Mission Advancement

& Opportunities

Center for Education

& Spirituality

Prayer

Requests

Living

the Word

Laudato Si'

Action Plan

Receive Our Reflections

Read Our Statements

Reflection for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Proverbs 31:10–13, 19–20, 30–31 • 1 Thessalonians 5:1–6 • Matthew 25:14–30

In this week's reflection, Sister Johnellen, OP, reflects on Jesus' parable of the talents and the call to use the gifts God has entrusted to us. Rather than allowing fear or self-doubt to keep us from serving, we are invited to live with trust, reverence, and confidence in God's presence. Whether our gifts seem great or small, each of us has an important role in building God's kingdom through our daily acts of faithfulness, generosity, and love.

May this reflection encourage you to recognize your God-given talents and use them to share God's goodness in the world.

Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose
Praying blessings for you and your loved ones.

🙏✨

33rd Sunday

Receive Our Reflections

Called to Engage: A Dominican Reflection

on Pope Leo XIV’s Message

Pope Leo: Catholics must not be passive spectators

In a recent article from OSV News, Pope Leo reflects on the responsibility of Catholics amid current events.

In a world marked by rapid change, uncertainty, and deep social tension, Pope Leo reminds us that Catholics are never meant to be passive spectators. The Gospel does not permit indifference. It calls us to see, to discern, and to act. As Dominican women and men — followers of the Order of Preachers — we are entrusted with a particular mission: to read the signs of the times through the lens of truth, compassion, and justice. Our charism invites us to listen deeply, to study carefully, and to speak with clarity rooted in the love of Christ.

To be “engaged” does not mean reacting to every headline or being swept up in the noise of the moment. It means allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our response to the world’s suffering and hope. It means asking: Where is God calling me to bring light? Where is truth needed? Where is mercy waiting to be offered?

We are called to participate — not from party loyalty, but from Gospel conviction. We step forward not with anger, but with courage. We engage not to win arguments, but to build communion. May we be people who see clearly, speak truthfully, and act lovingly. May our presence in the world reflect the Gospel we proclaim. And may our engagement always lead others closer to Christ, who alone is our peace.

Photo: Sister Donna Marie Nicholas, OP

Read the Article

Visit our webpage

Get Your Raffle Tickets

As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary, the Dominican Sisters Conference is proud to partner with Dominican Congregations across the country in presenting 250 Sisters Who Shaped the USA. This special initiative celebrates the lives, ministries, and enduring contributions of Dominican Sisters whose faith, courage, and commitment have helped shape our nation and continue to inspire future generations.

The women we will feature have played a role in our country’s story since the first group of nine women said ‘yes’ to God and followed their calling to Dominican Life in February 1822.From that first group of sisters in Kentucky, to New York, California, and many places in-between, join us on our journey to honor the past and present of Dominican Sisters in the United States.

On this 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States of America,

We, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, affirm our commitment to:

Upholding the inherent right to life of every human being and the dignity of each person

● Embracing the gospel call to love, welcome, and care for all people, especially those who are most vulnerable

● Welcoming immigrants and providing care and assistance to all who reside in our nation, while advocating for comprehensive immigration reform.

● Standing against violence in all its forms

● Dismantling racism in all its manifestations

LCWR Letter to Congress

The following is the text of the letter that will be sent to members of the US Congress with a copy of the LCWR Declaration of Commitment

June 25, 2026

Dear Senator/Representative:

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) represents nearly 300 congregations of Catholic sisters across the United States. Since 1727, we have educated generations of children, cared for the sick, fed and housed those most vulnerable, advocated for human dignity, and upheld the rights to vote, to work, and to access the fundamental freedoms and protections that sustain a just society.

November 16, 2026 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 25: 14 – 30

A man going on a journey . . .Entrusted his possessions to [his servants].
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—
each according to his ability.

Any sermon I have heard on this parable is one of great seriousness. And it certainly ends that way. But to the Jews listening to Jesus, there was also some light-heartedness in it. What we do not understand is the enormity of a talent—it was equivalent to a salary earned over 15 to 17 years of work. Jesus’ listeners could not have helped but smile, if not laugh, at the outrageous amount being entrusted to these servants.

The ability of the first two to double the sum of what had been entrusted to them would also have been astonishing to Jesus’ hearers. The parable turns serious when we come to the third servant who makes no attempt to make an earning from his master’s money.

We are not to concern ourselves with the abundance of the first two, but with the third. What are we doing with the gifts God has given to us? Are we using them to bring about God’s kingdom here on earth or are we simply protecting our gifts? This could make for an interesting conversation with our God.

-Sister Katherine Jean Cowan, OP

Light Through the Years

Our story is woven through moments of prayer, service, and community. These treasured photographs invite you to journey with the Dominican Sisters of Mission Jose across time — glimpses of celebrations, ministries, and daily life that continue to inspire our mission today. As the images turn, may they remind us that God’s grace is present in every season.

The Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose trace their origins to Mother Maria Pia Backes, whose vision and devotion laid the foundation for a community rooted in faith and service. Arriving in San Francisco in 1876 with two companions, she established a congregation dedicated to uplifting the young, the poor, and the vulnerable across the United States, Mexico and Germany. Until her passing in 1925, she nurtured a legacy of compassion, spiritual commitment, and tireless outreach—a legacy that continues to flourish through the Sisters’ mission today.

Archivist: S.M.Catherine Antczak O.P.

We, the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, the Congregation of the Queen of the Holy Rosary, are called to live and proclaim Jesus Christ through evangelizing, preaching, educating, and promoting justice and peace.

In the spirit of St. Dominic and of our foundress, Mother Maria Pia Backes, we witness to this call through our vowed life.

Our prayer, study, ministry, and life in community empower us to participate in the mission of Jesus, especially among the young, the poor, and the vulnerable.

Our Mission Statement

“Mary Magdalen went and announced to the disciples,

‘I have seen the Lord!’” John 20:18

Appearing to Mary Magdalen, Jesus sent her to the community to tell the good news of his resurrection. We, too, are sent to go forth and tell others the good news of God’s love.

The Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, the Congregation of the Queen of the Holy Rosary,

currently ministers in California and Mexico.

Center for Education and Spirituality (CES) Events

GO TO CES WEBSITE

Bible Study & Meditation Resources

Email Sister Marcia

Dear Scripture Companions,

Here are the resources for this upcoming weekend! Blessings to your life!

Sister Marcia

5. Scripture for Life

1. Bible Study

2. First Impressions

3. Lection Divina

6. Scripture Study

4. Letter

Dec. 18, 2026

Dec. 11, 2026

Please join us if you are able on Tuesday for Bible Study at 9:15 and Thursday for Lectio Divina (prayer with the Gospel) at 9:15.