmental and human safety studies. Until such time as this technology is proven safe, all foods containing genetically engineered ingredients should be labeled.

Opposition to the War Against Iraq(adopted March 2003) The Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, as sisters to Dominican women and men in Iraq and as members of the human family, regret that the US government has decided to renew a war against the people of Iraq. They oppose this decision and pledge to redouble their personal efforts toward peace.

Opposition to Economic Sanctions Against Iraq(adopted June 2000) The Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois stand in solidarity with the people in Iraq. They urge the government to end the bombing and the sanctions; they encourage the government to replace these actions with creative diplomatic solutions.

Abolition of the Death Penalty(adopted June 1999) The Springfield Dominicans seek the abolition of the death penalty. Addendum: On March 9, 2011 Illinois became the 16th state to abolish the death penalty.

Closing the School of the Americas(now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation or WHISC) (adopted August 1996) The Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois are calling for the closing of the U.S. School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Housing Justice (adopted November 1994) The Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, support a just, peaceful and amicable implementation of scattered-site housing in Springfield.

Committees

The Dominicans have developed several committees to support and enhance their ministries:

The purpose of the Preaching Committee is to deepen each sister’s sense of membership in the Order of Preachers. This includes on-going exploration of the varieties of ways to preach, as well as assisting sisters who are called to formal preaching.

The On-Going Formation Committee seeks to provide services and opportunities for sisters to continually renew themselves.

The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee (JPIC) was formed to raise individual and community awareness of situations which adversely affect the quality of life for the entire community of creation, disproportionately hurt persons who are poor, and destroy chances for peace.

The Stewardship Committee makes recommendations, based on serious and careful study, to the Prioress General and her Council for the awarding of grants from the Poverty, Justice, and Peace Fund. The grants are given to assist the disadvantaged or marginalized throughout the world through projects that demonstrate potential for social change and a more just society.

The Associate Committee serves as an advisory group to the Dominican Associate Director. The committee consists of Sisters and Associates. Together, the Dominican Associate Director and Associate committee facilitate a program of formation and on-going support for the men and women who are called to embody the charism of the Springfield Dominicans as they participate in the mission of the Church.

The purpose of the Vocation Committee is to journey with women considering religious life, to encourage a culture of discernment of vocations, and to help sisters find their role in promoting vocations.

The Just WORDS Editorial Board coordinates the publication of Just WORDS, a quarterly publication sharing the life, mission, and ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois.