History of Project OPUS and the McGreal Center
1982βthe Present
The program of research in American 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ history, Project OPUS, was launched in 1985 at the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Study Center in Chicago. In 2007, Project OPUS relocated to 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½. A brief chronicle tells of its development.
1982
The 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Sisters of Sinsinawa voted at the 17th General Chapter to establish a Study Center and formed a commission to solicit ideas concerning its purpose and location.
1984 April
Report of study commission concerning sistersβ responses; Sister Mary Nona McGreal, OP assigned as coordinator.
1984 ff.
Study Conferences for U.S. 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½s, archivists, historians and congregation secretaries sponsored by Project OPUS and the Parable Conference for 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Life and Mission. 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ friars, nuns, sisters, laity and the DLC supported conferences known as In Our Keeping.
1985 August
91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½s of the United States invited to participate in historical research at the new center, located at St. Martin de Porres Parish, 5082 W. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago. Early responses came from Sisters of Akron, Newburgh, Grand Rapids, Adrian; Friars, St. Albert and St. Joseph Provinces, Laity, 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Nuns.
1985 ff.
Documentary gathering; research for Project OPUS: History of the Order of Preachers in the United States.
1989 ff.
OPUS officially sponsored the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Leadership Conference.
1994
Publication of Friar in the Wilderness: Edward Dominic Fenwick, OP, by Sr. Loretta Petit, OP.
2000
Publication of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½s at Home in a Young Nation: 1786β1865 Vol. I of The Order of Preachers in the United States: A Family History.
2001β2006
Research continues for Vol. II, 1865β1910.
2007
Project OPUS relocates to the Mary Nona McGreal, OP Center for 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Historical Studies at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½, River Forest, Illinois
2008
In Our Keeping Conference resumes β 2008, 2010, 2012
2009
The McGreal Center becomes a part of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½; McGreal Center acquires the archives of The Parable Conference for 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Life and Mission.
2010 to the Present
McGreal Center is the repository for 27 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ family collections.
2011
The McGreal Center hosts the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Archives for the 21st Century: A Family Conversation conference.
2014
βThink Tankβ: formulation of design and topics for Volume II: 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ on Mission.
2014β2019
Research and writing for Volume II continues.
2020
Volume II, Preaching with Their Lives: 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½s on Mission after 1850 is published on November 3, 2020, by Fordham University Press. Fordham University Press to purchase.
2022
Forthcoming issue of U.S. Catholic Historian will be published in the Summer of 2022 to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Women Religious in the United States.