The Dominican Sisters of Hope will temporarily suspend public programs at The Center at Mariandale as of Monday, March 16. This includes Saturday liturgies, programming, and spiritual direction at The Center at Mariandale.
As of this writing, we have no known cases of COVID-19 amongst our staff or members of our congregation, nor in anyone who has visited the Center in recent days. However, we believe that as a congregation and a Center committed to providing spiritual care and a voice of Hope to all, and especially to those most vulnerable, we must be willing to move in this direction for the good of the wider community.
We ask you to join us in praying for all those suffering from any kind of illness, especially those most vulnerable, and all those who care for them. We also invite you to join us in virtual community at this time. If you would like to become involved with virtual programming –prayers, presentations, conversations, listening sessions, etc.– please fill out the form here.
Let us pray these words from Pope Francis:
Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.
Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.
Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.
Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.
Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.
Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.
Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.
Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.
Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.
Jesus Christ, heal us.