General chapter focuses on interculturality, collaborative Dominican future “For the life of the World”

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. — During a week of prayerful conversation and contemplative deliberation, the
Dominican Sisters of Springfield on April 5, 2024, affirmed a chapter statement in which they agreed to
respond to the needs of the Church and the world by committing to intercultural living and participative
Dominican governance as they look toward the next five years.

“Rooted in our prayer for the life of the world, and in our care for our common home, we are
strengthened by our Associates and partners-in-mission to walk together into a future of authentic
intercultural living,” the statement says.

To reach their goal, the sisters said “Together, we will” strengthen relationships within the congregation,
welcome and support new members to the congregation and Dominican life, and build intercultural
relationships “through study, engagement, and interaction.”

The hallmarks of the congregation’s ministry for the past two decades have been their commitment to
antiracism and their response to the “Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor” through their efforts to
live sustainably and encourage others in the care of Earth and her inhabitants.

“These efforts will continue, and will be strengthened by this evolution in our thinking,” explained Sister
Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP, the current prioress general of the congregation. “We want witness to the
good news of Jesus in our countries of origin—the United States and Peru—both burdened with cultural
and political divisiveness, threats to democracy, and threats to the peace, tranquility, and flourishing of
the human and the other-than-human beings with whom we share our homelands. Our desire to live
interculturally—within our own community as Dominican Sisters who are Peruvian and U.S. citizens, and
with the many diverse cultures in our countries—is a natural outgrowth of our antiracism work and, we
believe, a powerful intercultural—and countercultural—gospel witness.

“It is for these reasons we say we want to ‘walk together into a future of authentic intercultural living’,”
Sister Rebecca Ann said, referencing a line from the chapter direction statement.

The second major theme of their chapter deliberations was the future of Dominican governance within
the Dominican family.

“We take the next steps into our congregational future, grounded in the freedom offered in our Constitutions. We are energized by participating in the emerging movements of governance within the Dominican family,” the statement says.

To fulfill their commitment to themselves, the broader Dominican family, and the People of God, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield have committed to the necessary study to move toward a collaborative form of Dominican governance.

“Creative conversations about how collaboration can reshape and renew the future of Dominican life have been going on for years,” said Sister Rose Miriam Schulte, OP, vicaress general. “We are now at a point in our journey when it is time to animate our words with actions that move us forward into the future together.”

The week-long general chapter consisted of two parts. During the 5-day chapter of life and mission the sisters synthesized an 18-month-long period of study, prayer, and contemplative dialogue into the 2024 General Chapter Direction Statement. The complete statement is here.

We, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, guided by the Holy Spirit, join with others to reimagine a future of promise and hope.
Rooted in our prayer for the life of the world, and in our care for our common home, we are strengthened by our Associates and partners-in-mission to walk together into a future of authentic intercultural living. Trusting in the transformation already at work within us, we step into the challenges, riches, and grace of the unknown.
Together, we will strengthen relationships within our congregation.
Together, we will invite, welcome, and support new members to our congregation and to Dominican life.
Together, we will build relationships with those of other cultures, through study, engagement and interaction.
We take the next steps into our congregational future, grounded in the freedom offered in our Constitutions. We are energized by participating in the emerging movements of governance within the Dominican family.
Together, we will engage in ongoing conversation and communal study in our effort to move toward a collaborative form of governance.
Together, we will embrace individual and shared responsibility for participative Dominican governance.
Compelled by our passion for mission, we respond, in Christ, for the life of the world.

During the 2-day chapter of elections the sisters elected a team of four leaders who will assume leadership on June 15, 2024. They are Sisters Mary Paul McCaughey, OP, prioress general-elect; Sister
Joanne Delehanty, OP, vicaress general-elect, and second and third councilors-elect, Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP, and Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy, OP. Their brief biographies are below.

Since 2017 Sister Mary Paul McCaughey, OP, has been a full-time faculty member at DePaul University, Chicago, where she teaches masters and doctoral students and coordinates the graduate studies and internship programs for Catholic Educational Leadership in the College of Education. 2008-2015 she was superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago, the country’s second largest Catholic education system, and then 2015-2017 was appointed the Cardinal’s Advocate for Catholic Schools, where she was instrumental in helping to pass the Invest in Kids legislation at the Illinois Statehouse. Prior to that she spent many years in educational leadership at Sacred Heart Academy/Sacred Heart-Griffin, 1985-1991; and Marian Catholic High School, 1992-2008, where she served at various times as president and principal. She began her ministry in elementary school and high school teaching and also pursued doctoral studies in theology and social sciences at Chicago Theological Seminary. Sister Mary Paul was raised in Park Ridge and Olympia Fields, Illinois. She holds a certificate in clinical pastoral counseling, and master’s degrees in education, theology, and business and school administration.

Sister Joanne Delehanty, OP, a Chicago native, who was raised in Park Forest, Ill., was an elementary school teacher at parochial schools in Algonquin, Springfield, and Chicago from just after her profession 1969 through 1989, when she became a pioneer at St. Benedict the African Parish, a consolidation of eight parishes, in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. She served there as pastoral associate, religious education coordinator and director of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults until 2021. In February 2022 she began her ministry as support staff at St. Bernard’s Hospital, Chicago. She has a masters in pastoral studies and an undergraduate degree in education.

Springfield native Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP, has, since 2019, been director of formation for the congregation and most recently for this past year, the director of formation for the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in Chicago, where she has facilitated the spiritual and professional growth of five novices from three Dominican congregations. She served the congregation as vocation director, 1998-2006, during which time she was also promoter of preaching and campus minister at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. She was coordinator of religious vocation ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago, 2007-2014. After her profession of vows in 1985 through 1994 she completed a bachelor’s degree then taught elementary school in Aurora, Ill., and at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Hammond, La. Her bachelor’s degrees are in history and theology. She holds a certificate in preaching and a Master’s in theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology.

Born in Chicago and raised in Kankakee, Ill., Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy, OP, previously served in congregation leadership, 2009-2019. After her profession of vows in 1981 she taught junior high school and high school math and computer at St. Christina Parish Chicago, St. Patrick School, Springfield, and Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, Ill. In 1996 she was missioned to Peru where she did pastoral work and helped to found a new mission in San Juan Bautista, Jarpa, where she served 2000-2004 and 2005-2006. She was director of formation for the sisters in Lima, 2006-2009. After completing her prior term of leadership, she began part time ministry at Bethany House of Hospitality, a home for women in the asylum process, in Chicago, where she is currently the director. Sister Kathlyn has a bachelor degree in math, a master in computers in education, and a certificate in cross-cultural ministry from Catholic Theological Union.

PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, Sunday, May 19, Parish Picnic, including cookout and games for the whole family. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.

COLUMBUS – Annunciation School, Production of “Peter Pan” by middle school students, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. and April 26 at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Cost: $5 adults; $3 students (3-18 years); under three years old – free. The 9:30 a.m. showing on April 26 is free and open to the public. Details: school office (662) 328-3379.

GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Charity Tea, Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m. in the parish hall. Cost: adults $25; children 10 and under $15. Tickets available after Mass on April 13 and 14. Limited number available. Details: church office (601) 856-2054.

JACKSON – St. Richard School, Flight to the Finish 5k and Fun Run, Saturday, April 20 at 9 a.m. Details: Visit website for more info and to register at https://runsignup.com/Race/MS/Jackson/FlighttotheFinish. To sponsor visit https://bit.ly/FlighttoFinish.

JACKSON – Sister Thea Bowman School, Annual Draw Down, Saturday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose building. Grand prize $5,000; tickets $100 (admits 2), second chance insurance $20. Enjoy great food, entertainment, silent auction, door prizes and more. Casual attire. Details: contact Shae at (601) 351-5197 or stbdrawdown@gmail.com.

JACKSON – Capitol building, Working Together Mississippi Rally for Full Medicaid Expansion, Tuesday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To see the full schedule and register to attend visit: https://bit.ly/3U8yFOv.

MADISON – St. Francis, Save the dates: Vacation Bible School – June 17-20; Cajun Fest – Sunday, May 19.
MADISON – St. Joseph School, “Bruin Burn” 5k Run/Walk and fun run, May 11 at 8 a.m. Early bird registration $25 for 5k or $10 for fun run through April 25. Register at https://raceroster.com/events/2024/87878/bruin-burn. Details: email bruinburn@gmail.com.

NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Blood Drive, Tuesday, April 16, from 12:45-5:45 p.m. at the Family Life Center. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.

St. Mary Basilica, Life Line Screening, Friday, April 19 at the Family Life Center. Advanced ultrasound technology looks inside your arteries for signs of plaque buildup. To register for an appointment and receive a special discount, call 1-800-640-6307 or visit llsa.social/hc.

NATCHEZ – Cathedral School, Cajun Countdown, Friday, May 3. Details: eks_46@yahoo.com or sarahc@terralriverservice.com.

PEARL – St. Jude, Spring Fair, Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parish hall. This free event will feature a variety of handmade items, homemade food, raffle and more. All proceeds will benefit the St. Jude’s Artisan Guild ministry. Details: church office (601) 939-3181.

SENATOBIA – St. Gregory, Youth United for Christ Spring Fun Event, Sunday, April 21, begins with Mass at 3 p.m. Join youth from the six parishes of Northwest Mississippi for a fun day of sports, games and prizes. Snacks and dinner provided. Details: (662) 562-5318.

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
NATCHEZ – 2nd annual Believe Conference, April 19-21, 2024. Featured speakers are Anne Trufant, Catholic speaker and founder of The Mission on the Mountain; Barbara Heil, founder of From His Heart Ministries; and Joanne Moody, minister author, and founder of Agape Freedom Fighters. Cost: $100 for weekend; $50 for students. Lunch included on Saturday. Details: visit https://www.themissiononthemountain.com.

NEW ORLEANS – Directed Retreat with the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center at the Cenacle on Lake Pontchartrain, June 28-July 3. Cost $500 –includes lodging, meals and personal spiritual director. To register call (504) 861-3254. Details: for more information call Melinda at (601) 597-7178.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist,” Thursdays, April 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; and June 6 from 6:30-8 p.m. How do these Jewish roots help us, to understand his real presence in the Eucharist? Facilitator is Don Coker. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

NOW HIRING
FLOWOOD – St. Paul Early Learning Center is now hiring a director. Ages for the Center cover infants through Pre-K5. Qualifications include bachelors degree in education or similar; experience in early childhood development; spiritual and instructional leadership skills; experience with school finance/budgeting requirements. Must maintain a personal philosophy, values and lifestyle consistent with the tenents of the Catholic faith. Email letter of interest and resume to finance@spaulcc.org.