The Dominican Lay Inter-Provincial Council Conference reflected on growth, formation, mission and collaboration among Lay Fraternities in Canada and the United States.
PORTLAND, OREGON — From April 24-26, 2026, leaders of the Dominican Laity in North America gathered for the Dominican Lay Inter-Provincial Council Conference at Aquinas Hall at Holy Rosary Parish in Portland, Oregon.
Held every 18 months, the DLIPC Conference brings together the leadership of the Dominican Laity of Canada and the United States to report on the life of the Lay Fraternities, discuss common priorities and strengthen collaboration in the mission of the Order of Preachers.
Participants included the presidents of the Dominican Laity from the four U.S. provinces, together with one DLIPC delegate from each U.S. province, all present in person. The president of the Dominican Laity of the Canadian Province joined by Zoom.
The provincial promoters for the Laity also participated: fr. John Steilberg, OP, of the Province of St. Albert the Great; fr. James Martin Noble, OP, of the Province of St. Martin de Porres; fr. Augustine Hilander, OP, of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus; and fr. Daniel Cadrin, OP, of the Province of Canada, who joined by Zoom. Fr. Cristóbal Torres Iglesias, OP, General Promoter for the Laity, was also present.
The conference took place at a time of notable growth for the Dominican Laity in North America. Participants reported on the state of Lay Dominican life in their provinces and discussed the rapid growth of Lay Fraternities across the region.
Much of the agenda focused on how best to accompany this growth. Participants shared best practices in formation and mission, considered ways to collaborate more closely across provincial lines, and discussed the prudent use of technology to support communication, formation and preaching.
A significant moment of the conference was the appointment of Mr. John Keenan, OP, president of the Laity of Holy Name Province, as the new DLIPC representative to the International Council of Lay Dominican Fraternities. He succeeds Mrs. Kathy Kendrek, OP, former president of the Laity for the Province of St. Joseph, who served in that role from 2023 to 2026.
Participants expressed gratitude to Mrs. Kendrek for her exemplary service to the Order, her dynamic leadership and her fraternal care for her fellow Lay Dominican leaders, brothers and sisters. They also welcomed Mr. Keenan as he begins this new chapter of service to the Dominican Laity and the wider Order.
The Portland conference gave visible expression to the vitality and communion of the Dominican Laity in North America. Rooted in prayer, study, community and preaching, Lay Dominicans continue to share in the mission of the Order by bearing witness to the Gospel in the heart of the world.
