Dominican sisters will speak about vocations during their visit to diocese

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DRAPER — The Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist will visit the Diocese of Salt Lake City March 20-25.

St. John the Baptist Parish invited the sisters to visit Utah to promote vocations to the religious life, said Fr. Stephen Tilley, the parish administrator.

While in the diocese, the sisters will visit St. John the Baptist Parish and the three schools on the Skaggs Catholic Center campus, the Cathedral of the Madeleine, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Park City, Judge Memorial and St. Joseph Catholic high schools, and St. Catherine of Sienna Newman Center (see schedule, right).

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist were founded in 1997. Their main mission is to spread the witness of religious life across the country in response to St. John Paul II’s vision for a New Evangelization. The order has more than 140 sisters in 34 states of the United States, and in Canada.

While Catholics in Utah may be familiar with the women religious orders who are present in the state – the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, the Daughters of Charity and the Discalced Carmelites – “there are many more orders out there. This visit is an excellent opportunity to showcase that diversity,” said Fr. Joseph Delka, parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Madeleine and the diocesan vocations director.

Sometimes people might fall into the misconception that the only religious vocations are to the priesthood, “but our Church has so many diverse and beautiful orders,” Fr. Tilley added. “The Dominican sisters made a profound impact on me while I was studying in Rome. I was inspired by their cheerful witness and devotion. I wanted to share their way of life with the people of God in Utah, even if it was just a glimpse.”

Everyone is invited to the events with the sisters that are happening at the parishes.

“I think it would be nice for anyone to come meet the sisters,” Fr. Tilley said. “They are an amazing source of encouragement, hope, and joy! And if you are a woman in Utah that has contemplated religious life, or just have some questions about it, this is a great opportunity to explore God’s call in your life.”

According to the printed invitation to visit with the sisters while they are in Utah, the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist actively share the witness of religious life across the country in many ways, including talks to youth and college students, summer teaching missions and pro-life witness, as well as new ways of engaging the culture.

Visiting with the sisters is also “a wonderful opportunity for young women in our diocese to speak to a group of sisters and ask questions about their vocation,” said Fr. Delka, adding that the vocation to consecrated religious life is “a beautiful witness to Christ that we desperately need. I have no doubt that God is calling young women in our diocese to this beautiful vocation. I hope this event will help open eyes and hearts and encourage young women to say ‘yes’ to Christ.”

Anyone discerning religious life who would like to meet with the sisters during their visit may call Fr. Joseph Delka, vocations director, 801-328-8941 ext. 110, or email fr.delkaslc@gmail.com.

Schedule for the Visit of the ominican Sisters of Mary, other of the Eucharist

March 21

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 300 East 11800 South, Draper

11 a.m. – Mass, lunch and meet the sisters

5 p.m. – Mass, followed by a presentation

March 22

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 300 East 11800 South, Draper

8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Mass, followed by a presentation

St. Mary of the Assumption Old Town Chapel,  121 Park Ave., Park City

Meet with young adults after 3 p.m. Mass

March 23

Various assemblies at the local Catholic high schools

Cathedral of the Madeleine, 309 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City

7 p.m. Meeting with young adults

March 24

Mass and visits to local Catholic schools

St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center, 170 University St., Salt Lake City

7:30 p.m. Meeting with young adult group