By way of introduction

What this Blog will be about

Dear reader,

Whenever I join a newsletter or a blog, I am always a bit anxious that my e-mail box will be cluttered with messages when I have no time to read them.  I have a suspicion that you, my reader, share in that sentiment. So, I thought it better to list 3 things that you can expect from this blog called Dominican Dispatches.

But before I do that, a quick word on the blog's name. A dispatch is traditionally a report from a foreign country to inform its readers about aspects of that country. Given that I will be writing about my move from Rotterdam in the Netherlands to the city of Leuven in Belgium, I think that the word “dispatch” covers the kind of writing I would like to do: reports on my experiences in Leuven and beyond.

I am also a Dominican friar. So, part of my writings will reflect my Dominican vocation as a preacher of the Gospel, trying to meet people where they are, and walking and talking for a while with them on our lives’ journeys, looking together for truth and happiness, which, I believe, ultimately lies in the mystery that is God.

Ok, now I am ready to say something about what you can expect in the Dominican Dispatches.

1.     Dispatches on Setting up Dominican Religious Life

Here, I will be writing about my experience as a Dominican friar responsible for a new international English-speaking community. I will try to share as much as possible without giving away any personal information about the brothers with whom I live. I also will share some of my experiences in Dominican religious life so far.

2.     Dispatches on Rebuilding a 1970s Monastery

The new community in Leuven will live in a monastery finished in 1971. We plan to make the whole building (basically two big towers) ready for a mission again. This means changing the entire interior of the place. I will report on the works and the thinking behind some of the choices and challenges we face.

3.     Dispatches on my Theological Work and Preaching

Next to being prior at the Dominican house in Leuven, I am also involved as an academic with the faculty of Theology and Religious Studies of KU Leuven. Occasionally, I aim to share some of my more academic writings, lectures, or sermons. These writings may range from political theology and law to current affairs and culture.

Dear reader, thank you for making it to the end of this first posting. I hope I will not disappoint you, and I welcome your feedback as we set out on this journey together. Please keep me in your prayers, and I will pray for you.

God bless,

Fr. Richard