From Room 2:

Vatican Council – shift in how we were called – to modernize; moving away from ministries to a broader outreach, speak to our willingness to leave our comfort zone to go out to do something for people in great need.

Missionaries to China – responded to call
Missionaries to Nigeria – growing and flourishing which, in time, started a new community
Missionaries to Peru – responded to call
Hospitals in trouble financially, the GB sisters entered into the Catholic Health Initiative
Albertus – started a college in tenuous times

Spirit of ecumenism – open ourselves to the possibilities of merging with other congregations in the country and the world in a movement toward one-ness.
Discussing the Dominican Alliance – very good initial step to connect congregations before Peace came to be.
Associate movement – make a difference in ministry in the marketplace; Dominican spirit
Helping the laity assume their place in the church
Social Work; Peace and Justice; etc. – into new aspects of teaching
Recycling – social justice issue

In world crying out for peace and understanding, we are called to address the needs of the time, resting on the shoulders of those that came before us
We are Bearers of Hope
Primary ministry as prayer and presence, PEACE, carries into a outward ministry

From Sister Barb Harrington's Group

Preaching in times like these:

No known times like this in our history that touches all sectors of the land ~ All persons, places which have an orientation different from the takeover of White Christian Nationalism.  The attempt is to make us think all "others" are enemies and we need to protect ourselves no matter what!
Needs of the times are for creative gatherings; listening sessions; inter-relational groups
Focus on the problem, even though we know not the solution.  Do this with others
It doesn't have to be an institutional response; rather a collborative response.
Dominic's time was filled with problems too; he finally chose to focus his love on community with Albigensians.  Lo and behold, 800 years later, we have the statements and policy on human beings acting from the integration of body and soul and cultures, integral ecology, community, study within the "signs of the times" (read: the Holy Spirit), energy of prayer, even if this energy folds into the Unknown etc., is untested and emergent.
The local community focus and response by the community at St. Catharine with signs of peace and presence at the entrance to that motherhouse.
Immigration issues are creating various responses at congregational ministries.
Colaborate with others; collaborate!
Find ways to articulate this is not an over-against stance; rather a position based on ethics, love, community, study and prayer.

From Sisters Cathy Arnold, Sheila McIntyre, Diane Traffas, Rita S.

Learn to treasure the vision that others have. 
When we became a new entity, we became a preaching for others.  Courage in making the decision, hearing the fears, and relying on the strengths. 
People stepping out in faith, sometimes more faith than practical ideas (which still moved us in a good direction).
To find the truth is not easy, we as Dominicans have to struggle to seek the truth.
Different people have different gifts – some have the vision, some know what steps to take to bring the vision to life, etc.

From Room 27:

• Veritas & Courage: speak the Truth
• We stand on the shoulders of courageous women!
• "I am because we are." I have a part in "us/we" so I have power.
• Collaboration and Synodality - We have been DOING this for years!

Protect the vulnerable - our work with immigrants at Martin de Porres Center and our 3 Learning Centers

From Room 18:

Margaret Uche said we are challenged from the beginning of the order. We are called to be witnesses by prayerful presence of the love of God.

Myra said has been it has been very important to come together. All of us decided upon the name of the new congregation peace.

Nancy Garson mentioned that the Ricci sisters participated in a merger discussion in the majority of the sisters after careful dialogue made their best choice to come to enter into the peace congregation Teresita from Oxford mentioned that the congregation after prayerful dialogue voted to join peace not to imitate but to create a new community The group indicated that it’s important for all people to be listened to and encouraged to be respectful in the dialogue they have with each other. It is also important that nobody be ignored, but that all people are listened to.

We agreed that the process of becoming Dominican Sisters of Peace was graced and spirit-filled, coming at the right time. This helps us trust that the Spirit is still with us as we try to remain faithful to the collaboration process as we move into the unknown future.

From Carol Ann Spencer's Group

It is important to mourn our losses and all the changes that we have expeienced so we can move into the future.
As a congregation, we are generous in responding to needs of others.

From Room 17

Two words filled our minds and hearts.

Fear---there is a lot more to afraid of within the current administration, and several recalled early days in the foundations when leaders made decisions that seemed very difficult to make in those times, but something needed to be done for the future of the congregation.

Reassurance----we need to be signs of assurance that God will be with us and continue to bring hope somehow. We need to do our homework!

From the Great Bend Group

The Dominican Sisters of Peace in Kansas have a rich history of being preachers in difficult times. They founded or started projects such as Birthright in Great Bend and Las Casas House in Oklahoma. They founded Heartland Ministries and Heartland Farm.  We believe if we have been a part of activities that have made an impact, we can find ways to make a difference now.  For instance, supporting the mission of Heartland Center that fills a need and provides a peaceful oasis to participants. 
We can support new leaders in our founded ministries who are not sisters and find lay people to carry on the mission especially our associates.
Together we can make statements, petitions, letters about injustice and to our representatives.
There is a need to let go of what we once were able to accomplish and recognize our age and energy level.  Our treatment of each other contributes to the peacefulness of our convent and others who visit can feel this.  They also have a sense of acceptance from us.
This convent is a place for prayer for lay people such as Taizé Prayer and the Rosary.  We need to recognize the value of a deep prayer life and share it when we can.
Being able to pray and eat with the students who attend Kairos Retreats here, enables us to plant a seed of peacemaking in the kids.  

From Tram Bui's Group

Awareness of spiritual hunger.
Concern about disconnect/little connection with the outside world.
Realized that we are constantly living on the edge of change and have learned that in the progress that community is there and willing to open to newness and change. 
Rooted in the relationship with God. 
We journey with our community to the change. 

From Ann Killian's Group

Our group remembered how we’ve preached Care of Creation by putting land into conservancies, collaborating with other Dominican congregations to create the Climate Solutions investment fund, and now participating in the Land Justice Futures cohort. Having our schools join the education PJP, Dominican Veritas Ministry, ensures that they will pass on the Dominican charism. And we preach through our prayer, music and liturgical ministry, promoting social justice, as well as teaching and writing theology. All sisters bring different gifts, and we appreciate the diverse ways of “preaching Jesus,” as St Dominic first wanted to call his movement.
We are grateful to have older sisters and younger sisters together. We honor the elders for letting go of beloved motherhouses and going through experiences of “dying.” We cheer on the younger sisters who are carrying the mission into the future. We honor our past by letting go and moving on. We thank God that our congregation has the capacity to preach and be about the mission in so many ways.

From Paula Danforth's Group

We are looking at questions that were composed back in October and November and January brought many challenges.  
We are preachers in times such as these.  We have no energy to look at Governance Structures in our own congregation and rather should be looking at the severe crisis at hand with our world and the challenges to our democracy and The Constitution of the United States.  If we do not focus on these threats, we may not have a future to plan for. 
We should be writing to Washington, etc.  There are fewer and fewer ministries as there are fewer and fewer sisters able to be out doing manual ministries.   Some feel that we are out of time to start something new.  We are asked to look at Dominican Structures but the need is for ministry and addressing the times such as these by doing what we are able to do.
KY drafted and sent a letter to the Supreme Court reminding them to uphold the Constitution, etc.  The sisters in KY are planning to demonstrate on their own front lawn with signs etc.  These actions are bringing life to the sister's lives.  
Remember we are powerful,  Other people look at what we are doing and say 'If they are doing these things, so can we."    The small things we do matter in many ways.  
God still expects us to use our name and our voice.
Creating more governance structures does not change or fix anything.  We did all that when we became Peace and it took 10 years to combine finances, address legalities, and get to know each other.   Something else has to happen.
We should make our position known.  We are Catholic and do not support the federal government and we stand for truth.  We stand against the corruption
Paula Danforth  Recorder 
Juanita Carrigan
Leann Probst
Barbara Catalano
Dominic Savio
Clair McGowan

Sisters Kathleen Corrigan,  Mary Costello, Barbara DeCrosta, Joan Franks

We all thought that it was part of our history before merger that we responded to the needs of the times.  Everything we did was the result of prayerful reflection on the needs of the Church, the needs of the people.  Education, health care social services, all were “preaching responses.”
Since we have come together, one venture stands out—the establishment of the peace center in New Orleans.  We worked together to bring stability and education to a community devastated by Katrina.
Another example of our response would be the support of our Sisters for the corporate stances we’ve taken over the past 13 years.
We also mentioned the learning centers in Ohio and Connecticut.  While these preexisted our coming together, they continue to be a sign of our readiness to respond to pressing needs.
An issue that needs our attention now is the sustainability of our institutions.  We realize that much has been done, but we need more work on land conservancy and the best use of our properties.
We also noted the current state of our country and what small steps we can take to address the plight of those affected by the actions of the current administration.

Community as a whole.
Hope and trust to move forward.
Thanksgiving.
Courage to step up and wisdom to know how to step up.
Walking together and looking at the edge.
Opportunity to come together: different and new.
Feel hopeful: younger members & newer members will continue.
Difficulty of letting go.
New members = new insight.
Important to learn.
Opened up to a new way of being, ministry, different places and different people. 
Free and healthy intergrade.
Making sure that our new members are educated and meeting together.
"How community was important to me"
What's the best for the common good-spoke from the heart. Not just what I want.

Jeannine Halloran's Group

After some reminiscing about former good experiences we experienced in Community, we looked at now when we are collaborating with other Dominican Congregations in the DSC and we found we were excited and trusting in Hope that our new collaboration will enable us to continue carrying out the Gospel message in years to come.

Virginia Bruen's Group

Question:
How do we relate and collaborate on an organizational level with other Dominican Congregations?

Hopes:
Need to continue to have a strong clear voice.
Need to be vital and responsive to societal issues
Need to keep alive our burning desires.
Recognize diversity of gifts.
Have effective tools
--Eg. use of bill boards
Stand up in support
Look at nature and its natural flow - Natural evolution of change and letting go

Margaret Mary Kennedy's Group

The sisters remembered:
These are the thoughts shared in our conversation            

1.  the early year when the first Kentucky women said Yes and began the first congregation of Dominican Sister in the USA.
2. During the Civil War when the Kentucky Mother House was turned into a hospital
3. 200 Anniversary when we responded to restorative justice.
4. Laudato Si - The  responding to the needs of the Times.
5. Our latest Chapter Commitments.
6. Our sisters responding to the Signs of the Times as we respond to the issues in our country right now.
7. Can we continue to respond to the needs of the Future and what is best for The Dominican Family as we move on?
8. How can we move forward as we look toward the future of the whole Dominican family (Sisters together)
9. We remembered how important the Founded Ministeries  united the Ministeries into the future and how Veritas Ministries is keeping the vision continuing into the future of the schools.
10. Can we stretch our selves into believing that we can move forward by uniting with other OP congregations and keeping  the vision into the Future?

From Group 13

Morning was excellent—inspiring, challenging
We draw hope from memories of prophetic actions and bold initiatives from the past, especially following Vatican II--e.g. ministries in El Salvador and Peru; women’s and lay preaching; growing emphasis over the years on social justice, peace, and care of creation; corporate stands on immigration reform, human trafficking, gun control, climate control, death penalty; creative initiatives such as the Peace Center and Houses of Welcome; the public acknowledgement of and repentance for our complicity in the social sin of racism, including the owning of human persons as slaves (“I was here” project, St. Catharine, Kentucky).
Maria Ressa spoke at a Vatican conference--How do we speak up with challenges within our church, dioceses, and parishes (including, but not limited to LGBTQ+ inclusion, women’s ministries, lay preaching, outreach to poor and vulnerable, cultural diversity, etc.). How to encourage and challenge ourselves and church leaders to speak more boldly on issues rooted in the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching—e.g. immigration, dismantling of DEI commitments? What are the possible repercussions for the congregation?
Even as fewer sisters can be active outside our houses, do we recognize and celebrate the power of prayer, and of inviting others to share our prayer and contemplative spaces and opportunities (e.g. prayer resources available from Niskayuna, Heartland Center for Spirituality, and elsewhere)?  Can we post more resources for hope and spirituality on our website?
Our support of our corporate ministries (where we are often no longer in leadership) is a form of corporate prophetic witness; e.g. support of our ecology centers and farms when funding is being cut from ecological initiatives and climate change is being called into question; our learning centers “welcome all” when advocacy for “diversity, equity and inclusion/DEI) is called into question or a basis for cutting funding; highlighting the opportunities presented by our justice and peace committee and promoter (e.g. make 5 calls; support congressional leaders and church leaders who do speak out and challenge others in congress/church leadership to do the same).

From Lois McGovern's Group

Action by Congregation in the past:
- Community took a public stance during the time gay and lesbian people were not given their civil rights in terms of employment, housing and other discrimination.
- Sisters went to Latin America when the Pope asked that 10% of our congregations choose to serve in this ministry.
- In the 60's, there were many justice and peace issues in which we were activists. Working with refugees became a choice of several sisters.

During the rest of the time, we talked about the urgent issues of this day.

Peggy Martin, Christine, and Joanne Caniglia

We discussed a time when we have been hope in time times such as these. 

1.  In our coming together, we have decided that the future of Dominican life would be so much brigher together and it will enable the mission to continue.
2. We are grateful to the congregation and leadership for providing us with opportunities to serve.  If someone wants to go to the border, etc.  the congregation is very supportive.
3. We have much to be proud of and yet we are all willing to move forward.
4. It is difficult to meet the times such as these because of our president's erratic behavior and if we speak out some of our own beliefs, convictions in our congregation would be in jeopardy (Manuella).
5. We offer to the Dominican Family our experience.

Group 34

We reflected on our founding congregations and the courage and hope of these Sisters.  With this example, our lives continue to be filled with courage and hope.
In today's world,  it is important to be present to others and perhaps offer a place of peace in our houses.
Might we be called to provide Adult Education modeled on RCIA and include Catholic Social Teaching (Many adults have no education in Church teaching beyond college, high school or even grade school.)

Group 10

We talked about how our Mission Statement is how we together as a whole support individual ministries so the individual sister feels supported by the whole congregation. (Examples: death penalty, trafficking, parish education, etc.)
One of the sisters talked about how Vatican II and what it called us to do. It was a call to educating, witnessing to and questioning values. We reflected as individuals and then came to a communal response as a group.
We are diminished in capacity and age but everybody can do something. One sister says we should go out with a bang.
A large part of who we are is our associates. Why are they not part of this. It is probably would be an important part of preparing the laity and moving forward in mission.
How do we take wisdom (70 or older) sisters keep it going.
We haven't received studied Community. Do we know community is and will we be together at the end.

Group 3

Our response to Iraq some time ago

• We took up a collection 
• Prayer
• We receive info from Iraq

Akron community worked with racism and people of other cultures

•   involved law enforcement
• Invited the public to prayer and activities
• Info newspaper

Learning Center

Many individuals represent our community, e.g. Gemma Doll, Judy Morris, Gene Poore, etc.

• Ministry to people from all over the world

We are called to offer hope and peace to minorities – nothing new, we have always been called to that. We can’t do everything but we can do something.  We preach in many different ways: word, actions, the way we treat people.

Suggestions: 

• Invite our Associates to get involved
• Invite political leaders to suggest ways we can help

Rosemary Rule's Group

The main discussion of past decisions to meet the call of the times revolved around the call to missions in foreign countries.  Answering these calls had a shaping influence on the congregation as a whole...a more integrated community that lasts up to today and a sense of world needs in Africa, South America, Asia especially.
We talked about the effects of Vatican II.  Answering the call for new ministries, e.g., the Ministry of Presence, afforded new opportunities and had mutual richness for the sisters in those ministries and those in those places of ministry.  We had a deeper understanding of the Church as the People of God.These decisions prepared us for our present day collaborations, such as Learning Centers, Peace Center in New Orleans And HUD housing in Kansas, We see lots of opportunities to use our facilities and presence to bring the Gospel to local ministries.  Even though many of us have lessened energy levels, we know from experience that we can still read the needs of the times, generate creative ideas and support those who can do the work to bring those ideas to life.

Pat Mood's Group - Group 8

We reflected that over the years we have done lots!  We left ministries as closures /reassignments/ aging came. Several of us have heard from former students / former retreatants.  Many have given us Positive feedback... E.g. "You don't realize what your ministry has meant / done for me."

Bottom line:  we have empowered people.   

We need to learn how to do this in these times.  We are not desiring to be political, nor judging via race / color / religion.  But:  WE CARE FOR PEOPLE.  ALL ARE GOD'S CHILDREN.   

What have we learned about being preachers during (past times) and times such as these?
We have learned…

• that we have been dealing with changes throughout our lives and have survived changes
• that we are not fearful of what is new because we have hope for the future
• that we have the power to preach and spread the truth
• that we have learned how to stay hopeful in difficult times

Agnes Gott, Jeannine Halloran, Pat Twohill

After some reminiscing about former good experiences in community, we came to “now” when we are collaborating with other Dominican Congregations in the DSC and we found we were excited, trusting and hope-filled that our new collaboration will enable us to continue carrying out the Gospel message in years to come.

Joann H., Esther E., Audrey R., and Susan L.

Our learning is ongoing, in response and in light of today. There are no instant answers. We study, in depth, amidst many opinions, “right and wrong ways”. This process is often messy, but we need to listen, attend, attain facts, and trust. Collaboration is a significant part as we move forward in Peace and we recognize our power and show others to recognize and use theirs.
Our prior learning led us to discover and respond to the needs of those who need home health care, our presence as we minister among Native Americans and open schools like that in Oklahoma for the Native Americans. Our minstry is not easy as we stand in the darkness, despair, and hopelessness painted by the media. We are in it together.
In the creation of PEACE, we chose to unite at a time when the world around us was divisive. Two hundred years ago, our sisters came to America, saw needs and planted seeds. In Peru, even when clergy were killed by the Illuminoso, sisters stayed present in the face of violence and death. We who are fairly comfortable recognize our call to stand with them, support them, be present to those who are experiencing persecution such as immigrants, and prepare to encounter violence and untruth in all its forms that may come to face us.
We shine in these dark times because of our prophetic lifestyle. Keep shining.
We are experiencing as a nation that which other nations have experienced for years.
We came together in divisive times, we are peace in these turbulent times. Let us us our preaching platforms to do what we do best, communicate the truth of the Good News.
As our morning speaker said, “Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate!” This and the other three supports are significant foe they will move all forward in peace.

Sharing from Room 31:

+We see the Mission as central in our shared preaching.
+Our Peace ‘Merger” has been a kind of education for all of us & continues to be such.
+The larger picture of OPPEACE calls to us on behalf of the future of Dominican Life.
+As women learning about BEING rather than DOING,  we can be a powerful preaching.
+Some earlier times that influenced our ‘call to preaching’ may be:

1. The Reality of Vatican II
2. The Closings of each Motherhouse thus far, Akron most recently

+ OTHER  Sharing:
The Media and Print can be centers of Collaboration going forward. It is the time for us to speak out on behalf of Truth – we cannot hide from this responsibility. We know by Faith that the Spirit guides us and always has – we see from our hindsight

Barb Ebner's Group

We talked about the following:      
Our congregations have regularly responded to the needs of the times.  founding schools, helping the poor and homeless, providing safe places, etc  We will continue to do so. In KY and elsewhere we have responded to natural disasters through donations.
Also in KY, signs have been made and will be carried outside the motherhouse indicating concerns about present administration.

Roberta Miller's Group

In the Past: Visionary sisters/groups in our separate congregations who identified the needs of the time—health, education, foreign mission, livable housing [Habitat ex.]; today, some same needs but increased or just recognized as immigration, racism, trafficking, prison ministry, LGBT.

Type of cross-fertilization between individual and communal calls with congregation/institution and bodies/sisters.

Today, extensive needs but with shrinkage of sisters and congregations. Needed response: Collaboration [a speaker point]: with all religious both Dominican and non-Dominican, laity in recognition of our power together [speaker pt.].We can have positive influences locally—to start. 

How: each of us, whether physically able [stock food pantry, engage in charity bazaar Ex.] or not, with inner spirit and intentionality-- each has gifts to give --writing, phoning, presence at events—where we can give witness to values of Truth in compassion, understanding and reaching out to others in need. Presence gives recognition and can build trust for opening to Truth.  We are energized even if exhausted for the moment.

Relationships—openness and recognition of needs of humanity—connecting with.

Recorder: Roberta Miller

Sr. Jeanne Moore's Group

We reviewed past congregational conversations and stances about LGBTQ+ Sanctuary DEI issues past and present as well as the decision to become peace. Honest conversations are crucial as we face current political challenges