On December 7th during their 17th General chapter, the Dominican Sisters of Edmonds, Washington voted to merge with the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan.  They were supported by the members of the Adrian Congregation who prayed individually or who gathered in their Mission Chapters or Mission Groups in solidarity with their Edmonds Sisters.   The picture above is of the counting of the votes.  Following is a bit of the journey the two Congregations took to arrive at this merger.  For more pictures of the Chapter click here.

Community Life Workshop: During the Edmonds Assembly this past June, Sisters Maureen Comer and Georgina Luznicky, and a score of others Adrian Sisters, presented information on Community Life, Policies, and Practices of the Dominican Sisters of Adrian. Door prizes and pop quizzes kept us laughing as we explored such diverse topics as budgets and prayer, cars and study, the Ministry Trust Fund, Mission Groups, etc. Although our Associates were invited to join us, most of the information wasn’t particularly relevant to them, so their participation was primarily during socials and meals.

Gathering 2002: Sisters and Associates of Edmonds joined with the Adrian Congregation and other guests and friends for a week of activities which included spirit-filled festivities    and times of contemplation during Gathering 2002, August 3-9, in Adrian, MI. The theme of the week was “Dominican Accompaniment: Gathering Our Word for the World.” Highlights included guest speakers, breakout sessions, discussions, socials, prayer services, eucharistic liturgies, and many opportunities for preaching. During prayer on Sunday, August 4, and St. Dominic’s Day, August 8, we celebrated the passage of new members into novitiate, first vows, and final vows.

Photo above: The gathering of over a thousand in the Fieldhouse of Siena Heights University in Adrian

A highlight in the Edmonds-Adrian process was the presentation by Ursuline Sister Lynn Jarrell and Sister Michele Kopp, OP, on common good. While Sister Lynn presented a canonical and theological framework for exploring the common good, Sister Michele brought the concept to our merger process and engaged all those present in the lived experience of seeking the common good in our discernment together. Sister Michele ended with a question to the more than 900 sisters and guests: Will you join us (Edmonds) in this process of transformation?” As one body, the assembly rose in applause. The enthusiastic response continued as Edmonds Sisters and Associates were called to the stage. As Edmonds members faced Adrians they experienced a passionate welcome in the recognition of the potential to connect as one community. For women of Adrian it was a moment of moving from the written word about the possibility of joining together, to looking at the human dimension of this decision incarnated in the women of Edmonds. Many in both Congregations were struck with the mutual recognition of how much we have in common as Dominicans in search of truth, individually and collectively. Sisters from Adrian commented that it was a powerful opportunity for them to affirm their openness to the merger and their hope that we of Edmonds would find our future and the future of our common mission with them.

One additional response to Sisters Michele’s presentation was the suggestion that Adrians respond individually or as mission groups to questions and invitations she posed. The written questions have been distributed and Adrian members have been invited to share their responses with the Edmonds.

Our congregation also provided exhibits on our three Intercommunity Ministry organizations, our Dominican Reflection Center, our collaborative Here We Are vocation effort, and our history. In addition, Sisters Barbara Matteson and Francine Barber provided a visual and verbal presentation on the history of our congregation to help the members of Adrian come to know us better. Postcards containing pictures and information from each Edmonds Sisters and Associate were in great demand and additional copies have been requested.

Other activities included parties, opportunities for meeting in age and interest groups, a procession to the Adrian Cemetary, and individual connections and visits. The week of the Gathering provided us with a marvelous opportunity to deepen our relationships. For more information on events of the week visit the Adrian website at http://www.adriansisters.org/what.html.  Scroll down to the yellow Gathering 2002 logo.

A further response was the suggestion that Sisters and Associates gather in Mission Groups or other groupings to be with us in common prayer during our Chapter of Discernment and vote on merger, December 6-8. Many Sisters have acted on the suggestion and have advised us of their plans to be with us in various ways throughout that time.

We ask prayers also from you, our friends and families, as we make this important decision for our future in light of the common good for our Dominican and Christian mission.

Mission Groups: In the Adrian Dominican Congregation, the Mission Group is the basic unit of collegial authority. Through members’ participation in Mission Groups they act to further the Congregation’s mission and its participation in the mission of Jesus in their local area. They support and challenge one another for quality of life and ministry, and implement congregation decisions locally. Mission Groups are also one of the places where Sisters and Associates gather to pray, study, provide mutual support, and celebrate.

During this fall Adrian members continue to invite Edmonds members to visit with and participate in Mission Groups. If our December Chapter vote determines we will merge with the Adrian Dominicans, each member of the Edmonds congregation will join a Mission Group in 2003. It is primarily through membership in these groups that Edmonds Sisters will be represented and have voice in the local, regional, and congregational levels of Adrian’s organizing and governing structure. These groups will also provide an avenue for deepening relationships among Sisters and Associates of both communities. Because of our geographical distribution, it is likely several new Mission Groups will be formed in the Pacific Northwest.

Each Mission Group selects a delegate for Adrian’s regionally organized Mission Chapters. Each Mission Chapter elects their leadership in the person of the Mission Chapter Prioress, who in turn participates in Adrian’s Leadership Council. Mission Groups and Mission Chapters also participate in the selection of delegates for the Adrian General Chapter, which elects the central leadership (General Prioress and Council) every six years. In addition, the General Chapter sets priorities and gives direction for the Congregation in living out its Mission.

Symbolic of the welcome to the Adrian Congregation, Sister Kathleen McGrail of the Adrian General Council, embraces Sister Cele Gorman of the Edmonds Dominicans the evening after the vote to merge. 

Sept.-Dec. 2002...Adrian Mission Group Experiences

December 6-8, 2002….Edmonds Chapter on Merger

Jan.-June 2003…………..Continued Mission Group Experiences

March 28-30, 2003…Pacific West Mission Chapter

June 14, 2003…Celebration of Merger in Washington and effective Date of Canonical Merger

July 2, 2003………Celebration of Merger in Adrian

Jan. 2004-Dec. 2005………...Ongoing Incorporation

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