Alliance African Connections Committee

The Dominican Alliance African Connections Committee met in Columbus, Ohio from June 2nd – 4th. On Saturday there was a Presentation on Africa given by Barbara Catalano, OP. It featured her trip to Kenya and Zambia. She shared about the people, the land, and different projects. Judith Hilbing, OP contributed to the discussion on Trafficking by sharing a power-point about human trafficking in the African countries where Dominicans minister. On Sunday attention was given to the future directions of the Committee in connection with the awareness of the trafficking issue.

Dominican Alliance Study Days, 2007

One member from each of the 12 Dominican Alliance congregations, a representative from Leadership, the Executive Director, and the Justice Resource Person of the Alliance joined with a facilitator from Friday, May 5th to Sunday May 7th, to begin the plans for the 2007 Dominican Alliance Study Days and the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Dominican Alliance.

The purpose of the event is to offer an opportunity for study to members from the Alliance congregations, to provide a relational experience of the Alliance for 350-400 participants, and to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Dominican Alliance.

The study aspect will flow from Alliance goals and will focus on the Alliance Committees’ contributions. An inspirational keynote address will be offered. Time for contemplative integration, fun, and relational experiences will be provided.

The event will take place October 26-27, 2007 at a central location. More information and requests for collaboration will follow.

"The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus

Perhaps it would be good these days to reflect on Emma Lazarus' poem "The New Colossus" as we struggle with immigration and migration issues.

The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

WATER: THIRSTING FOR JUSTICE

The Religious Orders Partnership's (ROP) Annual Meeting is entitled Water: Thirsting for Justice. The meting will be held at Holy Family Church and the United Nations Headquarters in New York City from April 27-29, 2006. Eight or nine Alliance Dominicans will be attending.

The keynote session will include Tony Clarke of the Polaris Institute and Sara Ebenreck Leeland, an environmental philosopher. Suzanne Golas will lead the cruise on the Hudson River, where she will provide the history, culture, environmental issuses, and stories about the Hudson.

The third annual ROP Award for Justice will be presented to Wangari Maathai, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and the founder of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, Africa.

This event will provide the ROP members an opportunity to attend to the issue of water in the context of justice, as well as reflect together on their charism, mission, and ministries in service to the global communities.

Commemorating the 25th Year of the Deaths of the Four Church Women in El Salvador

On November 18th in Columbus, Georgia hundreds of people attended the Pax Christi gathering to commemorate the 25th year of the deaths of Maura Clark, MM, Ita Ford,MM, Jean Donovan, and Dorothy Kazel, OSU. There was a panel presentation by Suzanne Moore, MM who spoke on "If Only We Have Peace", Magdala Thompson, RSM, who shared that "Peace is Not Possible Without Justice", and Judith Hilbing, OP who spoke on "The Prophetic Stance of Women Religious". Their words can be found at www.paxchristiusa.org A special award was given to the LCWR for their leadership in the Catholic peace and justice movement on issues including Iraq, environment, and debt reduction.

THE PROPHETIC PRESENCE OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS: COMMEMORATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY AND LEGACY OF THE FOUR U.S. CHURCHWOMEN MARTYRED IN EL SALVADOR

Pax Christi USA will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the violent deaths of four U.S. churchwomen – Jean Donovan, Maura Clarke, MM, Ita Ford, MM, and Dorothy Kazel, OSU during the SOA gathering in Columbus, GA. On Friday, November 18, there will be a program beginning at 7:00 p.m. which will honor how the legacy of these women is being carried out by women religious today. Sue Moore, MM, president of the Maryknoll, Judith Hilbing, OP, Justice Promoter for the Dominican Alliance, and Marie Lucey, OSF from LCWR, will participate in a panel discussion. A special award will be presented to LCWR for their dedication to peace and justice issues, and special guest Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), one of the leading voices in the House of Representatives behind legislation to shut down the School of the Americas (SOA), will share about HR 1217 (suspension of operations at SOA), HR 458 (remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the U.S. churchwomen) and HR 4232 (End the War in Iraq Act)

WHAT: The Prophetic Presence of Women Religious Today: Commemorating the 25th Anniversary and Legacy of the Four U.S. Churchwomen Martyred in El Salvador - A Pax Christi USA gathering during the SOA Watch Vigil

When: Friday, November 18, 2005, at 7:00 PM

Where: The Presidential Ballroom at the Howard Johnson’s Hotel, 1011 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, GA, 31901.

Who: Sr. Sue Moore, President of the Maryknoll Sisters; Sr. Judith Hilbing, Springfield Dominicans; Sr. Marie Lucey, Leadership Conference of Women Religious; Representative Jim McGovern (D- Mass.), House of Representatives; The Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Justice Commission of Dominicans from Columbus

On October 8th, the Justice Commission of the Columbus Dominicans gathered to work on their goals for 2006. Judith Hilbing, OP, Alliance Justice Resource Person, was invited to present and facilitate at this event. By using a power-point and metaphors of biblical Ruth and her journey as woman, Judith presented the Dominican Call to Action issues. “The Fields of Mudan”, a powerful DVD on the issue of trafficking was viewed.

After general discussion, the 16 participants formed three groups to refine and expand the thoughts generated. Each group focused on two related issues. One group handled immigration and human trafficking. Another dealt with healthcare and HIV/ AIDS. The last group crafted goals and objectives for women in the Church and preaching.

These Dominicans deserve approbation for their on-going collaboration and dedication.