Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt
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Stories of Our Sisters
bring the Charism to Life
Here are Our Stories for May 2008
Yet, it was God’s plan! Accepting it bought peace. After graduation I entered the convent in Blauvelt, NY. In my 47 years as a Dominican Sister God has blessed me abundantly! Ministering in education as an elementary and high school teacher, a high school principal and college campus minister was a joyful and enriching experience.
Ministering to the sick and dying as a hospital chaplain was a gift. My education and pastoral training are utilized now as I serve in a parish.
God’s love and presence have been revealed to me in the people I encounter and the opportunities I experience. How blessed I am to be a Dominican Sister! Following God’s way and letting God lead has filled my life with joy and peace.
Dominican Sisters of Hope
If you ask me how it is that I am a Dominican sister I would have to answer, because of the back wall. At the convent of the Dominican sisters in St. Paul’s parish in Jersey City where I grew up, the convent had a back door with a small back wall. It was here the sisters made time for us. We could ring the bell and whomever you asked for would join you on the back wall to chat; give advice, etc.
Now I know what a chore and interruption that must have been, but we never knew that then. With joy and patience the sisters had time for us. They spent quality time with us.
These women modeled the joyful preaching of Dominic. It attracted me. And so I came. But a deeper question is why I stay. I entered during the time when large numbers were leaving congregations and ours was no different. I entered with 32, five of us remain. I stayed because the call to preach and live community is so compelling and rewarding. Making time for students and colleagues is gospel for me. It is not what I do that excites me; it is what I have been allowed and graced to become. Opportunities to be of service are always opportunities for graced growth. This is not to say that service is motivated by selfish desires to become a better person but rather that service is mutual. It allows for grace for all.
The women I live with also provide both the community a life of service requires and the challenge to be a better preacher. Community is an essential element that feeds my call and assists me in the every day.
So the attraction of joy invited me and the joy of service nourishes me. That is a simple summary of why I cherish being a Dominican Sister of Hope.
Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
“You did not choose me; I chose you.” (John 15:16) I can think of no better way to answer the “FAQ”: “Why did you become a Dominican Sister?” When people learn that I entered at age 38, I quickly add: “I am NOT a ‘delayed vocation’. God is not late.”
I was happily pursuing my teaching career of 18 years, was active in my parish Music Ministry and leader of the Prayer Group. Since 1967 I had been making retreats in Elkins Park, becoming a promoter and a volunteer. I believe I was right where God wanted me
Fifty years later I still am not partial to housework, but have had many opportunities to be grateful. With the help of my guardian angel, saints, and postulant mistress, I persevered in religious life. My journey has led me through training in music to a ministry in teaching children of all ages. After years of teaching, I co-founded Jerusalem House of Prayer. Other ministries include Hospital, Hospice Chaplain, Spiritual Direction, and Reiki. My desire for Jesus has broadened into a desire to love and serve all. We are all God’s children.
I entered as an only child, but now have many brothers and sisters in God’s house. Alleluia!
A Dominican Sister, Congregation of the Holy Cross, Amityville, New York for the past 31 years, I have been involved in various facets of parochial education on Long Island. Currently a Doctoral Candidate – St. John’s University Graduate School of Education , an assistant professor at St. John’s University-College of Professional Studies-Humanities Division and senior adjunct instructor- Mathematics/Computer Science Department, St. Joseph’s College-Suffolk Campus where I am conducting the study for my doctoral dissertation, I stand on the threshold of a life-long dream about to come true.
I aspired to be a teacher since I was four years old. By seventh grade, I wanted to be a math teacher and by 17 a
Dominican Sisters of Amityville
college math teacher. Like so many of my students, and perhaps one or two of my colleagues, I struggled learning math through traditional “chalk and talk” teaching methods. Fortunately, I was blessed with several teachers, one of whom was my aunt and in my Dominican congregation and who, like my mentor, Dr. Rita Dunn, knew and understood only too well, that “there needs to be a match between how the learner learns and the method teaches” (Carbo & Dunn, 1991, p.1).
This being said, everything I need to know about becoming a Dominican and an educator, I learned from kindergarten teachers. Wisdom is not at the top of the graduate school mountain, attaining an Ed.D, but there in their classroom and knowing how I learn best in new and difficult situations. Knowing your learning style empowers you to life a balanced life- learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Each of my teachers encouraged me to sing my own song, to keep it simple, so as to last my whole life long. At times that song will Be Sharp. At other times it will Be Flat. Most of all that song will need to Be Natural! Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear, just sing, sing your song! Think what a better world it would be if we empowered one another to live a balanced life and sing our songs! For all that has been, Thanks! For All that is yet to be, Yes!
The desire to become a sister and a Dominican of Caldwell grew gradually and was fostered by my parents love of each other, their children and their commitment to the Catholic faith. The Dominicans that taught me in grade school were excellent educators; but, more than, that seemed to enjoy what they did.
Both in grade school and high school, I came to know several Dominicans personally and saw how much they cared for one another. So, coupled with the desire to respond to what seemed to be God’s invitation and with the encouragement of family and the witness of the sisters’ lives, I entered the Dominicans of Caldwell, New Jersey on September 8, 1957.
Each year has brought a deepening of the “fit” between the Dominican charism and my personality. By the time our Congregation celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 1981, I could honestly say and own: “I am a Dominican of Caldwell!"
The biggest surprise—reward has been and continues to be God’s faithfulness and unconditional love experienced through the faithfulness and love of family, community members and the persons met through ministries. The occasion of any jubilee or anniversary offers a person the opportunity to look back and see how God has been present all along the way. That “looking back” inspires me to prayerfully say “Thank you, dearest God,” and to move into the future with a happy heart.
Archived
Sisters' Stories
May 2008
(this page is on top of each congregational listing)
Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt
Dominican Sisters of Caldwell
Dominican Sisters of Amityville
Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
Dominican Sisters of
St. Catherine de' Ricci
Dominican Sisters of Hope
My earliest desire to enter the convent was an inner stirring at my First Holy Communion. At fifteen I portrayed a Sister in a benefit play. When the Sparkill OP’s saw the photographs of me, they teased. On a visit to Sparkill I felt at home through the energy of the sisters in the cemetery.
At seventeen my father urged me to attend college. At Oneonta I belonged to Neuman Club where I played organ for Benediction. During Benediction I felt Jesus call to me. Doubts and scruples assailed me. Nevertheless I was determined to test my vocation with the same OP’s who had playfully teased me in my younger years. My parents were not in favor of letting go of their only child, but in her wisdom, my mother suggested that I try it, assuring my father that within two months I would return home to escape the housework.
Eventually, I realized something was nudging me. Of course, “something” was really Someone, and after serious discernment, (“Who, me? A ‘second-career nun’?”), I entered the Dominican Congregation of St. Catherine De’Ricci in 1982.
Following my “candidate year”, I participated in the “Dover Days” of Intercommunity Novitiate. At Profession in 1985, I completed the vow formula with: “God, who calls me, is faithful, and will not fail me.” (I Thessalonians 5:24). This “motto” had served as a comforting reminder whenever I struggled with my choice to “leave my ‘nets’ behind”. In 1989 when it was time for Perpetual Profession, my resolve was clear … I would be a Dominican … nothing else would do.
As a Dominican, I have served mostly as a staff member at our retreat houses in Northern Virginia, Elkins Park, and Schenectady. Working with our Sisters and partnering with our Associates and volunteers has truly been a blessing. Companioning women and men on their spiritual journeys through listening, preaching, teaching, leading music and prayer has been my privilege for 25 years, causing me to reiterate daily, with deep joy, my motto: “God is faithful.”
Growing up, my dream was to be a nurse, get married, have children and live happily ever after in RI. ((never wanted to be a teacher). God had another and better plan!
In high school a vocation prayer was distributed. What do you what me to do with my life, God? Although I prayed this prayer sincerely, I thought I had the answer. Gradually the thought of becoming a sister surfaced. Initially I resisted it. After struggle and serious dialogue with God, it was clear. God was calling me to religious life. But where? Not the Sisters I had in school! The Dominicans are teachers and serve mainly in New York! This can’t be what you want, God?”
