Letters

Religious life

Barbara Chigwidden

Contents - Apr 2006 - Buy a copy now Editorial: New cardinals: Benedict XVI signals his intentions - Michael Gilchrist Conscience: Dissenters' appeal to Rome 'a real hoot' says Cardinal Pell - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Books: Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church EarthSong: Green Christianity or a new paganism? - Michael Gilchrist Salesian Missions: Cardinal Pell visits East Timor - Michael Lynch SDB Creation: Intelligent Design and the war against God - Stephen Hitchings The Domestic Church: The Christian Family Movement: re-evangelising through families - Leslie Sammut Has just punishment had its day? - Fr Matthew Kirby 1973 Decree: A Fourth Rite of Reconciliation for Queensland? - AD2000 Music and Culture: Benedict XVI, Mozart and the quest for beauty - Mark Freer Letters: Religious education - Saskia Ebejer Letters: Action needed - Kevin McBride Letters: New Age - Yana Di Pietro and Magenta Ray Letters: Translations - George Simpson Letters: National suicide - Greg O'Regan Letters: Anti-life politicians - Robert Bom Letters: RU486 - Brian Harris Letters: Courageous example - Arnold Jago Letters: Inclusive language - Ottavio Kos Letters: Overseas priests - Peter Gilet Letters: Leadership needed - Tom King Letters: Church of England - Jim Turley Letters: Religious life - Barbara Chigwidden Books: Swear To God: The Promise and Powers of the Sacraments, by Scott Hahn - Jacinta Cummins (reviewer) Books: Mother Angelica, by Raymond Arroyo - Stephen Hitchings (reviewer) Books: Fr Martin D'Arcy: Philosopher of Christian Love, by H.J.A. Sire - Michael E. Daniel Events: Holy Week 2006: Classical Roman Rite in Melbourne Books: Stimulating reading from AD Books Reflection: The redeeming Cross: at the centre of Christian faith - Cardinal George Pell

I was most interested in the well-written article by Tracey Rowland (March AD2000) on the Dominican nuns in Nashville, Tennessee. Whilst I applaud the increase of vocations to this religious community, I was puzzled by the idea that American Dominicans would be invited to set up a religious community in this country and that Australian girls often have to go overseas to pursue their vocation to the Dominican Order.

Has it been forgotten that we have Australian Dominicans living in Ganmain, NSW, who follow the same rule as the Nashville Dominicans? These heroic women, completely trusting in the Providence of God, have founded a community in our tiny town. They set an example to all of prayer, devotion, simplicity of life and total self-giving.

If there are any girls out there who think they have a vocation to Dominican life, why not give our own 'home-grown nuns' a try?

BARBARA CHIGWIDDEN
Ganmain, NSW

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 19 No 3 (April 2006), p. 16