AUBURN – Plans are being made to host two information nights in local parishes for anyone interested in finding out about the Dominican Third Order, also known as Dominican Tertiaries or Dominican Laity.

Tertiaries are lay members of the Order of Preachers. In the local area, Dominicans are recognized as the founders of the parish of Saints Peter and Paul, staffed by priests, brothers and sisters, who taught at St. Peter’s School at its inception.

An information night will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, in the Conference Room of St. Philip’s Parish, Turner Road. Saints Peter and Paul Basilica will be the final site in the Dominican Conference Room at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. Light refreshments will be served and everyone is invited.

The information nights will be hosted by members of a new chapter of the Dominican Laity that is forming in the Lewiston-Auburn area. There will be presentations from members about their reasons for joining the Order of Preachers as lay members, as well as a description of the rule and practices of a tertiary chapter.

Members of the former chapter of the Canadian Province are encouraged to attend.

The chapter will be associated with the Province of St. Joseph, which encompasses New England and much of the eastern U.S. seaboard. There are four chapters of Dominican Laity in Maine located in Biddeford, Casco, Bangor and now in Lewiston. Plans are being made to meet once a month as a full chapter, with formation sessions held separately on a monthly basis.

The ministry of the Dominican Laity revolves around sharing Scripture with the world. Members pray, study, associate together and take part in the mission activity that the chapter feels is needed and appropriate to the local Lewiston-Auburn community.

Discussions are being held about what types of ministries might be offered, including a servant presence at St. Martin de Porres Residence for the homeless, spirituality discussions with those who have abused substances and alcohol, training to offer the Little Rock Scripture Series to the wider Catholic community with a local parish, developing and becoming involved in a Catholic music outreach and presenting a series of one-day retreats on Dominican saints and spirituality in the area.

All Catholics who are interested in reaching out and sharing their spiritual blessings are encouraged to attend the meetings.

For more information, contact Denise Mailhot at 786-3380 or e-mail OPThird4Maine@aol.com.

Copy the Story Link