Sister Therese Rodriguez, OP

Jubilarian 2025 – 70 Years a Sister

Prayer Ministry

Pray for an increase of vocations to Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids from multicultural communities.

70th Jubilee Reflection

“Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered the heart of man, what God has prepared for them that love Him.” ~ I Corinthians 2:9

“What a blessing, I celebrate my 70th Jubilee with you, my Sisters, my family, and with the Church also celebrating a Year of Jubilee! I am pleased, but surprised that some 70 years have passed since I received the Dominican Habit and made my commitment to God as a Dominican Sister. I praise and thank God for these 70 years, they have been years of much joy and love.

Ever since I can remember, I have been surrounded by love; God’s love, and people who love me. I have experienced great love from my family, many friends and Sisters in community. My family is very important to me; I am the oldest of 15. The seed of my vocation was nourished by my loving and prayerful family. I am not able to join family reunions, nevertheless, several of my siblings have come to visit me here at Aquinata.

I am now retired and have a special ministry of prayer. I have time to pray for the whole world, my family and friends and all the people that ask for our prayers. I also have time to remember the many people and places where I ministered. Wonderful memories of my ministries as Teacher, Chaplain, advocate for migrants and summertime missionary in Panama, bring me great joy and gratitude.

God’s faithfulness and love has given me the energy to be serve with joy throughout these seventy years. I thank God, my family and my Dominican Sisters, that have helped me in my journey for these seventy years.

Sister Therese Rodriguez and Sister Mary Ann Barrett love spending time with young adults. Thank you Aquinas College students for visiting the Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids at Marywood. Come back soon. You are always welcome.

Sister Therese Rodriguez and Sister Mary Ann Barrett love spending time with young adults. Thank you Aquinas College students for visiting the Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids at Marywood. Come back soon. You are always welcome.

Sister Therese enjoys sharing her vocation experience with Catholic youth. Here she is during her service as Vocation Minister in New Mexico.

Sister Therese enjoys sharing her vocation experience with Catholic youth. Here she is during her service as Vocation Minister in New Mexico.

Sister Therese Rodriguez offers a blessing to a patient during her rounds as a hospital chaplain at University New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque.

Sister Therese Rodriguez offers a blessing to a patient during her rounds as a hospital chaplain at University New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque.

Sr. Therese ministered to Sisters at Marywood and Aquinata Hall. Her desire to companion Sisters runs deep as she thoughtfully responds to each Sister's individual interests and needs. Here, Sr. Therese engages Sr. Elizabeth Barilla in a game of catch. "I think it is significant that Sr. Elizabeth still has the energy and the mind to play catch so well at the age of 103! It was wonderful to see her eyes light up during our time."

Sr. Therese ministered to Sisters at Marywood and Aquinata Hall. Her desire to companion Sisters runs deep as she thoughtfully responds to each Sister's individual interests and needs. Here, Sr. Therese engages Sr. Elizabeth Barilla in a game of catch. "I think it is significant that Sr. Elizabeth still has the energy and the mind to play catch so well at the age of 103! It was wonderful to see her eyes light up during our time."

Prayer is at the heart of Sr. Therese's ministry and spiritual commitment.

Prayer is at the heart of Sr. Therese's ministry and spiritual commitment.

Reflection

“Go forth and teach all nations.” ~ Matthew 28:19

“As I watch for the sun rise, I hear God speak: “Therese, just as sure as the sun will rise, I will always care for you and love you!” God’s faithfulness is the spark that gives me energy to follow God’s plan of love each moment of my life in collaboration with my Dominican Sisters and all God’s people. I, too, promise my prayers for you as I continue following God’s Plan of Love with a grateful heart.”

I was born in El Guache, NM on May 10, 1935 to Gabriel and Aniceta Salazar Rodriguez, ten years after St. Therese of Lisieux was canonized a saint.

As the oldest of 15, ten girls and five boys, the seed of my vocation was nourished by my prayerful family, the joyful Dominicans and priests of Holy Family parish.

At the age of ten I received a deep desire “to go forth and teach all nations” all that Jesus had taught me. Matt. 28.19 I followed my call as teacher, chaplain, advocate for migrants, prisoners, and others. I served: as missionary in Panama; at the Ministry for Prayer and Action in El Salvador; Vocation ministry, and Dominican presence for Lay Dominicans in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I moved from New Mexico home to the Marywood Motherhouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2017.

I thank God, my family, my Dominican Sisters, Holy Family Fathers, Capuchin Fathers, family and friends who have empowered me to follow God’s call as a Dominican Sister ~ Grand Rapids for 60 blessed years.

God is good! Good all the time!