Our last issue of the Edmonds Dominican celebrates all of us who have formed Dominican Sisters, Congregation of Holy Cross, since its founding. We have created a congregation that has provided leadership in the mission of Jesus to the local Church, to the members of our civic communities, and to the larger world. We have preached the Gospel message through our lives and invited and encouraged others to do the same. As we reflect on the Congregation’s leadership we celebrate the “leaps of faith” that have forged a strong, spirited congregation.

In 1923, a decision was made in the Motherhouse in Brooklyn, New York, to “let go” of the fledgling Province of St. Rose in Western Washington. It was to become an independent Dominican Congregation. The members of St. Rose Province were stunned. Their options were to remain in the west or to return to New York. Many returned. Sister Guilelma Stafford, a native of Aberdeen, Washington, was elected the first Mother General of the new congregation. Neither Bishop O’Dea of the Seattle Diocese nor the members of the motherhouse in New York held much hope that the new congregation would last through the first year.

Four of our Jubilarians, celebrating 70 years of profession and featured in this issue, were among the postulants and young sisters of these early years. They represent for us the sacrifices and hardships that birthed the new community. Women of strong faith and dauntless spirit, getting their education by extension courses and summer classes and by studying after a full day’s work, they took on ministries in education and healthcare. Their sense of joy and adventure was catching. New postulants came to the congregation to embrace a life modeled after Dominic de Guzman and Catherine of Siena.

The challenge of these times was to grow a community and begin needed ministries. Education and study were made priorities. The goal of obtaining certification before entering full-time ministry was set and achieved. This goal was not popular among the pastors and bishops wanting sisters available “now”. But support from Dominican Leadership across the United States and the importance of bringing competence to our ministries held the decision firm.

Over the years, good stewardship by the members, wise financial decisions, and faithful benefactors made a difference in the availability of resources for the congregation. We thank our Diamond Jubilarians and those who came before and after them for leading us with courage to not only survive but thrive as a congregation, and bring us to our next challenging “leap of faith”.

Our Jubilarians 50 years professed, and also featured in this issue, are a testimony of our congregation’s acceptance of Pope John XXIII’s invitation to renewal, to investigate the roots of our traditions, and to modernize ourselves for present day ministries. It took courage, openness to the Spirit, and willingness to move forward on the part of each member, to let go of traditions that had defined our mode of common life and ministry for the 800 years of Dominican history. Studying the documents of Vatican II brought discussion, debate, and experimentation to our ways of living our ideals of community, and to our response to ministry needs. As a united body, members decided to use the Congregation’s resources to promote justice and peace and to speak their truth to the world as one voice.

The wrenching decision to give up our hospitals, the original reason for our sisters’ journey to the west, gave birth to possibilities of expanding ministries through a ministry fund, promoting the directions set by the Congregation. We strengthened our commitment to use our congregation’s resources to promote justice for all.

Members concerned with continuing ministry to the poor or marginalized, founded a Ministry Stipend Fund, through the donation of their inherited patrimony. The fund helps the community support members who work in ministries where they do not receive a stipend for living expenses. It allows the Congregation to engage in ministry in areas that might otherwise go begging.

Edmonds Dominicans soon realized that far more could be achieved by combining efforts with other Congregations. The principles of collaboration and inclusiveness learned in the Vatican II documents were made concrete in the founding of our intercommunity ministries: A Peace and Justice Center; a Ministry Volunteer Program; and an affordable Housing Program, established in collaboration with Mercy Housing. Through these ministries, in which many Congregations decide priorities and work together, we are able to provide leadership in new spheres. We broaden our circle of effectiveness and model a way of sharing our gifts with those of others for the good of all.

The call to modernize for today’s ministries had been answered. Our passion and yearning to bring the Gospel mission into the 21^st Century is alive within us. This yearning to continue the mission brought both hope and energy in the face of aging and diminishing membership. We saw possibility in inviting others to share a vision for the future. Once again a challenging “leap of faith” was presented to our congregation. Once again our challenge was to grow a community and respond to the needs of ministry.

Table of Contents                            Continued