Month: July 2011

Monastic Theological Studies Program 2011: Scripture–Psalms

We\’ve been having a wonderful week of Scripture classes–focusing on the Psalms–with Sr. Barbara Green, O.P.

 The students, with Sr. Anna Marie (Elmira) in the background


Sr. Barbara is a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic, Congregation of the Most Holy Name (San Rafael Dominicans), from 1964 to the present. Sr. Barbara has been teaching at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in California for twenty years. Before that she taught religious studies at Dominican College in San Rafael and was responsible for their Humanities Program.

 
Sr. Mary Giuse and Sr. Joseph Maria (Summit, NJ) listen intently

 Sr. Barbara is a dynamic teacher who captivates the class and draws the students into the exploration of the Psalms! We have been learning both techniques for analyzing Psalms and also their spiritual interpretation. It\’s fantastic!

Sr. Barbara lectures while Sr. Mary Dominic and Sr. Mary Amata (Summit, NJ) take notes

The students will each choose a psalm to analyze, critically and spiritually, and then present it to our class next year in seminar (as we are doing this year with our philosophy and theology from last year–pictures are coming!). Sr. Barbara has certainly made our task easier by giving us tools and at the same time more difficult by opening for us the complexity of the Psalms! But the Psalms are an essential part of our life, so we\’re delighted to have this opportunity to deepen our understanding.

Farewell to Father J.D. Logan

Our chaplain of three years, Fr. John Dominic (or J.D.) Logan, O.P., is moving on to a new ministry in Ponchatoula, LA. We are sorry to see him go!

Father J.D. came for a six month trial period–three years ago–and we have enjoyed having him as our chaplain. We were inspired every day by his homilies and Masses. 
Fr. J.D. celebrating Mass for us during Lent
On a historical note, Father J.D. is probably the tallest chaplain we have ever had! He is 6 foot 7 inches tall! 

Dear Father J.D., we wish you well in your new ministry! Please know that we keep you always in our prayers!

Fourth of July!

We\’ve just started the second year of our Monastic Theological Studies Program, bringing together sisters from Dominican monasteries around the country–well, from Michigan and New Jersey, and our professor this week came from California. More about that later, though! Today we celebrated the 4th of July. We had classes in the morning–but we couldn\’t let the 4th of July pass by without having our traditional flag raising and picnic!

Sr. Bernadette Marie and postulant Thuy raise the flag with a little help from Sr. Mary Margaret while Sr. Mary Thomas looks on
Hats are a good idea in the East Texas sun! Sr. Mary Christine, Sr. Maria Teresa (Summit, NJ), Sr. Joseph Maria (Summit, NJ) and Sr. Mary Dominic leave the flagpole area.
Happy Birthday to Sr. Mary Lucy, who celebrates her 87th year today!!