St. Mary Sisters

[dominicansoul]

A dear close personal friend of mine from my previous community, left that community to start a NEW ONE in Bismarck, ND: 

 

https://www.stmarysisters.org/

 

IF anyone is interested contact Sr. Mary Joseph.  And she's pretty cool and devout and orthodox and everything you want in a Superior/Formatter, so spread the news... 

[GraceUk]

Its a bit ambitious to be building  a house for 200 sisters if the organisation has only  just  been founded.  How many members are   there at present.  Still I hope its a success. 

[PaxCordisJesu]

Is she from the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist by any chance? her habit appears identical

[underatree]

I’m curious as to how their life differs from that of Ann Arbor or Nashville. Any insight, DS?

[Yvonne]

Do they have an age limit? Does anyone know??

[dominicansoul]

On 10/22/2021 at 11:55 AM, GraceUk said:

Its a bit ambitious to be building  a house for 200 sisters if the organisation has only  just  been founded.  How many members are   there at present.  Still I hope its a success. 

BE AMBITIOUS! St. Dominic was!  :D 

It will probably take years to even get the money to build it, but if God wants it... well, we shall see... 

On 10/22/2021 at 8:34 PM, PaxCordisJesu said:

Is she from the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist by any chance? her habit appears identical

She was postulant #2 from the very first group ever at the DSMME.  She has been formed and taught well, now she's going off to build another holy community... 

 

Most Dominican habits are identical because, well, they all use the same pattern, but yes, it's her old habit... :D  

On 10/23/2021 at 7:08 PM, underatree said:

I’m curious as to how their life differs from that of Ann Arbor or Nashville. Any insight, DS?

There are slight differences, but most of it is pretty much the same as Ann Arbor.  

13 hours ago, Yvonne said:

Do they have an age limit? Does anyone know??

Probably the mid-30's.  But exceptions can be made.  

[dominicansoul]

On 10/23/2021 at 7:08 PM, underatree said:

I’m curious as to how their life differs from that of Ann Arbor or Nashville. Any insight, DS?

I also want to add that Bismarck is much colder than Ann Arbor.  So, there's that 

[GraceUk]

Why does somebody  feel the need to found a new community which is nearly  exactly the same as the original one. Is it so they can be in charge. Genuinely puzzled as to why. Even the  same habit. Its cheeky I think.

Edited October 25, 2021 by GraceUk
Typing errors

[dominicansoul]

She felt called, there was a need, so she went.  Cheeky or not, if its from God, it will prevail.  I don't necessarily think new foundations need to be radically different from previous communities.   If the model works, replicate it. 

It's going to eventually be the Saint Mary Dominican Sisters when it gets to the right stage, so... a Dominican habit is what she needs to be wearing.  Dominican habits are the same.  Nashville and Ann Arbor are the same exact habits except for the veil and the necklace.  So... not too puzzling in my opinion...

Sisters of Life have the same exact habit pattern as well except for the obvious color differences... 

[dominicansoul]

In my humble opinion, how blessed we would be if several of these convents popped up everywhere!  Please, put one in my backyard, Lord!    I would love praying there with Sisters! 

Even if a Sister "wanted to be in control" like you hypothesize, God can still use her for His wondrous deeds.  None of us are perfect, but yet, He still uses us to fulfill His will... Godspeed to this community I hope and pray for it's perseverance!  

[Nunsuch]

Most new communities do not survive, of course. CARA research demonstrates this pretty convincingly, as does history. 

To seek funding for a huge (200-person) "motherhouse" before something even has canonical status is pretty unrealistic, I think. I can't think of any congregations which did that, historically. I'd be cautious. 

There clearly doesn't seem to be a new charism here, which at least traditionally was the most legitimate reason for a new community. I realize that many communities are founded for purely instrumental reasons, but is this necessary? Is there a Catholic population in Bismarck that can sustain such a group? Why not just send sisters there from an extant congregation?

A very many unanswered questions. 

[HollyDolly]

 Well there may or may not be  enough Catholics there. Better to start small, then work your way up. Also, look up the Diocese of Bismark. There is also another new community there, the Servants of the Children of Light, and yes that's the name and yes it is a woman's group. You will see if you Google it the Bishop's declaration about it. I'm not starting any community, but if I did,  the name might be Handmaids of Jesus Our Shepherd, Good Shepherd being  the parish i belong to. Odd name to me.Also, there is an order from India of men and women , the Brothers and Sisters of Christian Science.You can Google that one too.

[Sponsa-Christi]

I basically agree with some of the concerns about a brand-new community, especially a brand-new community that is doing this kind of ambitious fundraising.

But, even while I believe in being cautious, sometimes the Lord really is calling someone to start a new community. The Dakotas are an area of the country with their own unique cultural needs. So, for example, I can see where there may be a real call for a Dominican teaching congregation with a particular charism for serving Catholics in a way uniquely suited for a distinctively rural life. 

If this is the case, though, I wish they would talk about this on the website! I'm curious to know about the story of their founding inspiration, what makes them different from other Dominican communities, how many members they actual have (and maybe what their stories are), etc. But most of what's on the present website is just generic information about religious life in general. 

Also, @dominicansoul, can you PM me? I actually have one very specific question about this community from a canon lawyer's perspective. 

[JHFamily]

3 hours ago, GraceUk said:

Why does somebody  feel the need to found a new community which is nearly  exactly the same as the original one. Is it so they can be in charge. Genuinely puzzled as to why. Even the  same habit. Its cheeky I think.

Probably for one of the same reason that the Ann Arbor Dominicans got their start. A community gets soooo big that the question must be asked, "Is God desiring another community?"

I understand that this is a foundation of Ann Arbor, so it's a natural development.

Edited October 25, 2021 by JHFamily

[Nunsuch]

1 hour ago, JHFamily said:

Probably for one of the same reason that the Ann Arbor Dominicans got their start. A community gets soooo big that the question must be asked, "Is God desiring another community?"

I understand that this is a foundation of Ann Arbor, so it's a natural development.

But Nashville wasn't that big--it's still only around 250. I do think in this case, Mother Assumpta had difficulty going back "into the ranks," as it were. 

[dominicansoul]

2 hours ago, JHFamily said:

Probably for one of the same reason that the Ann Arbor Dominicans got their start. A community gets soooo big that the question must be asked, "Is God desiring another community?"

I understand that this is a foundation of Ann Arbor, so it's a natural development.

This is autonomous from Ann Arbor.  

[Luigi]

In the pre-Vatican II era, there were some 30 congregations of Dominican sisters in the United States: Sparkill, Newburgh, Caldwell, Sinsinawa, etc., etc., etc. They varied in size from small (100 or so) to huge (a couple of thousand?). Most of them have dwindled considerably, some have merged - we all know that. 

The Ann Arbor and Nashville Dominican sisters are growing. If they send out "new shoots" - officially or unofficially - it's really just the same process that was used in the past. This could be based on the size of the 'mother' congregation - it's hard enough to keep track of everyone, her education, location, assignment, age, health, and so forth, although computers can help with all of that. But if spiritual formation or community-building or interpersonal relationships require a lot of face-to-face time, then maybe it's better to keep a congregation smaller rather than keep growing to 2,000 members. 

I do think it would be clearer to announce "a new congregation" than a new order. The charism is the Dominican charism, the ministerial focus could be particular -  rural education, ministry to Native Americans (the Sparkill Dominicans have been ministering to Native American the West for a number of decades) or whatever. 

Also, a lot of pre-Vatican II congregations were established in small dioceses, or at least in the rural areas of larger diocese. The point was to get away from the world and all of its attractions/distractions while the sisters were in formation, or when the sisters needed to recharge their batteries with a stay at the motherhouse. 

Lastly, where a congregation is established has a lot to do with the bishop (as mentioned above). If the bishop of Bismarck is willing to sponsor this new congregation, anyone would grab the opportunity, especially if the bishop can provide land, money, spiritual direction, or actively recommends support of the congregation to the faithful. 

[Mhairi]

Also if anyone is discerning with this community, I am sure its founding sister would be expecting questions regarding its foundation and apostolate and will be more than happy to answer them. Again, we can all speculate but much better to get information from the person herself. 

[Nunsuch]

11 hours ago, Luigi said:

In the pre-Vatican II era, there were some 30 congregations of Dominican sisters in the United States: Sparkill, Newburgh, Caldwell, Sinsinawa, etc., etc., etc. They varied in size from small (100 or so) to huge (a couple of thousand?). Most of them have dwindled considerably, some have merged - we all know that. 

The Ann Arbor and Nashville Dominican sisters are growing. If they send out "new shoots" - officially or unofficially - it's really just the same process that was used in the past. This could be based on the size of the 'mother' congregation - it's hard enough to keep track of everyone, her education, location, assignment, age, health, and so forth, although computers can help with all of that. But if spiritual formation or community-building or interpersonal relationships require a lot of face-to-face time, then maybe it's better to keep a congregation smaller rather than keep growing to 2,000 members. 

I do think it would be clearer to announce "a new congregation" than a new order. The charism is the Dominican charism, the ministerial focus could be particular -  rural education, ministry to Native Americans (the Sparkill Dominicans have been ministering to Native American the West for a number of decades) or whatever. 

Also, a lot of pre-Vatican II congregations were established in small dioceses, or at least in the rural areas of larger diocese. The point was to get away from the world and all of its attractions/distractions while the sisters were in formation, or when the sisters needed to recharge their batteries with a stay at the motherhouse. 

Lastly, where a congregation is established has a lot to do with the bishop (as mentioned above). If the bishop of Bismarck is willing to sponsor this new congregation, anyone would grab the opportunity, especially if the bishop can provide land, money, spiritual direction, or actively recommends support of the congregation to the faithful. 

Actually, the point of many new foundations like this was due to bishops wanting control over the sisters in their dioceses. Autonomy was often imposed without any participation or agreement by the women. It had very little to do with anyone wanting to "get away from it all." There were some cases, of course, where power struggles and personality clashes led to new congregations, particularly when one strong-minded leader was replaced by another with a very different vision.... 

Edited October 26, 2021 by Nunsuch
word correction

[dominicansoul]

12 hours ago, Nunsuch said:

But Nashville wasn't that big--it's still only around 250. I do think in this case, Mother Assumpta had difficulty going back "into the ranks," as it were. 

250 is HUMONGOUS amongst the religious communities in America today.  Sadly, most communities are dying, but there is life in Nashville and it seems to rejuvenate every August. 

I'm not sure what you are saying about Mother Assumpta?  Do you know her personally because I do.  She is still much the Mother figure to me, even more so after I lost my mom a few years ago.  She's always willing and happy to talk to me when we see each other, even when she's surrounded by more important people wanting her attention.   One night I was feeling ever so lost and weary over life and I called her convent and surprisingly she answered.  She talked me through that moment, she didn't give me grief for calling so late.  She took the time to speak to me.  I never once saw an ounce of selfish ambition in her--- every act, every move was toward the Lord.  The founding of the Ann Arbor Doms had nothing to do with any accused weaknesses/personality quirks/imperfections of the humans who founded it.   You need to look more at the CREATOR and less the creature.   God wanted a Dominican community in Ann Arbor, he used four women, (spiritual giants in my opinion), to make it happen.  They would be the first to tell you, who they are doesn't matter, it's the community that matters.  Mother certainly doesn't have any problems going back into the ranks today.  She has been replaced as Mother General.  My good friend Mother Amata Veritas is now Mother Superior.  I can believe wholeheartedly Mother Assumpta is rejoicing...   

 

33 minutes ago, Mhairi said:

Also if anyone is discerning with this community, I am sure its founding sister would be expecting questions regarding its foundation and apostolate and will be more than happy to answer them. Again, we can all speculate but much better to get information from the person herself. 

Yes, if anyone of you reading this thread feels inclined to contact Sr. Mary Joseph because you may be interested in discerning with this new foundation, please do contact her.  If you're just a curious critic, please don't bother her, she is waaaaaaay too busy for that sort of interruption...