MaDonna Thelen is a retired educator dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for high school and college students to develop and practice global service leadership. Throughout her career, she sought to help students engage social justice and active citizenship not only as ideas, but as lived commitments—equipping them to become thoughtful change agents in their communities and the wider world.

MaDonna has a longstanding relationship with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, first as a vowed member and now as an Associate. Her ministries have included serving as Director of Community-Based Learning and Director of the Social Justice and Civic Engagement Minor at Dominican University. Prior to that, she ministered at Notre Dame de Namur University and taught at four Dominican high schools in Madison, Wisconsin, and Chicago, Illinois.

In retirement, MaDonna embraces a full and joyful life—playing in golf leagues, walking her senior dogs, enjoying board and card games, hiking, gardening, and spending time with friends.

Joan Scanlon, OP, was born and raised in the Midwest before entering the Dominicans in St. Catharine, Kentucky. As a Dominican Sister, she embraced the four pillars of Prayer, Study, Community, and Preaching, grounding a lifetime of ministry in both contemplation and action.

She earned degrees in Pastoral Counseling and has served as a professor, campus minister, pastoral counselor, facilitator, and congregational leader. Today, she tutors third graders in reading and math through the Tutor Notre Dame program in South Bend, helping strengthen literacy in local elementary schools. She also volunteers alongside pro bono attorneys in Eviction Court, advocating for those in vulnerable situations.

While teaching at Loyola University Chicago in the 1990s, Joan’s life became closely intertwined with Maureen McGrath, OP, and Brenda Eagan, CJ. Affectionately known as “The Twisted Sisters,” the trio collaborated on retreats and countless shared adventures, sustaining a friendship that now spans four decades.

Joan delights in reading, crossword puzzles, baking pies, and celebrating both her Irish heritage and the rich Dominican charism that continues to shape her life.

Maureen McGrath, OP is a vowed member of the Adrian Dominican Sisters and has faithfully lived her vocation for 60 years. Over the decades, she has ministered as an educator, preacher, retreat director, parish pastoral minister, muscle therapist, and social worker. Today, she brings that same energy and compassion to leading Life Enrichment activities for seniors.

Her ministry has taken her from parish schools in Detroit and Chicago to serving as a chaplain at Loyola University Chicago and Associate Director at Marillac House. She also directed a Catholic Center in Benton Harbor, accompanying an economically challenged community facing violence, addiction, and other barriers to healthy, full lives. She now serves at Holy Cross Village in South Bend, where she continues to walk alongside others with wisdom and joy.

Grounded in a deep belief in the dignity of every person, Maureen strives to live her community’s vision: “Outraged by the injustices of our time, we are sent to Seek Truth, Make Peace, Reverence Life.” In the mission of Jesus, she seeks to be both bearer and recipient of God’s love, and a co-creator of justice and peace.

In her free time, Maureen is often in the kitchen simmering soup, baking cookies, or preparing meals to be DoorDashed to someone in need. She may also be teaming up with Joan Scanlon, OP, to offer a little Compassionate Canine Care—because ministry, for Maureen, always finds a way to be both heartfelt and hands-on.