SINSINAWA — Major changes are taking shape at Sinsinawa Mound.
The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa are in the process of updating and reallocating space in the Stone and Convent Buildings for future use by the congregation as a senior living community and event center. The Sisters are negotiating with Tricon Construction Group to renovate buildings.
The Stone and Convent Building renovation will include installation of geothermal heating and cooling systems, aligning with the congregation’s commitment to ecological and economic responsibility outlined in Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical.
Sinsinawa Book and Gift Gallery will remain open for business at its current location and offers products from Sinsinawa Bakery both online and in the store Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The storefront will serve as the entrance to Sinsinawa Mound Center while renovations in the Stone and Convent Buildings are underway.
The Sinsinawa Dominicans are negotiating an agreement with Roux and Lucia — a new deli and bakery in Dubuque, Iowa, set to open in the spring of 2024 — that would allow the congregation to continue offering Sinsinawa Bakery items in the new year after bakery operations cease due to renovations.
Sinsinawa Mound Center is temporarily discontinuing its retreat and event offerings to the public beginning this November until 2025.
Queen of the Rosary Chapel, Sinsinawa Art Gallery, and exhibit areas are no longer available to the public because the congregation is in negotiation with Tricon.
The congregation is renovating St. Clara Chapel in the Academy Building for use as a worship and gathering space for future groups. The renovation also includes relocation and expansion of the Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli and Sisters’ Heritage exhibits to the Stone Building, which was constructed by Father Mazzuchelli in 1844.
“We are excited about the future possibilities to partner with others to share in our legacy of responding to the needs of the area,” said Sr. Christina Heltsley, OP, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa.
“Change can be challenging but also provides an opportunity for improvement and growth. We will be taking better care of our Earth by installing geothermal systems in our renovated buildings and continuing to provide our beloved bakery products to our friends and neighbors through a more sustainable business model.”
Donations toward the renovation project can be made to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa at sinsinawa.org/donate. Learn more about the work of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa by visiting sinsinawa.org.
The Sisters are part of a worldwide Dominican family, the Order of Preachers. For more than 800 years, Dominicans have continued to preach the Gospel in word and deed. Today, thousands of Sisters, Nuns, priests, Brothers, associates, and laity minister in more than 100 countries around the world.