Associates of the Dominican Sisters deepen their baptismal commitment by accepting God’s call in their lives to preach the Gospel of Jesus and to embody the sisters’ charism of preaching the word in the spirit of St. Dominic.  Associates bring the compassion of Jesus to others in their daily lives and share in the mission, vision, friendship, prayer, service, and ministry of the Dominican sisters. The ceremony concluded with the Dominican blessing.

Associates meet yearly to share their faith and spirituality.

The new associates are: Tracy Barnes, Marie Barthelemy, Catherine Bockmier, Kathy Clark, Lynn Connelly, Bonnie Drumm, Mary Pat Espositio, Lynn Freitag, Mary Garcia, Barbara Hillyer, Joanna Huscher, Nancy Kaz, Jacquie May, Jean McKee, Mike McKee, Karen McWard, Nathan Mihelich, Gary Minder, Kim Minder, Maricela Perez, Jane Rood, Michelle Rowe, Terry Shelley, Concetta Smart, Denise Sommers, Claire Stapleton, Patricia Tennery, Graham Thompson, Hati Uy, Joe Uy, Rachel Vega, and Charlotte Wafford.

The new associates attended formation sessions in Aurora, Chicago Heights, Shelbyville, and Springfield. They join 288 other associates who have already made formal commitment.

The Associate Program of the Dominican Sisters is open to any baptized Christian (18 or older), who seeks to share in the mission and charism of the Dominican sisters. For more information, contact Sister Paul Mary Janssens, director of associates, at (217) 787-0481.