Peace & Justice Updates and Action Steps
Hands Off! Day
April 5 has been set as “Hands Off! A National Day of Action” to protest government cuts to health and human services and censorship in education.
Our Sisters in Columbus are doing their part by making signs for those who plan to march at the Ohio Statehouse. Click here for photos.
Call to Action from NETWORK
This week, the House is expected to vote on the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act, H.R.22).
NETWORK adamantly opposes the SAVE ACT and is urging House members to vote 'no' on this partisan House Republican bill.
Those involved at NETWORK say the bill's title is deceptive as millions of eligible Americans--Indigenous people, newly married women, un-housed persons, and more--would be prevented from voting due to draconian documentation requirements.
NETWORK says the House needs to hear from all people who are against the bill. Please click here to find out how to get involved.
Congregational News
Needed: Your History
The Archives is pleased to announce that we are opening the oral history program to all of our Sisters.
If you are in Columbus, or planning to be here, please reach out to Archivist Michelle Ganz michelle.ganz@oppeace.org and she will connect you with Sister Marilyn Ambrosic who will schedule an in-person interview.
Please also tell Michelle whether you would like to do a Zoom interview for this. We have a set of sample questions that can be used as your oral history guide or you can talk about anything you'd like. Please click here for a look at the sample questions.
This is our first effort to capture the oral histories of our Sisters. In the future, we will work to capture of the stories of those who live in other places, including Great Bend and St. Catharine.
2024 Report
The 2024 Annual Report, "Embracing Mission, A Journey of Faith and Transformation," is now available. Please click here to read.
From Our Founded Ministries
Associates Lenten Gathering in New Orleans
Last Sunday, a group of our Louisiana Associates gathered for an afternoon of Lenten Prayer at the Peace Center.
Sr. Dot Trosclair, OP, was the presenter for the dedicated group who prayed, sang, reflected, and shared their faith journeys with each other. They were challenged to "live Lent as the Church’s Springtime.” Please go here for a few pictures from the day.
Office News
Latest Directory
Please see your April Desktop directory by clicking here.
Prayer Requests
Please see the March prayer requests by going here.
Columbus Diocese Travel Advisory
In December of 2024, the Office of Diocesan Legal Counsel issued a travel advisory to all foreign national clergy and religious assigned to the Diocese of Columbus. Today, the message continues:
As previously mentioned, the new U.S. administration continues to refine policies and make changes, thus there could be some uncertainty involved with international travel. We encourage you to reduce all international travel to only essential trips until we have clearer information on potential policy changes.
If you plan on travelling internationally, we recommend that you have all documentation up to date and accessible for federal authorities to easily verify.
This is not a mandate, but rather an advisory. Any questions should be directed to: Luke Raidel at lraidel@columbuscatholic.org.
Employment Opportunity
Communications Director Opening
The National Religious Vocation Conference is seeking a Communications Director. A primary part of the job will be to serve as editor of its quarterly professional journal, HORIZON as I will be retiring July 31. Please click here for all the details.
Events
City of Columbus Yom HaShoah and Holocaust Remembrance
Columbus City Hall will be the site for reflection and remembrance at 12 pm Friday, April 25.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first Holocaust Ceremony conducted by JewishColumbus, considered to be a significant milestone in remembering and honoring Holocaust victims.
Those attending are asked to arrive at 11:30 am and RSVP to gagray@columbus.gov as soon as possible.
Please see it on the city calendar here.
Prayer Requests
- Sr. Cathy Hilkert (South Bend, IN, mhilkert@nd.edu) requests prayers for Sr. Diane Kennedy, OP, who died on Sunday at the Villa in Sinsinawa. Diane was a friend and mentor for many of our sisters and the larger Dominican Family. She served in leadership in the Sinsinawa congregation and the Dominican Leadership Conference and was instrumental in founding the Parable collaborative Dominican retreat program and the Parable Conference. She also served as the academic dean at Aquinas Institute of Theology for many years. May she rest in peace.
- Associates Fred and Ginger Kroos (Olathe, KS, fredgingerkroos@yahoo.com) request prayer for their son, Michael, who was scheduled to have surgery today (Wednesday) to close a hole in his heart.
- Associate Mary Delaney (Westerville, OH, mdelaney0606@gmail.com) requests continued prayer for Bob. Twelve weeks of chemotherapy and future surgery have been recommended. Mary adds that your prayers and thoughts are appreciated.
- Associate John Neuschel (Green Bay, WI, jjneusc@aol.com) requests prayer for his wife, Joan, who fell and injured her vertebrae, causing much pain. The two are waiting for word on further treatment.