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Keeping the Light Shining Bright
Our Program of Formation involves eight years of academic and ministerial training. Throughout all that time our student friars in formation depend completely on the generosity of others and so keep our benefactors in particular at the center of our prayer life. Pleased do ad your own regular donation to our continuing need. We thank you now and will continue to thank you with our prayers.
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Vocation Office
Western Dominican Province
5890 Birch Court
Oakland, CA 94618-1626
(510)-596-1821
Our Dominican School
The Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA offers Masters and other degree and certificate programs rooted in the tradition of the Dominican order and our brother, St. Thomas Aquinas. Faithful to the teaching of Holy Mother, the Church, our school prepares not only young men studying for the priesthood, but also other men and women who will be the leaders of local communities of faith. Please do join in supporting this essential ministry of the Western Dominican Province.
Mission West
The Western Dominican Province 1850-1966
by Fr. Fabian Stan Parmisano, OP
If you are instead looking for the Development Office Newsletter, Mission West, click here. Otherwise,
Welcome to our story! Mission West is the historical account of the foundation of the Dominican friars in the Western United States. These Catholic priests and brothers set out to preach for the salvation of souls and it wasn't without sacrifice, hardship, and even turmoil among the friars. Some will ask, why did you stop at the year 1966? The answer is easy, this story only speaks of the past and not the friars who are alive today. The living will tell their story one day, but for now we hope you enjoy our history, our account of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Chapters available online are in Adobe PDF format.
PrefaceChapter 2: Alemany and Vilarrasa: Uneasy Partnership
Chapter 3: Testing the Waters: Monterey
Chapter 4; Settling In: Benicia
Chapter 5: Brothers In Conflict
Chapter 6: Fin de Siecle: New Horizons
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Chapter 7: The Great St. Dominic's: Monks & Ministry
Chapter 8: Moving Out and Up: Portland and Seattle
Chapter 9: A Province at Last!
Chapter 10: New Foundations: Los Angeles, Berkeley, Oakland, Ross
Chapter 11: St. Albert's, Mid-Century: The Light and the Dark
Chapter 12: Around the Province: Ministry Old and New
Chapter 13: New Ventures: Home and Abroad
Epilogue
Toward the Future
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Mission West: The Western Dominican Province 1850-1966
All rights reserved, copyright © 1995
Western Dominican Province
Oakland, California
