Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

The Dominican Sisters of Springfield have recently affirmed a chapter statement in which they committed to intercultural living and participative Dominican governance. This decision was made during a week of prayerful conversation and contemplative deliberation, as the congregation looks towards the next five years.

"Rooted in our prayer for the life of the world, and in our care for our common home, we are strengthened by our Associates and partners-in-mission to walk together into a future of authentic intercultural living," the statement says.

To achieve their goal, the sisters have pledged to strengthen relationships within the congregation, welcome and support new members to both the congregation and Dominican life, and build intercultural relationships through study, engagement, and interaction.

For two decades now, the hallmarks of this congregation's ministry have been their commitment to antiracism and their response to the "Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor". They have consistently made efforts to live sustainably and encourage others in caring for Earth and its inhabitants.

"These efforts will continue and will be strengthened by this evolution in our thinking," said Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP, who is currently serving as prioress general of the congregation. She further stated that they aim to witness to Jesus' good news in their countries of origin — namely Peru and United States — both burdened with cultural and political divisiveness along with threats to democracy.

The second major theme discussed during their chapter deliberations was regarding the future of Dominican governance within their family. The statement reads: "We take the next steps into our congregational future, grounded in freedom offered in our Constitutions. We are energized by participating in emerging movements of governance within Dominican family."

In order to fulfill their commitment not only to themselves but also to broader Dominican family and People of God, they have committed themselves towards studying necessary aspects required for moving towards a collaborative form of Dominican governance.

Sister Rose Miriam Schulte, OP, vicaress general, said, "Creative conversations about how collaboration can reshape and renew the future of Dominican life have been going on for years. We are now at a point in our journey when it is time to animate our words with actions that move us forward into the future together."

During their week-long general chapter, they synthesized an 18-month-long period of study, prayer, and contemplative dialogue into the 2024 General Chapter Direction Statement.

In the two-day chapter of elections following this, the sisters elected a team of four leaders who will assume leadership on June 15, 2024. They are Sisters Mary Paul McCaughey, OP; Sister Joanne Delehanty, OP; Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP; and Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy, OP.