St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers in 1216 after travelling throughout Europe, preaching the Gospel and bringing many heretics back to their faith. As he traveled from place to place, he began to draw other men who were attracted to what Dominic was preaching and doing. As they followed him they grew in numbers and he founded a new religious order, the Order of Preachers. His itinerancy, that is moving about from place to place to villages, towns, and cities became part of the charism of the Order of Preachers, commonly known now as the Dominican Order.

 That itinerancy continues in the Order as we Dominicans often are called to move from place to place. After three years at St. Dominic’s Church in San Francisco, I was called to become pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center in Salt Lake City. After five years there, I received the call to come here to St. Dominic’s Church in Eagle Rock Los Angeles. While itinerancy can be hard on us Dominican friars and hard on our congregations, it is also an exciting time, full of new challenges and blessings. I am already aware of the many blessings I have experienced here among you, and happily anticipate many more blessings to come as we work together side-by-side as a Dominican family. Yes, as members of this Dominican parish, you are part of the Dominican family.

  St. Dominic’s feast day is Sunday, October 8. That weekend, his feast day becomes a solemnity in the Church and overrides the regular Sunday readings and liturgy. As a Dominican family, we all will celebrate this grand occasion by having a reception after each Mass the weekend of August 7-8 and hope that you will participate and celebrate with all of us as a Dominican family.

 The Dominican Laity and St. Dominic’s School are very important parts of our Dominican family at St. Dominic’s. The Laity will be present with information about the Dominican Laity Chapter at St. Dominic’s. The school, will participate also. Joining other ministry groups, the parents at the school will provide refreshments after certain Masses and the children will attend Mass in their school uniforms.

 It will be a wonderful time after each Mass to gather together as a Dominican parish family to continue to get to know one another as a community. Community life is another aspect of Dominican charism, and that is why we Dominican friars do not live alone in ministry. We live in community to share our Dominican life. Let us all come together August 7-8 in community to share our Dominican life and to celebrate our patron saint. Let us continue to grow in his charism of community as a Dominican family.

 Mark your calendars. Join us!

 FATHER PETER