During a Mass on May 17, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield welcomed 14 new Dominican associates — women and men who have made a personal commitment to accompany the Springfield Dominican Sisters on a life-long journey of prayer, study and preaching. Since 1990 more than 300 other Springfield Dominican associates in the United States and Peru have come to share the Dominican spirit and mission of preaching the Word and witnessing Gospel values.

New associates from the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois are: Sue Brosmith of Our Saviour Parish, Jacksonville; Lori Casson of Church of the Little Flower, Springfield; Mary Kathleen Cory of St. Joseph Parish, Springfield; Carrie Downs of St. Patrick Parish, Girard; Jan Fellhauer of Our Saviour Parish, Jacksonville; Jill Horn of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Chatham; Phil Seck of Christ the King Parish, Springfield; Ed Standley of Our Saviour Parish, Jacksonville; and Joyce Wormack of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Chatham.

Other associates from outside the Springfield diocese are Nancy Armstrong, José Becerra, Cindy Dupczak, Charlene Reimer, and Theresa Sovereign.

The Dominican associate program enhances relationships with the Springfield Dominican Sisters and deepens relationships with God and God's people. Associate candidates engage in a nine-month formation program in which they learn about and discuss a variety of topics and also discern how they will use their talents, abilities and circumstances to serve God in the best way possible.

The Dominican associate program is open to any baptized Christian who is age 21 or older and has a desire to share the Gospel and a passion for enriching his or her faith. For more information, contact Sister Paul Mary Janssens, OP, at (217) 787-0481 or go to the congregation's website: www.springfielddop.org.