Thirty-one women and men recently made their formal commitment as associates of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield. Shown here are the new associates with prioress general Sister Rose Marie Riley (top row, fourth from right) and associate director Sister Paul Mary Janssens (top row, third from right).

Thirty-one women and men made their formal commitment as associates of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, during a Mass at the Dominican motherhouse on May 18.

As Dominican associates these people have accepted God's call to embody the Dominican charism, hear and proclaim God's Word, and promote the dignity of all persons. They join the Dominican sisters and other associates in prayer, study, community and ministry. Finally, through their diverse gifts they strive to participate in the mission of the church by putting into action their call to preach the Word.

New associates from the Springfield diocese are: Lige Daley and Tracey Daley, Ss. Mary and Joseph Parish, Carlinville; Janine DesMarteau-Morris, Little Flower Parish, Springfield; Rita Dodd, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Chatham; Esperanza Figueras and Sal Figueras, Little Flower Parish, Springfield; Ronald Kuhn, St. Agnes Parish, Springfield; Lily Marie Albanese Layden, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish; Mary Matticks and Rod Matticks, Little Flower Parish, Springfield; Amy Penne, Forty Martyrs Parish, Tuscola; Marie Pope, Little Flower Parish, Springfield; Gail Saner, St. James Parish, Riverton; and Karen White, St. Agnes Parish, Springfield.

 The new associates from outside the diocese, including other areas of Illinois and Arkansas are: Anabella Armada, Andrew Barrows, Rachel Zamora Barrows, Vicki Buerkett, Joan Burroughs, Mary Ellen Connolly, Marvin Fairchild, Darlene Froehlich, Bonnie Stumm Griffin, Linda Henkel, Susan Kirk, Delores Bede Kutella, Carol Lanier, Bill Lenert, Mary Lenert, Paulette Shea, and Susan Springborn.

The Dominican Associate program is open to any baptized Christian who is age 21 or older. Associates are women and men who are married, single, or widowed, who mutually share in the spirit and mission of the Springfield Dominican Sisters through a now-vowed commitment. They participate in various spiritual, social and ministerial experiences and congregational events.

For more information, contact associate director Sister Mary Paul Janssens, OP, at (217) 787-0481 or visits the Website at www.springfieldop.org .