CONTENTS:
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DASS Annual Meeting and In-Service
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Directional Statement for DASS
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Campus Ministers/Theology Teachers' Meeting
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Billboard
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DASS on Facebook
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DASS Listserves - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
DASS Annual Meeting and In-Service
DASS school representatives gathered for the 2011 Annual In-Service and
Meeting at Our Lady of the Elms Schools in Akron, OH on October 18
th and 19
th.
This year's in-service provided DASS members the opportunity to visit
Crown Point Ecology Center in Bath, OH. The Center, supported by the
Dominican Sisters of Peace, expresses its mission "through sustainable
agriculture and environmental education programs that integrate the four
key principles: community, sustainability, justice and spirituality."
Reflecting on some excellent input from on-site coordinators Sr.
Mariellen Phelps, OP, Christopher Norman, and Kim Evangvelisti, we
conversed with one another about ways that we could encourage our school
communities to live with greater simplicity and mindfulness about our
Earth community. Our day ended with a grand tour of the entire property.
A picture is worth a thousand words!
Directional Statement for the DASS Organization
Members of the Executive Board and the Annual Meeting group spent
considerable time in developing a Directional Statement for the DASS
organization. This final statement received unanimous approval from the
total group:
As Dominican leaders and educators, we seek to promote the
Dominican charism of Veritas (Truth) with its four pillars of prayer,
study, community, and preaching.
Using a collaborative model, DASS encourages all school
communities "to praise, to bless and to preach," engaging in dynamic
interaction and outreach to others, both locally and as a wider
Association. We partner in ministry to ensure the Catholic integrity
and Dominican identity in our schools and to support the leadership
necessary for their ongoing vitality and growth.
Called to preach the Truth with love, we extend the
Dominican charism through our school communities into our many and
varied circles of relationship. Relying on the intercession of Dominic,
Catherine, and all the Dominican saints, we join together in a bold
commitment to strengthen and support Catholic Dominican education across
the United States and beyond. |
Campus Ministers/Theology Teachers' Meeting
Twenty-five people from eight of our Midwest Dominican schools met on November 3
rd
at St. Catherine High School in Racine, WI. The program focused on a
Catholic identity assessment and planning process "Living Our Faith
Today," developed by Dr. Christopher McAtee, Assistant Academic Dean at
the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL. Sr. Barbara
Dannhausen, OP (Sinsinawa) also presented an assessment instrument she
has created for use in our Dominican schools called "Living the Mission:
Key Indicators,"
which is available on our website's
members only section
(use your email address and the password "veritas" to enter, then click
on the "View Documents" link on the left. The indicator is under "Board
of Directors.").
You Never Know What You Might See on a Billboard!
Sr. Jane Meyer "eyed" this billboard on her return trip to Houston from
the DASS meeting in Akron, OH. As mentioned in an earlier bulletin, Sr.
Jane was named one of the Ten Texas Women of the Year. Pictured with
Sr. Jane is the founder of the Houston Dominican sisters, Mother Mary
Agnes, OP.
Find DASS on Facebook!
Please "like" us on Facebook and invite others to find us as well--search "Dominican Association of Secondary Schools."
Join the Conversations our Listserves
We now have four email groups to help you network with other Dominican schools.
Send a blank email with the word "subscribe" in the subject line to one
of the addresses listed below and join in the discussions.
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list-dass-advancement@spdom.org - Advancement: for those in advancement, marketing and development
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list-dass-ministry@spdom.org - Ministry: for those teaching religion or theology or serving as campus ministers
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list-dass-counselors@spdom.org - Counselors: for school counselors and advisors
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list-dass-leadership@spdom.org - Leadership: for school presidents, principals and deans as well as congregation leaders
If you have any technical questions about subscribing to the list, please contact Sheila Wathen, swathen@sjaschool.org.
If you have any questions about DASS, please contact Pat Brady, OP at pbrady8798@aol.com.
