Dominicans at convocation seek peace, unity with the world

Published: 2005-05-10

ROSEMONT, Ill. (CNS) -- Members of 24 Dominican women's congregations displayed a spirit of unity with one another and with the world when they gathered in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont for the second national convocation of the Federation of Dominican Sisters USA. Under the theme "One Planet, One People, One Preaching," the meeting offered sisters and associates opportunities to share in liturgy, contemplation and learning, with topics ranging from Pope John Paul II's "theology of the body" and what it means to care for God's creation to the ways Dominicans exercise their charism of preaching around the globe. Sister Sharon Zayac, a Springfield, Ill., Dominican, helped set the theme as the April 21-24 convocation started. Sister Zayac and Sister Diana Culbertson shared a video in which tiny primates, all living on a turtle's back, use up everything they need to live because each seeks to have more than his or her neighbor. In the end, the turtle dives under the water and washes them all away. The impulse not only to imitate, but to try to outdo one's neighbor is hard-wired into people, Sister Culbertson told the assembly. The only answer is to live consciously, Sister Zayac said.

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