Sister Rose Marie Riley was reelected prioress general of the Springfield Dominicans, and four sisters were elected councilors. They are: Barbara Blesse, vicaress general (first councilor); Rebecca Ann Gemma, second councilor; Kathleen Cour, third councilor, and Kathlyn Mulcachy, fourth councilor.

Sister Rose Marie has served in community leadership since 1997 when she was elected to the general council. Her early years of ministry were spent in elementary education in Matteson, Chicago and Peoria. She later served as a pastoral associate in Effingham; administrator of St. Monica’s Maternity Center in Springfield and was the founding director of Poplar House Clinic, an outreach of the former St. Mary’s Hospital in Rogers, Ark. She served as vice-president of mission services for Northwest Arkansas-Sisters of Mercy Health System before her election to the general council.  A native of Pittsburgh, Sister Rose Marie has lived in Illinois most of her life. She made her profession as a Dominican in 1969.

Sister Barbara Blesse has taught at grade schools and high schools in Springfield, Peoria and Chicago, was in campus ministry at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, and at Siena Heights University in Adrian, Mich. She joins the leadership team after serving four years as director of Biblical Study and Travel Programs for Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. A native of Jacksonville, Sister Barbara made profession as a Dominican Sister of Springfield in 1968.

Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma is beginning a second term on the general council. Her ministry has included elementary education and administration in Jacksonville, Philo and Chicago. Sister Rebecca Ann was a counselor for the Rape Information and Counseling Service in Springfield. Later, she served as a social worker and counselor at the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora. A native of Van Nuys, Calif., Sister Rebecca Ann made profession as a Dominican Sister of Springfield in 1984.

Sister Kathleen Cour’s ministries have included elementary education in Aurora, positions as parish director of music and liturgy in Aurora and Decatur, diocesan director of worship for the Diocese of Springfield, and spiritual direction, retreat work, and eco-spirituality efforts for Benincasa Ministries/Jubilee Farm in Riverton and New Berlin. A native of Springfield, Sister Kathleen made her profession as a Dominican Sister in 1968.

Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy’s past ministry includes elementary education in Chicago and Springfield, secondary education in Chicago Heights, pastoral work in La Oroya and Jarpa, Peru, and formation direction in Lima, Peru. A native of Kankakee, Sister Kathlyn made her profession in 1981.