Around campus and in digital information you may have seen “Dominican Team” and said to yourself, “Who are they and what do they do?” Here is a round-up of what we do, and what we did this past semester.
First and foremost, we are a group of students organized to promote and integrate the four pillars of the Dominican Tradition into activities here at Albertus. Study, Prayer, Community and Service are the Pillars, and our intent is to host and sponsor discussion and activities where the four Pillars can be fostered and explored.
We meet every other Sunday evening, beginning in the chapel for prayer, and then in Deacon John’s Office for our meeting. We develop a focus for each academic year, and this year our focus is our response to Human Trafficking. Our members have participated in the Faculty/Student Justice Committee, one of them being a student presenter for the Human Trafficking Panel in October. Future activities will be held in the spring semester.
Additionally, we promote prayer at school activities, like Saint Albert getting his scarf on Monday of Albert Week. On Tuesday of Albert Week, we had a build an “Al Bear” activity, to remind us of our heritage, and promote community fun and spirit. On Wednesday evening of Albert Week, promoting study, we presented “The Life and Times of Albert the Great,” where four faculty and staff members presented their thoughts and reflections on Albert’s Life, the art of the time of Albert, Albert’s writings, and how Albert is important for us today. On Thursday, the Dominican Team participanted in the prayer service honoring Albert the Great during the visit of the Archbishop of Hartford.
The Dominican Team constructed Christmas tree ornaments that we called “Saint Albert’s Boot,” reminding us of “Boots” the Bishop as he was known. These were given out at the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in December. We also made cupcakes that all found delicious.
Going forward, we are sponsoring an evening on Human Trafficking responses and solutions germane to Connecticut on February 3, 2016. Speakers from DCF of the State of Connecticut, and from Love 146, an organization with a mission to eradicate childhood human trafficking, will present ideas and programs in place, and suggest ways that individuals and groups can respond to this problem. An Alternative Spring Break experience is planned in collaboration with Dominican Volunteers, where students can engage in actual service to the marginalized, while living with those who serve these groups, at a site in New York City. Many other activities and events will be coming, as well.
If you would like to know more about the Dominican Team, please contact Deacon John Hoffman, Coordinator of Dominican Ministries, at hjhoffman@albertus.edu.