Twenty-five Sparkill Dominican Sisters and Associates gathered at St. Catherine Laboure Church on August 6, 2023, to celebrate the Feast of St. Dominic, patron of the Order. The prayer service honored Dominic, a grace-filled preacher with readings from Henri Lacordaire, OP, and Paul’s letter to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:2) admonishing him to preach the truth “whether is convenient or inconvenient.” Father Lacordaire’s reading spoke of “preaching as the highest of all kinds of eloquence” and “eloquence as the daughter of passion.”
Saint Dominic did not establish schools of rhetoric, but he taught his followers to read the heart of the age they lived in and to preach with a passion for God’s Word. All present shared their reflections on the readings in the tradition of Dominicans who share the fruits of their contemplation.
Three associate members renewed their commitment to the Sparkill Dominicans for five years. Margaret Busch has been an associate since 1986. Colleen Calhoon renewed her commitment originally made in 1989, and Lynn Tustanowsky, the newest St. Louis associate, renewed her commitment after one year.
Sister Jeannine DeClue, OP, a native of Festus, MO, will be moving to the Motherhouse in Sparkill in September. Sister Jeannine has been a wonderful gift to the community in St. Louis for 55 years. She has blessed the community with her generous heart, hard work, prayer, and presence and will be greatly missed as she now joins the community at the Motherhouse.
The prayer closed with singing the Dominican Blessing for the three Associates and Sister Jeannine and all enjoyed one another’s company over a delicious dinner.
