From Sr. Pat Twohill, Prioress
March 5, 2025
Dear Sisters,
Below you will find a message from second year novice, Shingai Chigwedere, who has made a very important decision at the conclusion of her discernment for vowed Dominican Life.
Her formation Director, Sr. Pat Dual, her mentor, Sr. Sheila Marie McIntyre, and I fully support her decision and offer her our best wishes and prayers which I know you also will do.
Sr. Pat Twohill
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From Shingai Chigwedere:
Dear Sisters,
I am writing to share with you a decision I have made after much prayer, questioning, consultation, and contemplation. Having lived the life with you for three years I have discerned that I am not called to community life as a religious sister. Therefore, I will leave the congregation and continue to seek God’s will for my life in other ways.
As I say goodbye, I am filled with gratitude to God for allowing me to have shared your life and appreciate the many growth-filled experiences I had during my time with you. I also feel privileged to have met and learned from such amazing women. Thank you again for your hospitality, encouragement, love, and support.
I will move to California to be closer to my family. I will keep you in my prayers. The world needs your voices, actions, and most of all your compassion. Please hold me in prayer also as I begin the transition process.
In Christ's service,
Shingai
Shingai (pronounced Shin-guy)
scr82003@yahoo.com
Peace & Justice Update
Daily Reflections for the Sacred Season
2025 marks the Tenth Anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home.
As we enter Lent, we are invited into a season of renewal — to reflect, seek forgiveness, and share with those in need. This spirit of care and compassion connects us with creation, with one another, and with people of faith around the world.
The Laudato Si’ Action Committee has prepared a special collection of Lenten reflections to guide your journey.
Explore the reflections on oppeace.org here.
Please also see this calendar created with suggested scripture readings.
Faith in Action: Inspired by Sr. Dot Stang and Catholic Sisters
On Thursday, March 13, the Ohio Sisters Justice Network’s (OSJN) will honor Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, and Catholic Sisters, as this event occurs during Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14.)
Faith in Action: Inspired by Sr. Dot Stang and Catholic Sisters, will be shown at 2 pm ET and 7 pm ET on March 13. We ask attendees to register so we can send follow-up material. The 75-minute program will include a 30-minute film on Dayton, OH-native Dorothy Stang’s life. A discussion will follow.
The registration links are below. Links to view the program will be sent via email - if you don’t receive the link, check your Junk or Spam folder.
Zoom Links:
2 pm ET: When: Mar 13, 2025 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/p60eHDhnS6CiJC2syOBvqw
7 pm ET: When: Mar 13, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SgEcGb-USG2hj27NTyg-8w
Congregational News
Columbus Celebrates Mardi Gras
A joyous time was had by all who attended our annual Columbus Motherhouse Mardi Gras Celebration this week!
The food, prepared by our illustrious kitchen staff, was authentic New Orleans cuisine of gumbo, red beans and rice, king cake and a variety of other delicious treats.
The evening culminated with our March birthday sisters being dubbed “Queens of the Mardi Gras” and an amazing parade complete with decorated floats and a second line!
A big thank you to Activity Director Gaye Reissland for organizing yet another memorable event. Please enjoy photos of the day by clicking here.
Mission Groups Meet this Spring
The planning committee, Sisters Barbara Harrington, JoAnn Hohenbrink, Rene Weeks and Carol Davis are excited about the unfolding plans for our Spring Mission Group meetings.
Both Sisters and Associates are invited to be part of the morning session of the meeting.
Please choose to attend one of the two options for these Zoom meetings, Sisters full day, Associates half day:
Dates: Saturday, March 22nd or Monday March 24th
Time: 10 AM – 3:30PM Eastern time
Please click here to register for the Spring Mission Group meeting. Sisters will register for the whole day. Associates will register for the morning which begins promptly at 10 am and concludes at noon Eastern time. When the invitation comes out it will be important to choose your date and register so that our Communications team can be prepared for the technology needed.
We will be sending numerous reminders with the Zoom link between now and the meetings on March 22 and 24.
Both days have identical programs and will include break-out groups, therefore, it is best if you have one person or no more than two people at an individual computer. We know from experience it is easier to see and talk with just one or two people at a time on a screen.
Looking forward to this time together. We especially need each other during these challenging times moving forward as Dominican Sisters and Associates of Peace.
"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Dominican Family News
Virtual Lenten Prayer
We are invited to join the Dominican Sisters of Springfield for Lenten prayer that begins March 5 and continues each Wednesday until April 9. Please go here for the details.
Prayer Requests
- Sr. Margie Davis (Columbus, OH, Margie.Davis@oppeace.org) asks for prayer for Sr. Gemma Doll's mother, Catherine Doll, who died this morning very peacefully in her sleep and for Sr. Gemma (Gemma.Doll@oppeace.org) and all of her family, community, and many friends.
- Sr. Maureen Flanagan (Columbus, OH, Maureen.flanagan@oppeace.org) requests prayer for her sister Joyce Lloyd, who was moved to intensive care while a patient in Lowell, MA.
- Sr. Miriam Hazy (Columbus, OH, miriam.hazy@oppeace.org) requests prayers for her sister Ethel Rainey who was taken to the hospital this morning.
- Sr. Renee Dreiling (Great Bend, KS, Renee.Dreiling@heartlandspirituality.org) requests prayer for Associate Mary Kay McNeive (Kansas City, MO, marykmcneive@gmail.com) who will have a pacemaker put in March 6.
- Sr. Susan Leslie (Columbus, OH, Susan.Leslie@oppeace.org) asks for prayer for Associate Pam Dintrone (Niskayuna, NY, pdint877@gmail.com) and her husband Bob. Both have had ongoing respiratory health issues, and now Bob has been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer that has spread to his liver. They are hoping for a miracle.
- Associate Janet Pohlmeier (St. Catharine, KY, pohlmeierjanet@gmail.com) requests continuing prayer for her sister Mary, who has just been admitted to Hospice Care in Austin, Texas. Mary had brain tumor surgery last October and Janet is expressing her faithfulness in continuing prayer.