PRESS RELEASE FOR
THE NATIONAL COLLEGE PREACHING CONFERENCE

During the week of May 22nd thirty two students and fifteen mentors from Dominican Colleges, or colleges which have a Dominican presence, throughout the United States gathered at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY for the Second Annual “Preaching in Action” Conference. They came together to learn about the Dominican charism of preaching and how that charism can be incorporated into their lives. They were taught how the Word of God is so vital to the life of all Dominicans and ways in which they can make that Word come alive so it can bring life to themselves and others.

They were introduced to an array of speakers and presenters representing the various congregations and provinces in the Order and were given opportunity to experience themselves as preachers using the mediums of art, dance, drama, and music. Most importantly they were encouraged to fulfill their own Christian mission of preaching the Good News to all they come in contact with. It was a great week and one that will hold wonderful memories for a long time.

Ann Willets, OP began the conference by making the connection between the Dominican tradition of preaching and the participants own call to preach. “We are all preachers, by virtue of our baptism we are all called to spread the good news every chance we get, especially with the way we live our lives.” Nancy Murray, OP. Jim Barnett, OP, and Joe Kilikevice, OP highlighted the charism of preaching as it has been practiced from the earliest days of the order. Jesse Cox, OP, challenged the young people to be aware of the “Signs of the Times’” to move forward boldly and to “do what they have never done before”. Eileen Gannon, OP, our Dominican NGO representative at the United Nations spoke to the students about their responsibility as citizens, and Dominicans, to stay abreast of what is happening abroad and within our own communities. Priscilla Wood, OP and Carol Artery, OP brought the concept of preaching through the arts alive with their musical talents and creativity.

During the week the students are given opportunity to use their creativity, musical talents, and giftedness of voice to prepare the prayer service and liturgies that are a vital part of the conference schedule. This was a very powerful experience for some of the students who do not ordinarily have this opportunity either in their parishes or their colleges. As a result, many expressed the desire to become members of the planning committee for their campus prayer services and liturgies. The creativity was a wonderful thing to behold and the singing voices were a welcomed sound throughout the entire campus.

At the closing liturgy each student is commissioned to go forth and preach the “Good News” to their fellow students. Each college group presents its action plan for the upcoming school year. This plan is decided upon by the student participants and is a vehicle for bringing what they learned at the conference back to their college campuses. They must continue the “Holy Preaching.” So, with a song of joy on their lips and the Dominican spirit firmly planted in their hearts, these young people prepared to leave this conference. In this short period of time they formed community which hopefully will continue after this experience. But wherever they go, whether it is California, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Missouri, Louisiana or New York, they are now a part of our Dominican Family.