As the Dominican Sisters of Peace close their motherhouse in Akron and relocate to Columbus, joining other Dominican sisters there, Bishop Edward Malesic celebrated a special Mass in their honor on June 19. “We come together today in a spirit of grace and thanksgiving to celebrate the remarkable, rich history of the Dominican Sisters,” said Bishop Malesic. “This community is dedicated to the Dominican charisms of prayer, study, community and service, and the love of God is reflected deeply through their service to God’s people. We also rejoice in a special way for the amazing, positive difference the ministry of this wonderful community of sisters has made in the lives of thousands upon thousands of young and old throughout Akron and surrounding communities for more than 100 years.”
The Dominican Sisters of Peace began in the late nineteenth century as a small group of Sisters who came to Ohio from New Jersey to teach in small towns and country schools. Their work expanded and their numbers grew until they formed a new Dominican congregation in Akron. Their motherhouse – Our Lady of the Elms – was named in part for the beauty of its surroundings, which exude a sense of holiness and peace.
Bishop Malesic said the Sisters relationship with God inspires them to carry out their mission of educating children, caring for the sick, ministering to the poor and marginalized, and preaching the love of God through works of mercy, noting that their congregation’s motherhouse had served as a spiritual center in the community.
While the Sisters are departing, the school they established is thriving; Our Lady of the Elms School will continue its extraordinary, student-centered educational tradition. Our Lady of the Elms is the only all-girls, faith-based school for grades 1 - 12 with a co-ed preschool and kindergarten in the Cleveland Diocese. “Thankfully, we are overjoyed in the knowledge that the school will continue to build on the foundation set in place by the Sisters so many years ago,” the bishop said.
“For me, this moment is bittersweet, for our diocese is losing a treasured group of consecrated religious women,” said Bishop Malesic. “But my sadness at their departure is assuaged by the realization of their tremendous and lasting contribution to the faithful of the diocese and our entire community. The Sisters’ ministry here will never be forgotten.”