VOLUME 4 January-March 2007 NUMBER 1

INSIDE LUMINARIA

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Provincial Moderator:Mr. Bruce Trigo, OP

Provincial Vice-Moderator:Miss Cynthia Donnelly, OP

Provincial Secretary:Dr. Elaine “Lanie” LeBlanc, OP

Provincial Treasurer:Mr. William Malloy, OP

Past Moderator and Ex-Officio CouncilMember:Mrs. Druscilla Chauffe. OP

Promoter of the Dominican Laity:Fr. John Lydon, OP

In our history there are many events that encourage us to renew our faithfulnessto our vocation as sons and daughters of Saint Dominic: “to contemplate andshare the fruits of our contemplation”.

”The nuns of the Order of Preachers came into being when our holy FatherDominic gathered women converts to the Catholic faith in the monastery ofBlessed Mary of Prouille. These women, free for God alone, he associated tohis ‘holy preaching’ by their prayer and penance”.[2] Blessed Jordan wrote:“the Order of Preachers had not yet been founded; it was rather a question of itsinstitution, as Saint Dominic was still dedicating himself fully to the ministry ofpreaching ... And so, from the death of the Bishop of Osma - Diego - until theLateran Council, approximately ten years passed, during which bro. Dominicwas practically alone in the region”.[3]800 years have now passed since this historic event. As we consider what is, insome way, the first Dominican community, truly the hidden seed of the Order,analogously we celebrate as well the theological priority that contemplationholds in our life and mission.

It is truly right and just that we thank God for the gift of our contemplativesisters! They support us in the path we follow; they participate in a special wayin our preaching; they welcome us that we may share the hopes and joys, thegrief and anxieties of our itinerant ministry. As Saint Catherine of Siena did, sothey encourage us to have no fear, to go forth in the highways and byways tomeet those who thirst for God; they compel us to live a passion for Christ andfor humanity.

See Master’s Letter Page 2

I send you this letter from the Monastery of BlessedMary in Prouille, the first monastery of the Order,on the Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena, our oldersister, “into whom, it seems, ‘the whole soul ofDominic passed (as indeed into Blessed Jordan ofSaxony)’”.[1]

My brothers and sisters:

“Let us walk faithful to the love we had at first”(see Revelations 2, 4)

Letter to the whole Order announcing the Jubilee Year for the800th anniversary of the foundation of the first community of

contemplative nuns

Carlos A. Azpiroz Costa, O.P. Master General of the Order

LUMINARIA THE VOICE OF THE DOMINICAN LAITY OF THE PROVINCE OF SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES

Master’s Letter Pages 1 and 2

800 years later-Together as Familyby Brian Pierce, OP Pages 3 and 4

Chapter News Page 5 and 6

Editor’s Comment Page 6 and 17

“Green Pages” Pages 7,8,9,10,11,12

Executive Council Pages 13,14,15,16

Welcome fr. John Lydon, OP Page 17

General Information Page 18

Obituaries, Sick List and Saints Corner Page 19

“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8: 31-32).

We must live this anniversary with the serene joy of Saint Dominic. God willing, and with the whole of the Order ofPreachers, beginning with the first Sunday of Advent (3 December 2006) and continuing through the Epiphany in 2008, wewill celebrate a Jubilee Year, dedicated to the memory of these 800 years of our contemplatives. We will live a “novena” ofyears that will take us to another important event: the 8th centenary of Pope Honorius III’s confirmation of the Order with theBull Religiosam vitam of 22 December 1216.

We will concentrate our celebration during this Jubilee Year in each and every monastery throughout the world. Thecontemplative charism of our nuns is certainly not tied to any one particular site or community. For this reason, we have notplanned any functions, events or ceremonies centred in Prouille. Nevertheless, as an eloquent sign of the communion withall of the monasteries of the Order, on the first day of the Jubilee some of the friars of our General Curia will celebrate theEucharist in monasteries that the Order considers “true sanctuaries” due to their special connection with the life of SaintDominic: the Monastery of Blessed Mary in Prouille (founded in 1206-1207); the Monastery of the Holy Rosary (ex-SaintSixtus) in Rome (founded in 1219); the Royal Monastery of Saint Dominic in Madrid (founded in 1218-1219); the Monasteryof Saint Dominic in Caleruega (founded in Caleruega in 1270).[4] Each monastery could organize similar initiatives involvingthe whole Dominican Family.

To prepare our hearts for this celebration, each monastery will offer its own suggestions and proposals for events, initiativesand celebrations to help the whole Dominican Family renew our vocation by concentrating on the riches of the contemplativelife, the well-spring of our preaching. The International Commission of the Nuns will also offer some subsidies to live moreintensely this Jubilee Year.

May all of us, the sons and daughters of Saint Dominic, prepare ourselves to make this pilgrimage to our monasteriesjoyfully; let us there drink of the fresh simplicity of the “love we had at first”, feeling ourselves at the feet of Jesus, that wemay be with Him and listen to Him. Let us live this time with intensity and grace, sharing with our contemplative communitiesthe joy of their consecration, the fruitfulness of their silence, the beauty of their liturgy, their special love for the Word.

The Jubilee Year will be an expression of gratitude for our Dominican vocation through which we are called to Praise, toBless and to Preach God with the Church, in the Church and for the Church.

The Holy Spirit providentially inspired Saint Dominic de Guzman to lay the foundations of the Order of Preachers in someway in the life and mission of our contemplatives. We shout Magnificat! for all that the Lord has done for us through them!

Fraternally in Saint Dominic, from the Monastery of “Blessed Mary” in Prouille, 29 April, the Feast of Saint Catherine ofSiena, 2006,

Bro. Carlos A. Azpiroz Costa OP

Master of the Order[1] Fr. Aniceto Fernández in Analecta O.P. 78 (1970) 481; see Mortier, Histoire des maîtres généraux de l’Ordre desFrères Prêcheurs, I (Paris 1903) 139.[2] Liber constitutionum Monialium Ordinis Prædicatorum n. 1, § I.[3] Libellus n. 37.[4] see ACG Providence 2001 nn. 321-323.

Master’s Letter from Page 1

2

Basilica of OurLady of The

Rosary ofProuilhe

La Seignadou(Site of Dominic’s visionof a globe of fire led himto found the monastery

at Prouilhe)

3

800th Year Jubilee

Eight Hundred Years Later—Together at the Family Tableby Bro Brian J. Pierce, OP

We were all born into a family. Early on we learned that we did not choose our families; we inherited them. They are part ofthe “package called life.” This inheritance usually seems like a pretty marvelous thing to us, but if we are really honest, wewould have to confess that at some time or other, we have wondered if there might be some way to return this “package” fora model more to our liking, more stylish. That, of course, is impossible. Our family is just that, ours. Trade-ins are notaccepted.

The Church is also a family—inherited, not chosen. One day—at least for most of us—when we were just a few days ormonths old, some adults took us to a church, dressed us in white, sang a few songs, and poured cold water over our heads.“Welcome to the Church,” proclaimed the priest. People applauded, smiled, took photographs, and in some cases there wasa little party. Of course, no one asked us if we wanted to be part of this family. Something similar happened when we said“yes” to Dominican life, as well. Though in this case we had the freedom to choose to belong to this new family (composedof lay men and women, nuns and friars, sisters and members of the International Dominican Young Adult Movement), wedid not have the privilege of being able to choose our copilgrims for this new journey. From one day to the next we foundourselves in the midst of a sea of people who were saying, “Hello, brother! How are you doing, Sister?” And that’s just theway it was—all part of the “Dominican package.” At first this thing called Dominican Family was easy, even romantic! Tobe part of something so ancient and so sacred fascinated us. Learning to say, “Contemplata aliis tradere” in Latin –Wow!Cool! Awesome! At first one feels really strong, excited, on fire for preaching the Word of God. We wear our Dominicancross with pride—ready to be martyrs and to be fed to the lions for the sake of the Reign of God.

Unfortunately, that romanticism runs pretty thin after awhile, and we begin to look around at the people who are part of ourDominican community, and we hear ourselves murmuring under our breath: “Who invited her to be a Dominican? So nowthe Order receives just about anyone who comes and knocks on the door?” We begin to think that we’ve made a mistake, andat times we go out looking for a new family—more to our liking, more committed, more saintly—because this group livesneither the gospel nor the spirit of St Dominic. We decide to trade in the package. And the reason? “They tricked me.”

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And hegot up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting withhim and his disciple. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectorsand sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but the sick do. Go andlearn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous, but sinners” (Mt 9:9-13).

This thing we call “following Christ” is a mystery. Even though we are called to a life of holiness, a life committed to thevalues of the Reign of God, we who are called are just a flock of lost and scattered sheep. We find ourselves seated one dayat a table full of sinners and we are shocked. And rightly so! What was Jesus thinking? Was he crazy?

How do we proclaim the Good News of God to the whole world if we are a group that is so mediocre, so sinful, and ratherworthless? What does it mean to be part of a Church and a Dominican Family so full of sinners? This year, 2006, wecelebrate the Eighth Centenary of the foundation of the community of Prouilhe and the beginnings of the DominicanFamily—an event worthy to be commemorated festively. It is a year of pilgrimage and thanksgiving, and in the words of BroCarlos Azpiroz, OP, Master of the Order, it is a year to drink “the simple freshness of our ‘first love,’ seated at the feet ofJesus, to be with him and to listen to Him.”

If those of us who are seated at the Dominican table for this Jubilee Year, drinking of the wine of the Good News andlistening to Jesus, look closely enough, we will discover that we are not so different from the group of friends gathered withJesus in Matthew’s house two thousand years ago. We are just a group of mediocre, poor, and sinful disciples—the veryones that Jesus “came to call.” See 800 on Page 4

COMMENTARY

4

In the year 1206 Dominic welcomed into the inner sanctuary of his compassion a group of poor women—several of whomcame from families who had fallen into the dualistic Albigensian heresy. It was because Dominic drew near to them that hewas able to welcome them into his heart. This drawing near in solidarity was the fruit of his mendicant, contemplativepoverty. It is important to remember that the mendicant poverty of Dominic was not something romantic. It flowed from hisapostolic zeal. He wanted to be close to the poor and to those who suffer as a brother, as bearer of a word of hope. InMontpellier in 1206, when Dominic and Bishop Diego met with the Cistercian monks who were attempting to preach theTruth in the midst of the Albigensian heresy, they realized immediately that it was not possible to preach “from a distance,”that is, on horseback, preaching from a position of ecclesiastical power and wealth. The option for a life of mendicantpoverty was an apostolic option—a decision to journey in close proximity and solidarity with the poor and those whoseemed to be “like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36).

The goal of mendicant poverty, a part of our Dominican charism, is to be near the poor, attentive to their cry for life andjustice. St Dominic cried out in his night vigils, “Lord, what will become of the poor and of sinners?” precisely because hiscloseness to “the least of my brothers and sisters” (Mt 25:40) did not permit him to be indifferent. He opened himself to bewounded by the friends that he met along the way. His preaching was for them.

According to historical documents, with Dominic and the sisters at Prouilhe were some preaching companions, as well (notyet friars). And as contemplative nun and historian, Sr Barbara Beaumont, OP, points out in her marvelous article, “TheComing of the Preachers” (http://www.800.op.org), there were also—several months later—some lay families who unitedthemselves to the “Holy Preaching.” The whole group was not exactly what one would call a “salvation army.” It was simplythe beginning of something new, something poor and fragile, something that was apparently the will of God. At the Familytable in 1206, seated next to Bro Dominic, the preacher of grace, were our great grandmothers and grandfathers—simplepeople who had a deep longing to drink at the fountain of wisdom and to announce to the world the gratuity of salvation.

The fragile poverty of our preaching family—both in the year 1206 and in 2006—is not an obstacle for the working of God’sgrace. In the words of St Paul, intimate companion and friend of St Dominic, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor12:10). Our own poverty makes us sensitive to the poor, to their cry. Dominic’s preaching becomes our preaching each timewe contemplate the face of those who are excluded and invisible in our world today and raise our preaching voice on theirbehalf.

Today it is our turn to gather once again at our Family table to give thanks for this grace of preaching which we haveinherited from Bro Dominic. Our family is not perfect, but it is ours. It is not a family without its problems and sins, withouta few wrinkles here and there, but the gift which we have received is marvelously beyond compare. Among us today arebrother and sister theologians, poets, professors, Biblical scholars, and artists. Some of us are wise, and others less wise; werepresent all the colors and continents of the globe. We are the ancient fount of the Word made flesh and drink—withDominic and the early disciples—”the simple freshness of our first love.” But not just that, for once we have satedour thirst at the wellspring of grace, we are then ready for the most important task of all: to go and preach—inseason and out—that the Reign of God is at hand.Bro Brian J. Pierce, OP, is the Promoter of the Dominican Family in Latin America and the Caribbean. He is also the authorof We Walk the Path Together: Learning from Thich Nhat Hanh and Meister Eckhart.

800 cont’d from Page 3

PRAYER BEFORE READING THE WORDIn this and every year, in this and every place,O God everlasting, your word resounds in the wilderness of Advent, calling us to stand upon the height and to behold thesplendor of your beauty. Fill the valleys of our neglect; bring low our mountains of self-centeredness. Prepare in our heartsyour way of righteousness and peace. Let our love become a harvest of goodness, which you will bring to completion for theday of Christ Jesus, who was, who is and who is to come, your Son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the HolySpirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.——James Weaver, et al. AT HOME WITH THE WORD, 2007: SUNDAY SCRIPTURES ANDSCRIPTURE INSIGHTS. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2006, page 12

5

CHAPTER NEWSDomingo de Guzman Pro-Chapter

AUSTIN, TX We celebrate with the members of the Domingo de Guzman Pro-Chapter as they achieve full Chapter Status. BishopGregory Aymond of the Diocese of Austin, TX, approved the change of status and the request was forwarded to fr. John Lydon, OP,promoter of the laity for the Southern Province of St. Martin de Porres and the Executive Council of the Laity of the Southern ProvinceDomingo de Guzman Chapter was approved December 1, 2006.

L-R Peggy Hanifin, Gene Will (behind Fr Jerry Austin), Fr. Jerry Austin, Mary O’Connell, Annabelle Owen, and Shane O’Neill

L-R Jeanne Faulks Annabelle Owen Fr. Jerry Austin Peggy Hanifin Shane O’Neill

SARASOTA, FL April 4, 2006, the St. Joseph Chapter ofDominican Laity in Sarasota, FL, was privileged to have a Day ofReflection at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice,FL. Our very own, Father Jerry Austin, OP, was the presenter. Hefocused on our baptismal call to holiness and the spiritual growthas a daily “happening.” At the end of the enriching day, Father Jerrypresided at the Committment Mass where Annabelle Owen andShane O’Neill made second committment. Our Moderator, PeggyHanifin accepted their promise for another year.

The date for our next Day of Reflection with Father Jerry Austin,OP is scheduled for March 22,2007. Everyone is cordially invitedto join us. You may either call Helen Tesliman at 941-924-8045 orby sending an e-mail to Sister Gloria Hillman, OP at glori-hope@juno.com.

On October 25, 2006, Gene Willis, a permanently professed Do-minican and teacher at each of our meetings, was ordained a Perma-nent Deacon. Accolades go to his wife, Suzanne,also a permanently professed Dominican studied and

bb

ST. JOSEPH CHAPTER OF DOMINICAN LAITY by Sister Gloria Hillman, OP

attended classes with Gene. Bishop John J. Nevins has appointedGene to be Director of Prison Ministry in the nine counties of thediocese of Venice.

Another bright light in our chapter, Kathy Mayl, has for severalyears cooked a meal for fifty to seventy homeless men in Resurrec-tion House, in Sarasota. Kathy makes delicious soups, beef stew,spaghetti and meatballs as well as many other tasty dishes. Resur-rection House is a “walk-in” facility where the homeless receivecounseling, they are able to wash their clothes and receive help find-ing a job. Georgina Caso, who is fluent in Spanish, has volunteeredto travel to the missions as a translator. We are proud of the workthese women are doing.

Mary O’Connell, a former moderator of our chapter, celebrated her90th birthday this year. Mary is youthful, energetic, a lector at massand keeps us all on our toes with all things “Dominican” at ourmeetings.

Our meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at St.Thomas More Chelsea Center, 2506 Gulf Gate Dr. Sarasota, FL.Inquirers and the Novitiate gather at 2 PM and the Profess andNovitiate gather from 3 to 5 for the regular meeting.

NEW ORLEANS, LA On November 8 2006, Ava Smith made her temporary commitment and Jimmy Davis madehis permanent commitment to the Dominican Laity. Members of the Veritas chapter including moderator HubieMule, treasurer Mitzi Labadot, secretary Elsa Hodges, and religious promoter Sr. Veronica Miceli OP were presentfor this wonderful ceremony at the chapel at the St Mary’s Dominican Sisters’ mother house in New Orleans. Fr.Jeffrey Ott OP presided. Congratulations to Ava and Jimmy.

Veritas Chapter New Orleans

6

St. Dominic Chapter New OrleansCelebrates Permanent Professions

L-R fr. Jerry Stookey, OP; Theodore George; Anthony Cuccia;

Joyce Cornibe; June Calkins; fr R. Chrys Finn, OP

“Where two or more are gathered in MyName…”

by Joyce Cornibe

NEW ORLEANS, LA Whenever members of theDominican Laity meet, it’s always a joyous gathering. Andthe recent Permanent Professions of four members of theSt. Dominic and St. Anthony Chapters was an especiallyhappy occasion. June Calkins, Joyce Cornibe, AnthonyCuccia, and Theodore George made their Final Professionson October 22, 2006 at St. Dominic’s Thomas AquinasChapel.

We were privileged to have Fr. Jerry Stookey, OP, PromoterGeneral of the Laity, present. There had been a DLIPCmeeting that weekend, held at the Cenacle Retreat Housein Metairie, LA which Fr. Jerry attended.

Presiding, was our Fr. Chrys Finn, OP, representing ourPrior Provincial, Fr. Marty Gleeson, OP, and MasterGeneral of the Order, Bro. Carlos Aspiroz,OP.Representing the two Chapters in the ceremony were theModerators Maureen Wright from the St.Dominic Chapterand Maria George from the St.Anthony Chapter. Alsoattending were Gregory Wright, Director of Formation, andJoAnn Cotterman, Sacristan and Vice-Moderator of theSt. Dominic Chapter.

The singing of the beautiful Litany of Dominican Saintswas led by Shirley Stewart. After the meaningfulDominican hugs and well wishes of the brothers and sisters,we walked over to a trailer that St. Dominic Parish is usingfor meetings since Katrina. There we enjoyed quite a feastand community time.

LUMINARIA IS BACK!!!

It has been more than a year since a LUMINARIA editionhas “hit the streets.” Since then, much water has passed“under the bridge,” figuratively for most of you, but for someof us the water has passed not just under the bridge but quiteliterally over it as well.

Lay Dominicans of the Province of St. Martin de Porres alongwith many provinces have been most generous with prayersand resources for those of us displaced by nature’s violence.All of you have made it possible for the momentarily sunderedspirits of your Gulf Coast brothers and sisters to find rest inChrist and your efforts have made it possible for us to believethat a topsy-turvy world, through God’s infinite love andkindness, can be put right again. Having said that, there isstill much work that has to be done by the people of NewOrleans and the Gulf Coast areas and that work does goforward.

I recently returned to New Orleans to visit family and see totheir needs. While I was there, I took one of the tours offeredby Grayline Tours. This particular tour went through manyof the more devastated areas in the city; the tour, to say theleast, was sobering. Some areas of the city have returned toa semblance of normalcy but many parts of it are stilluninhabitable. Many of the people displaced by Katrina wouldlike nothing better than to return to their homes but that maynot be possible for a very long time

The journey has been long and very painful at times butLUMINARIA has a new home at 1419 Watts Ave. Katy, TX77493. Would you believe, it now has a room of its own.This first issue since the great Katrina diaspora (with theapproval of the editorial board, of course) is to be dedicatedto the 800th Jubilee of the founding of the the order of Nunsat Prouille in France and to Justice, Peace and the Care ofCreation.

The 800th anniversary, a great milestone for our order, iscovered in a letter from Bro. Carlos Aspiroz Costa, OP, MasterGeneral of the Order of Preachers and in an article Beginningon Page 3 by fr. Brian Pierce, OP.

Scott Farris, OP, on pages 7 through 12, presents the conceptsof Justice, Peace and the Care of Creation from the point ofview of the laity of the Southern Province of St. Martin dePorres. You will find Scott’s article in a new section we callthe “Green Pages;” the pages themselves are not green, norwas there any intention that they should be. They are calledthe “Green Pages” because much of Creation seems to favorthe color green. See LUMINARIA on Page 17

7

THE GREEN PAGESby J. Scott Farris

J. Scott Farris

Many components of the definition of peace are relevant to our current lives. We find ourselves seeking peace on manydifferent levels, at the same time.

Of course, scripture has many passages that also refer to peace. My personal favorite is “…and the peace of God, whichtranscends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. ( Phil 4:7, NIV)” When we look at ourworld, we understand the need for transcending peace.

In the deepest recesses of our souls, we know we have a need for peace. In our active lives, we may have problemsfinding peace. We may not understand our personal responsibility in creating peace. We may not know how to get (orgive) it, but we do have an awareness of where it is needed.

Oftentimes, in order to give peace we have to seek justice. In righting wrongs, we are able to restore peace and facilitatehealing.

As Dominican laity, we achieve these tasks through our balanced life of prayer, study, contemplation, and action, guidedby the Holy Spirit through community discernment. Each province in North America has representatives from eachbranch of the Family who serve as Promoters for Peace, Justice, and the Care of Creation. Fr. Jeff Ott (St. Martin), Sr.Jane Abell (Houston), and I represent the Southern Province. On an annual basis, the promoters meet to review andrevise an ongoing list of priorities which outline our combined efforts. In the following pages, you will find a detailedlisting of each priority as well as a brief explanation. This by no means limits the works for justice and peace byDominicans, but provides an basic outline of work being achieved.

My role as promoter for the laity is to provide the community at large with basic information on the North Americanpriorities, as well as to encourage participation in activities which lead to a better understanding of the works of peaceand justice. To achieve this goal, we have created a few opportunities in which you may want to participate:

· The Green Pages will be designated space in the quarterly newsletter which will serve as an informationsource on JPCC priorities and provincial justice and peace news.

· We now have an internet website at www.southerndominicanlaity.org , which contains information on manytopics related to Dominican laity life.

· Beginning January 2007, we will begin hosting the Justice Exchange, a monthly e-news blog on differentissues related to peace, justice, and care of creation work. Information can be found on our provincialwebsite, where you can subscribe for free!

· We are also interested in creating a Justice and Peace Committee, with representatives from each prochapteror chapter who might be interested in promoting JPCC activities at the local level. If you are interested,email me at webmaster@southerndominicanlaity.org .

By the time you receive this newsletter, Advent will have come and gone, and we will be well on our way into OrdinaryTime. Try to remember the wonderful prayers and well wishes you received at Christmas, and look for ways to seekpeace in your own life and in the lives of those around you. Know of my prayers for each of you to have a peace fillednew year, and that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds.

I received a Christmas card in the mail today. Like many of the cards I have received, it offerswishes of joy, happiness, and peace for the coming year. In preparing for this article, Ireviewed the definition of peace. Freedom from war; a state of mental calm and serenity, withno anxiety; the absence of violence or other disturbances; freedom from conflict ordisagreement among people or groups of people; a greeting or farewell statement. (Encarta)

8

Jan.-Feb. 2007 Justice Report for CIW!(Option One)Give Another Gift for the Christ Child

Did you see the movie, “The Nativity Story?”

The scene that captured my imagination was that of Mary wrapping Jesus in bands of cloth. (Luke 2:7) After seeingthe film I also recalled the linen wrapping in the empty tomb at Easter. (John 20:5) “He (John) bent down to lookin and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in.” Please keep the above Scripture passages in mindas I try to link recent events to how you can give another gift/present for the Christ Child.

Sister Marion Irvine, O.P., who is the Justice Promoter for the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, California, plusSister Bernadette Wambacher, O.P., also a San Rafael Dominican sister, and myself, Joyce Calagos, O.P.L., whoserves as our Western Dominican Provincial Lay Promoter of Justice, participated in a Oct. 27-28, 2006 nationalconference. The conference, titled, “Point Seven NOW: Keeping America’s Promise to Make Poverty History,”was sponsored in part by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services. They partnertogether and conduct a “Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty.” Read about this campaign online at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/globalpoverty/ U.S. Catholics can help keep America’s promise to make poverty history byincreasing foreign aid toward .7% of the National Income.

Cardinal Renato Martino, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace was in attendance. Father JohnDonahue, S.J., gave us biblical background to the Call of the Poor in the Gospels. But, the big boost of energy camewhen economist, Jeffrey Sachs, noted that 300 million insecticide-treated bed nets were needed worldwide toprevent malaria. It costs about ten U.S. dollars to make a bed net. One of the attendees at the conference noted thatsince there are 300 million Americans, why can’t every person in the U.S. donate $10.00 for bed nets.

At our San Francisco archdiocesan follow-up to the conference we found out that a priest, who is part of our S.F.archdiocesan steering committee for the “Point 7 NOW” campaign, will be returning to Tanzania. Bed nets are alsomade in Tanzania. Consequently, myself, and members from other parishes have already donated money so Fathercan bring the money to pay for the manufacturing of more bed nets. The funds also provide poor people with jobs.

May you “catch the fire” and send money to pay for bed nets! Before and after Father’s trip to Tanzania, you canmake checks payable to “Apostolic Life Community of Priests” (A.L.C.P.)Mail checks to:

Father Paulinus Mangesho300 Fulton St.Redwood City, CA 94062

Funding for bed nets is a call to offer another gift/present to the Christ Child; the Christ Child, who is “present” inthe poor. Like Mary at Christmas who warded off the chill of night with swaddling clothes for Jesus, we lovinglyenfold people with bed nets to chase away the danger of death from malaria-causing mosquito bites.

I pray that as Dominicans, who preach the Good News of Jesus Christ, we will spread the Good News, and urgeothers everywhere to contribute for bed nets.

May Lent also find us praying and fasting, so that our almsgiving will be able to enshroud additional people withthose 300 million anti-malarial bed nets.

9

10

11

12

13

THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S PAGES

International Dominican Laity http://laity.op.orgInternational Dominican Laity Congress http://www.laydominicancongress.orgSouthern Province Dominican Laity http://www.southerndominicanlaity.orgEastern Province Dominican Laity http://www.3op.orgWestern Province Dominican Laity http://www.laydominicanswest.orgDominican Symposium http://sienahts.edu/%7Esymposium/Parable Conference http://www.parableconference.orgDomLife http://www.domlife.org fr. Paul Hinnebusch http://www.frpaulhinnebusch.org fr. Matt Robinson http://www.unbornperson.orgSouthern Province of St. Martin de Porres http://www.opsouth.org

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

oving Father,through the Church you call us in thisnew millennium “to nourish ourselveswith the Word, in order to be servants ofthe Word in the work of evangelization.”

Fill us with the gift of your spirit that we may preach the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, among all we meet along the path of life. May the same Spirit over-shadow and guide all who will be planning and participating in theinternational Congress 2007, so that our work of evangeliza-tion will bear abundant fruit for the Kingdom of heaven.we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jubilee Prayer (1206-2006)

God of Mercy,

In your eternal Wisdom, you called your servant, Dominic, to set on a journey of faith as itinerant pilgrimand preacher of grace. With your Word of gentle Truth in his heart and on his lips, Dominic invited thefirst sisters and brothers to join him in a life of contempletive obedience in service of the holy preaching.

As we Commemorate this Jubilee, we ask you to breathe the Spirit of the Risen Christ again into ourhearts and minds. Re-create us, so that we might faithfully and joyfully proclaim the Gospel of Peace,through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen

Mary, Mother of the Word made flesh, pray for us.

International Congress 2007 Prayer

14

FROM THE MODERATOR’S PEN

Bruce Trigo, OPModerator

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is with much gladness that I write this note to you all as it signifies the return of our newsletter.I am also a bit overwhelmed as I consider the many things that I would like to share with youall.

By now news of our new promoter should have reached all of you but in case anyone wasmissed, Fr. John Lydon, O.P., has been named as the new Provincial Promoter for the DominicanLaity of the Southern Province. Having met with him a few times already I know he is accessible,

Also by now we should all be aware of our webpage (www.southerndominicanlaity.org) thanks to Scott Farris whoalso serves as our Lay Provincial Promoter of Justice and Peace and Care of Creation. Check it out and send Scottany comments and or suggestions you may have. In October the Southern Province hosted the Dominican Laity Inter-Provincial Council meeting representing theleadership of the North American Provinces and vicariate of Canada. For more details read Karen’s article, on page16, for details about the meeting. On December 3rd 2006 Our Order began a 10 year Jubilee celebrating the coming 800th anniversary of the foundationsof the Order. Two articles on the Jubilee in this newsletter are Fr. Carlos’ letter of invocation and Fr. Brian Pierce’sarticle on being family. I highly recommend reading the referenced article by Sr Barbara Beaumond, O.P. and thearticle by Liam Walsh, O.P found on the given web-page. There is also information on an upcoming symposium forthe Jubilee on page 19. I encourage everyone who can to consider attending. I also ask that chapters seriouslyconsider covering the cost for someone from their chapter to attend.

Finally, I would like to mention the upcoming Lay Dominican Congress in Argentina and ask that you read theLetter of Convocation sent out by the International Council for Lay Dominican Fraternities on page 15. Visit thewebsite for the congress and read the issues that will be considered at the congress. Pray for the success of thiscongress, send me any comments and or questions you may have, and considered giving your financial support tothis important event. Please use the web links listed on page 13 to obtain further information pertaining to these items as well as visitingthe other websites of interest. I realize this is a flood of information but it is important for us to be informed of these events and more importantlywe need to be formed by them. Let us actively participate in the Jubilee “to gather once again at our Family table.”Let us be creative and persistent in finding ways to celebrate the gift of family we have inherited. Let’s make theDominican family a sign of hope showing that our diversity is a power for good. In the rite of final profession wesay “As Dominic was the light of his day let us be the light of our day.” What could be a better light, a morepowerful and authentic form of preaching, than a family united in love, mission, and joy?

is excited to be working with the laity, and will be a gift to all of us. One suggestion he made for the newsletter wasto include a section on book reviews. If you are interested in doing this let him know of your interest and be sure tosee his thumbnail biography on page 17. The anticipation of moving forward with Fr. John is accompanied with adeep gratitude to Fr. Marty Iott our outgoing promoter. Fr. Marty’s work over these many years has brought arenewed focus on the vocation of the Dominican Laity and sets the stage for us to move forward.

15

Your International Council of Lay Dominican Fraternities (ICLDF) sends you warmest greetings!

By means of this letter, the ICLDF is convoking an International Congress of official representatives of all Lay Dominican Fraternities(Rule of Montreal) throughout the world. This Congress will be the first such International Congress held since Montreal in 1985. Thebasic information is the following:

International Congress 2007

Theme: Lay Dominicans: Companions in Preaching

Date: 17th – 24th March, 2007

Venue: El Cenáculo Retreat House, at Pilar (Buenos Aires), Argentina

Delegates: One representative from each Province, vice-province and vicariate

The delegates must be the properly elected lay president of the province, vice-province or vicariate. An alternative delegate must beelected well in advance of 2007 in case it is necessary to replace the president for a legitimate reason such as illness. All delegates andtheir alternatives must be Finally Professed (Lifetime) members.

Cost: The exact cost of the Congress has yet to be determined. However, each province, vice-province, and vicariate urgently needsto begin fundraising now in order to send its delegate to this International Congress.

This International Congress requires the collaboration of everyone. First of all, let us all pray in every Lay Dominican Fraternity/Chapter for the success of our Congress. As companions in preaching, let us remember that this Congress is convoked primarily so thatwe can continue to be effective Lay Dominican preachers of the Word of God. Please pray that this venture may be very blessed, happyand fruitful.

We need your suggestions on matters that you would like to see the Congress address. Therefore, enclosed with this Letter of Convocationyou will find an Issues Form that should be used to send any suggested topics to the ICLDF, which is planning the programme for theCongress. The suggested Issues should be the result of serious discussion among Lay Dominicans and submitted collectively, ratherthan by an individual. Later, these suggestions from around the world will be compiled and approved by the ICLDF and distributed toyou for further discussion at the local level before the Congress. Our hope is that each delegate will come to the International Congresswell prepared on the Issues which have surfaced from around the world.

And finally, we need your help in raising funds to pay for this International Congress. We would like to assist those delegates from lessaffluent regions who may not otherwise be able to attend. We would like to raise enough money at the international level to keep ourcollective expenses very low. Hopefully, no province, vice-province, or vicariate will have excessive expenses. An International LaityCongress Fund has been opened at Santa Sabina in Rome. All donations to it must be clearly designated for that purpose and sent to: Dominican Laity Office, Convento Santa Sabina (Aventino), Piazza Pietro d’Illiria 1, 00153 Roma, ITALIA

There will be forthcoming information on the International Congress 2007 as plans continue to be made. We count on your enthusiasticinvolvement and support to make this exciting venture a success.

May God bless you all.

In St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena,

For Africa: Marcus KejungkiFor Asia Pacific: Belen TangcoFor Europe: Patricia Robinson

For Latin America: Pedro Torres

For North America: Laurie Biszko

Promoter General: fr. Gerald Stookey, OP

To all Members of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic

(Order of Preachers)

from the International Council for Lay Dominican Fraternities.

Convocation Letter

16

INTERPROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEETS

NEW ORLEANS, LA From October 19-22, 2006, theDominican Laity Interprovincial Council (DLIPC), hostedby the Lay Dominicans of the Southern Province andrepresenting the leadership of the North American provincesand vicariate, met in Metairie, Louisiana, at the CenacleRetreat Center. For the first time, it was a complete councilwith the four U.S. provinces, the Province of Canada, andthe Vietnamese Vicariate (Calgary) participating.

Agenda topics included issues of formation, statutes,apostolate, communications, peace and justice, lay preaching,the 200th Anniversary, and Congress 2007 to meet in BuenasAires in March. Connie Schoen, OP, spoke with us aboutParable and briefed us about the proposed secretariat. Studysessions addressed promotion of peace, justice, and care ofcreation presented by fr Jeff Ott, OP, and a practicum in laypreaching presented by Normand Laurendeau, OP.

Lighter moments were captured in socializing among theparticipants, as well as with members of the local chaptersand the friars who stopped by, in particular frs Carl Trutterand Prior Provincial Marty Gleeson; a wonderful concert ofjazz and Gospel music by dramatic soprano Shirley A.Stewart, OP, of the St. Dominic Chapter in New Orleans,and a visit from hilarious Cajun storyteller Tante Na Na (akaAnnette Bourgeois, OP, from the Heart of Jesus Chapter inLockport, LA).

Left to right top: fr John Lydon (Promoter, Southern Province),Bruce Trigo (Moderator, Southern Province), Dorothy Murphy(President, Eastern Province), fr George Matanic (Promoter,Western Province), fr Juan-Diego Brunetta (Promoter, EasternProvince), fr Jerry Stookey (Promoter General, Rome); middle:Cathy Neugebauer (Delegate, Canadian Province); KamalZariffa (President,Canadian Province), Normand Laurendeau(Delegate,Central Province), fr Jim Motl (Promoter CentralProvince), Ruth Kummer (President, Central Province);bottom:Dominic Nhan Van Nguyen (President, VietnameseVicariate). Doris Stukes (Delegate, Eastern Province andincoming delegate to the International Council of LayDominican Fraternities), Cynthia Donnelly (Delegate, SouthernProvince), fr Joseph Thien Tran Quang (Promoter, VietnameseVicariate), Karen Woods (President, Western Province)

On Saturday morning, the group toured the Katrina-ravagedareas of New Orleans. The tour provided the clearestunderstanding of just what happened there, a much greatervision of the loss and devastation than anyone could gleanfrom TV and newspaper coverage — much more than anyonethought s/he knew. The realization dawned that the NewOrleans tragedy has fallen a bit below radar for most of us,yet there is still so much to be done and so much healing totake place. There was a renewal of prayer on the part ofeveryone who stood in the midst of it.

Photo 1

Photo 2 Top Photo 3 Bottom

Photos 1 and 2 are ofthe Lower Ninth Wardin New Orleans. Photo 3is also taken in NewOrleans but the locationis unknown.

The “Mourning Man”art work was painted byElizabeth Andrews

by Karen Woods

SCENES OF NEW ORLEANS

17

Fr. John Lydon was recently appointed friar promoter for the Lay Province by fr. Marty Gleeson, OP. Someof you may remember his prior affiliation with the laity. We welcome fr. John back as our promoter and lookforward to working closely with him in our endeavors. His email address is jlydon.tulane@yahoo.com .

Below is a short biography submitted by fr. John.

I was born in Philadelphia, PA and attended parochial schools, primary and secondary. I have two sisters, onemarried with 5 children, one widowed with two children. Both my parents are now deceased. Among the manythings they taught me was hospitality. It is a clear mark in both Jewish and Christian traditions. I am always gratefulfor that gift and the example of Christian virtue that they both passed on to me and my sisters. After High School Ientered the Dominicans (Eastern Province) at Somerset, Ohio as a Lay brother candidate. I left and returned to laylife. However I did join the Dominican Laity at Elkins Park, PA. During my working years I volunteered at StFrancis Inn and for three years served the poor, learned a great deal about Social Justice with the Franciscans.Seeing Religious life up close again I entered the Southern Province and did my novitiate in Columbia, S.C. (1985-86) After first vows, as a Co-operator Brother, I was assigned to our house in Oakland, CA and began four years ofstudy. Our summer assignments were always in the Southern Province. In 1990 I was assigned to Campus Ministryin Archdiocese of San Antonio. In 1997 I requested to go on for Priesthood and studied at Aquinas Institute in St.Louis, MO. I was ordained a Deacon in 1998 and worked at Barry University. I was ordained in May of 1999 andcontinued at Barry until 2000 when I served as Rector and Campus Minister at the University of Dallas, Irving, TX.I was prior at St. Albert the Great Priory, Irving and last year I arrived in New Orleans on August 24. After hurricaneKatrina I stayed in Houston, TX and returned to New Orleans on January 5, 2006. I am now the Campus Ministerand Parochial Vicar at St. Thomas More Parish at Tulane University.

OUR NEW PROVINCIAL PROMOTER

In keeping with the third part, the Care of Creation, we must also work to foster an atmosphere wherein the concepts ofPeace and Justice may flourish. Father Jerry Stookey, OP, Promoter General for the Laity, remarked at the recent meeting ofthe DLIPC in New Orleans: “We have dodged peace issues by saying, ‘If you want peace, work for justice!’ The point is,whether we intend it or not, we concentrate more on the justice aspect and give peace scant attention.” Justice certainlymust be (for lack of a better term) the sword but peace must be the shield or buckler and each must carry equal weight inprotecting the rights of all people to live in calm safety.

As this issue goes to press, the seasons of Advent and Christmas have just past, seasons full of hope, joy, expectation andrevelation for all the world. In keeping with those seasons and as we enter Ordinary Time, I quote Fr. Jude Siciliano, OP, inhis First Impressions for the First Sunday of Advent: “We are not dreamers with our heads in the clouds. We are realistswho must persevere in our mission of service to the world, while not getting overwhelmed by the size of our task. It is hardto believe at times, but something new is coming. It is awful[ly] dark out there, but we can see a light up ahead and it isdrawing closer. With that vision sustained by prayer today we can renew our commitment to stand in vigilant service to theLord and to wait with eyes wide open for his return.”. . . “We have looked at the reassuring face of Christ and know thatGod is in control and will not let go of us until Jesus returns.”

LUMINARIA Cont’d from Page 7

Late have I loved Thee, O Beauty so ancient and so new, late have I loved Thee!And, behold, Thou wert within me and I myself on the outside, and it was there that I sought Thee. And into thoselovely things, which Thou madest, All unlovely did I rush. Thou wert with me, but I was not with Thee. Those thingskept me far from Thee, things that would not exist, unless they were in Thee. Confessions of St. Augustine

LUMINARIA GUIDELINES AND DEADLINES LIMINARIA GUIDELINES AND DEADLINES

APRIL-JUNE, 2007 Deadline March 1, 2007JULY-SEPTEMBER, 2007 Deadline June 1, 2007OCTOBER-DECEMBER, 2007 Deadline September 1, 2007JANUARY-MARCH, 2008 Deadline December 1 2007

Articles may be submitted in Microsoft Works or Word and in Corel Word Perfect to luminaria@infodat-llc.com ormay be mailed to LUMINARIA, 1419 Watts Ave. Katy, TX 77493

NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSION

For the rites of admission and profession:

I. WHO:A. NAMES OF INQUIRERS (Optional)B. NAMES OF THOSE BEING ADMITTEDC. NAMES OF THOSE MAKING FIRST PROFESSIOND. NAMES OF THOSE MAKING PERMANENT PROFESSIONE. NAMES OF PARTICIPATING CHAPTER OFFICIALSF. NAME OF THE CELEBRANT

II. WHAT:A. IS ALREADY DETERMINED; GIVE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RITES

III. WHEN:A. DAY, MONTH AND YEARB. TIME OF DAY

IV. WHERE:A. NAME OF CHURCH OR CHAPELB. GIVE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PLACE

For Chapter activities, again the “who,” “what,” “when,” and “where” are critical; an outcome, if the activity wascompleted, is also necessary. If the activity is an on-going one, please submit periodic updates.

There will be special columns for our Dominican Brothers and Sisters of all orders:A. A prayer list for those who are illB. A prayer list and memoriam for those who have gone to their heavenly rest.

Again, we will need names and dates for the submissions.

Pictures may be included with any article. Due to the expense of reproducing color images, all pictures will be renderedinto black and white. The persons in the photographs must be identified, i.e., left to right and/or 1st row second row,etc. Digital images make the best copy but others can be scanned into a digital format for reproduction.

All articles and any accompanying photographs may be cropped and/or rearranged as space and format dictates.

All photographic submissions are subject to approval by the editorial board as to content and applicability.The editorial board will also exercise discretion over written submissions as to content, grammar, length andrhetoric; all submissions become the property of LUMINARIA and its editorial board and will not be returned.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FORMAT THE ARTICLES OR PICTURESFormatting is done at the time of the Editorial Board’s final approval of content for the newsletter.

FAILURE TO ABIDE BY ANY OF THESE REQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN YOUR ARTICLE BEINGDISCARDED.

18

THIS COLUMN IS RESERVED FOROUR DOMINICAN BROTHERS ANDSISTERS AND OTHERS WHO HAVEDEPARTED THIS LIFE AND HAVEHAVE RETURNED TO OUR GOD.

BILLINGSLEY, MADGE BIGNERSister of June B. Calkins of the St. DominicChapter of New Orleans, LA Thursday,November 23, 2006.

We Pray for all our deceased sistersand brothers called home to Godbearing the sign of faith

ST. MARTIN de PORRESTHIS COLUMN IS RESERVED FOROUR DOMINICAN BROTHERS ANDSISTER WHO ARE ILL AND HAVEREQUESTED PRAYERS.

We pray for all who are ill and inneed of healing and comfort for bodymind and spirit.

BRO. TIMOTHY WRINN, OPBorn April 28, 1925; died Wednesdy, Au-gust 9, 2006.

SAINTS’ CORNER

“It is easy to feel drawn to good,healthy people who have pleasantmanners, but that is only naturallove and not charity. A motherdoes not love her sick, deformedchild because he is lovable, but be-cause she is his mother, and wemust pray the Holy Ghost to putinto our hearts that selfless devo-tion which nature has put intohers.”

ROBERT BELLARMINE

Each month, a new quote fromthe saints will appear in thisplace. If you have a favoritequote from one of the manysaints or blesseds, please sendit in.

McDONALD, ROSEMember of St. Dominic Chapter in N.O.Died July 21, 2006

19

LUMINARIA is published quarterly by the Lay Dominicans of the Southern Province of Saint Martin de PorresEditor: Wayne Andrews

Editorial Board: Lou Jordan, Jo Ann Cotterman, Jim Brown, Cynthia Donnelly and Mark WrightCo-ordinator of Bulk Mailings: Theo George

LUMINARIA MAY BE REPRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED FREELY

STUDY PRAYER COMMUNITY MISSION/PREACHING

Southern Dominican Province1421 North Causeway Blvd. Suite 200Metairie, LA 70001RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

SUBSCRIPTION FORM Name: _____________________________ Do you require a:

Address: ___________________________ ____ Print version

City, State, Zip: _____________________ ____ PDF version

Telephone ( )______________________ (Optional)

If a PDF version is acceptable, we will need your email address. To view a PDF format, visit www.adobe.com to download Adobe Reader 5.0 or higher.

Note: PDF versions will be in color and the print versions will be in black and white. Your email address: ______________________________________ Please return to: LUMINARIA 1419 Watts Ave. or to: luminaria@infodat-llc.com Katy, TX 77493

IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO, PLEASE FILL OUT AND RETURN

Non-Profit Org. PAID Metairie, LA Permit No. 647