Sister Mary Lucille
Janowiak, OP

Jubilarian 2025 – 70 Years a Sister

Prayer Ministry

Pray for decrease in human causes of climate disruption.

70th Jubilee Reflection

 

“God creates the World by empowering the World to make itself.”    ~ Elizabeth A. Johnson, SSJ

Giving praise to God, I am filled with awe as I continue to grow in awareness that I am part of God’s intricate and integral community of creation! That awareness has evolved thanks to the nurture, love, challenges and support given by Mother Earth, my parents and family, my Community of Dominican Sisters and friends I have made along the way.

I savor the new life unfolding within and around me as I live the four Dominican pillars at this stage in my life.

  • Engaging with committed companions in community.
  • Discovering opportunities for learning and continued study.
  • Deepening in faith through contemplative and liturgical prayer.
  • Participating in mission through service according to my capacities.

My deceased classmate Ardeth Platte would say, why would not everyone want to become a Dominican Sister?

Throughout my journey, I have served in education, parish ministry, and environmental advocacy—each for approximately 20 years. Today, my commitment continues through social justice advocacy, involvement with Sight Seers (resources for people living with visual impairments), Sisters and Seekers, and Together West Michigan (a network giving voice to the people.)

Accompanying my joy is sorrow for the suffering in our times. I witness the erosion of our country’s democratic institutions and the suffering it brings. In these troubling times, I reflect on our God-given empowerment and ask: How will we use it so that all God’s creation may thrive?

Sr. Lucille leads members of the Wild Ones River City on a tour of the Prairie Habitat at Marywood in Grand Rapids Michigan. Learn more about the Prairie Habitat by scrolling down to view stories on our blog.

Sr. Lucille leads members of the Wild Ones River City on a tour of the Prairie Habitat at Marywood in Grand Rapids Michigan. Learn more about the Prairie Habitat by scrolling down to view stories on our blog.

Preaching and teaching takes all forms. Here Sr. Lucille preaches from a sidewalk in downtown Grand Rapids. Her sign reads Violence begets Violence.

Preaching and teaching takes all forms. Here Sr. Lucille preaches from a sidewalk in downtown Grand Rapids. Her sign reads Violence begets Violence.

Sr. Lucille is a consistent presence maintaining the Prairie Habitat at Marywood. Here she teams up with Sisters Roxane Dansereau, Vera Ann Tilmann, and Joan Thomas.

Sr. Lucille is a consistent presence maintaining the Prairie Habitat at Marywood. Here she teams up with Sisters Roxane Dansereau, Vera Ann Tilmann, and Joan Thomas.

Sr. Lucille is passionate about the environment and enjoys teaching at the Diocese of Grand Rapids Catechetical Conference and beyond.

Sr. Lucille is passionate about the environment and enjoys teaching at the Diocese of Grand Rapids Catechetical Conference and beyond.

Sr. Lucille also lends her time to The Sight Seer, a non-profit that provides audio access of printed materials to those with visual impairments. Beth VanProoyen and Sr. Lucille discuss which books to edit next.

Sr. Lucille also lends her time to The Sight Seer, a non-profit that provides audio access of printed materials to those with visual impairments. Beth VanProoyen and Sr. Lucille discuss which books to edit next.

Sr. Lucille dives into the editing process at The Sight Seer.

Sr. Lucille dives into the editing process at The Sight Seer.

Reflection

Surrounded by growth, challenged to grow; Surrounded by kindness, invited to care; Surrounded by love to offer love.

Through these gifts from so many of you, I find God’s mysterious Incarnation continuing. Thank you for gracing my life with joy, forgiveness, satisfaction and love.

All life on this planet forms one community.

My sense of community began with my loving family of parents, four siblings and many relatives. Soon it widened to include neighbors, friends and schoolmates in the small town of Manistee.

Sensing a call to religious life, the Grand Rapids Dominicans accepted and companioned me for 60 years. They broadened my understanding of community and made me a part of religious women throughout the world. Study, teaching and parish ministry brought me more fully into the larger Catholic Community.

And then in 1999, my communal sense widened even further. Our visionary Sisters and a Sabbatical leave led me to recognize that my life depends on the freely-given services offered by Earth’s diverse species. I’ve come to see that all beings are one family and trace their roots to One, Source of All Being, Who has been with us from creation’s first flaring forth. In this deep time, my deepest gratitude to all.