Bishop Edward Dominic Fenwick Fraternity
Oak Park, Illinois
Welcome
Our Lay Dominican fraternity is part of the Central Province family, united in prayer, study, community, and apostolic mission. We are dedicated to living out the Dominican charism in our daily lives as lay men and women of faith. Further information about our fraternity’s location, members, and ministries will be added soon.
Thank you for your patience and prayers as we continue to build this page—please check back for updates!
A community of lay men and women living the Dominican way of prayer, study, community, and service.
The Fenwick Fraternity of Lay Dominicans is a community of men and women striving to follow Christ in the spirit of St. Dominic. Guided by the four Dominican pillars—Prayer, Study, Community, and Service—we seek to grow in holiness, deepen our understanding of the faith, and bring the light of the Gospel into our families, parishes, workplaces, and the wider world.
The fraternity was founded about fifteen years ago by teachers and alumni of Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois, whose love for Dominican spirituality inspired them to form a group for lay people. While Fenwick remains part of our story, today our members include a diverse group of teachers, business leaders, medical professionals, parents, and retirees from many different parishes across the Chicago area.
We welcome all who feel drawn to Dominican life. Together, we support one another in prayer, study, fellowship, and service—and we invite you to “come and see.”
Apostolates
Learn about the apostolates and outreach opportunities carried out by this fraternity.
Find Us
Oak Park, Illinois
Meetings
Fenwick High School, Oak Park, Illinois
We meet as a group monthly, typically on the fourth Sunday of the month, at Fenwick High School.
Our meetings begin in the Chapel at 9:00am. We have been privileged to have one of the local/affiliated Dominican Friars say mass for us at the beginning of each meeting. Each Mass begins with Morning Prayer (Lauds) immediately followed by Holy Mass.
After Mass, usually around 10:00am, we proceed to the school library where we conduct our chapter meeting, attend to our monthly formation activity (such as report on a biography of a Saint, listen to a presentation from a chapter member in Formation, or watch and discuss a video) and other discussions, or planning for past, present or upcoming events. Our meeting closes at noon with prayer.
We are also very keen on ministry. Each member has a ministry relationship and from time to time our entire chapter devotes time to a need of one of the members' chosen ministry. We have 12-15 members, but are enthusiastic about growing our membership.
Anyone interested in inquiring about the Bishop Fenwick High School chapter of Lay Dominicans can contact us using the email address below or the Vocations contact form.
Please check us out, and reach out if you have any questions or want to learn more!
Parent and Associate Fraternity Connections
Discover more about our associate fraternity.
Discover more about our parent fraternity.
Get In Touch
Mr. John Planek, OP
Fraternity President
oakpark@layopcentral.org
Promoter of Vocations
Please fill out and submit this form to get in touch with our Promoter of Vocations who will help you discern the best and closest way to get involved.
Contact Vocations
Member Access
Members-only area for the Central Province Lay Dominicans.
