2016-2017 CDN - We Have Arrived!

Welcome to the launch of the 2016-2017 Collaborative Dominican Novitiate (CDN) Blog! As I reflect on the past month, I can’t help but to be filled with sentiments of excitement to embark on this exciting journey. After much anticipation, our arrival to the CDN and the beginning of our Canonical Novitiate is here!


I echo the shared feeling of my community of gratitude for the vast words of love and prayers from so many sisters, associates, friends and spiritual friends.  As we begin our CDN Adventure and our narrative through this platform, we considered it important to introduce ourselves briefly in what we will call – One Minute with the 2016-2017 CND! Following our brief introductions you will find some pictures of the August highlights!

Katherine Frazier
Home Town: Ft. Wayne, IN
Birth Day: June 13
Professional Background: Archaeologist/Campus Minister
Fun Fact: I once rode on a pig.

My name is Sr. Katherine Frazier. I was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as the daughter of a pig farmer and a journalist. I went in a different direction than my parents, and I studied archaeology before becoming a campus minister.

I became a candidate for the Adrian Dominican Sisters on August 8th, 2015, and, a year later, I was received as a novice. I have found so many graces on my journey with the Dominican Order, whether meeting my sisters in the Dominican Republic or the students at Dominican high schools from all around the U.S. and beyond at the High School Preaching Conference.

Now, I’m at the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in St. Louis, and I look forward to all that this year holds. In my spare time, you’ll most likely find me reading a fantasy novel, but you’re also likely to find me writing. I also love to sing, dance, listen to music, and to take long walks.

Ana Gonzalez

Home Town: El Paso, TX

Birth Day: August 4

Professional Background: PR/ Communication

Fun Fact: My theme song is "Golden" by Jill Scott.

I was born in Mexico City, and throughout my childhood, I was fortunate for the experience of my Mexican heritage and enjoy mi familia.  In 1989 the family migrated to the border community of El Paso, Texas, making it my home and the place where I expanded my roots. 

I was blessed to attend Loyola University in New Orleans for my Bachelor Degree.  It was during this time that I met the Dominican Sisters, and my vocation seed was planted.  After college I worked in Public Relations; and with a pressing need to give back, I volunteered and was active in my community, yet I felt like I was not doing enough. 

Through a series of experience and “nudges”, I felt God’s invitation to discern religious life with the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

 I loved my experience as a Candidate in New Haven, CT, and I am eager to continue my discernment and grow as a Dominican with my CDN Community

Margaret Uche

Home Town: Sugar Land, TX

Birth Day: May 5

Professional Background: Biologist/Nurse

Fun Fact: I enjoy walking and embracing the beauty of God’s creation and love to read.

I am originally from Nigeria, where my parents were crops and flocks farmers.  After graduating high school, I came to the United States and pursued my college education. Interested by the sciences, I studied Biology and worked in a testing laboratory, but it was not my life’s passion. 

I needed more interaction with other people and felt the need to minister through my work. 

I then went back to school and got a bachelor’s of science in Nursing and love my ministry of caring for the sick and suffering.

Through my mission I show God’s love. While ministering, I realized God was calling me to religious life, hence, I was drawn to the charism of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. 

In 2014 I was welcomed as a Candidate in New Haven, Connecticut, and this past July I was received as a novice.

I look forward to continuing this journey through the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate and be transformed by God’s grace. 

Joye Gros, OP                                      

Dominican Sisters of Peace

Home Town: Memphis, TN

Birth Day: September 17

Fun Fact: Visited five National Parks this past summer.

Joye is a Dominican Sister of Peace.  She is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, where she first met the Dominicans.  She was attracted to the Dominicans by the peaceful joy, passion for mission, and a connection of deep faith and life she saw in the sisters. 

She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Education, a MRE from Seattle University and a D. Min from the University of St. Mary of the Lake.

Most of her ministry has been in some form of education and/or formation.  Joye served in congregational leadership for 13 years.  She has participated on various boards and is currently on the national board of the Religious Formation Conference. 

Joye is beginning her 7^th year as Co-Director of the CDN.  She finds it a profound and sacred privilege to journey with those discerning the call to Dominican life.  Feeling blessed by her call and commitment, she wants to pass on the gifts that have been given her. 

Megan McElroy

Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids

Home Town: Royal Oak, MI

Birth Day: July 5

Fun Fact: Spent three weeks this summer with the nuns of the Order of Preachers in Squamish, British Columbia.

Megan was born and raised in Royal Oak, Michigan, and joined the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids in 1988. She credits her years in religious life for teaching her a deep trust that “God knows what God is doing.”

She was a novice at the CDN when it was located in Manchester (1989-1990) and has very fond memories of the gift of that year. It was in that experience that Megan became deeply rooted in the Dominican Family and discovered a love for preaching. Hoping to graduate in May, 2017, she is currently writing her thesis for her DMin in Preaching, focusing on the preaching of the nuns of the Order.

In addition to preaching, Megan enjoys golfing, walking, playing cards or board games, and movies. 

Her hope for this year is that the novices and co-directors will discover more of who God continues to create them to be and to grow more deeply in their love of Dominican life and their commitment to the preaching mission of the Order.

Welcome to the CDN and Blessing of our Home:

  

       

Orientation and Activities at the Aquinas Institute:

   

     

Poetry Reading with Paul Murray, OP:

    

  

Fun Around Town!