Caldwell University
June 8, 2008
Students Attend Dominican Preaching in Action Conference
Caldwell, N.J., June, 8, 2017 – Caldwell students attended the Dominican National Preaching in Action Conference, a program of the Dominican Youth Movement USA at Molloy College in Rockville Center, New York in May.
The program focused on Dominican spirituality and the life of Saint Dominic. The group learned about the Dominican pillars, the Dominican family and preaching through the signs of the times, service, arts and prayer. āIt was a great way for students to learn more about the roots of Caldwell and to bring this fire back to campus and share with their peers,ā said Colleen OāBrien, Caldwellās director of campus ministry. Thirteen Dominican colleges and universities were represented providing an opportunity for students to interact with those from other institutions. Caldwell student Brooke McPherson said she made ālasting bondsā with many of guest preachers, mentors, and attendees.
The students took part in a day of service at different sites with children or immigrant women or on a sustainable farm. McPherson volunteered at the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityvilleās Opening Word ministry where immigrant women are taught English and computer skills. āI truly will remember these strong, compassionate women for the rest of my life,ā said McPherson. She said they were able to find a way around the language barrier and spent a long time talking about the difficulties of learning a new language and what it is like ātrying to make it in a world that doesn’t always want to see you succeed.ā
The students were split up into āhome groupsā which they met with each night to share and reflect on the dayās events. At the end of the conference, students were charged with setting a group goal and a personal goal. The Caldwell group chose to facilitate a boxtown event in the 2017-18 academic year to raise awareness of homelessness in the Essex County area. They also look forward to increasing interaction with the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell.
The others who attended are: students Maria Lesniewski and Devin Lattuga and recent graduate Olivia Lewis. In addition to OāBrien, Marissa Haynes, associate director of student engagement, was a Caldwell chaperone.