Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Margaret Kavanagh OP Throughout my years of ministry, an abiding commitment to issues of justice has been nourished by my Sisters in community and by my students and co-workers.Dominican life—prayer, community, study, ministry—is what energizes me. Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Margaret Krajci, OP “Sow God’s word! Make good on the talents entrusted to you.” - Catherine of Siena After 33 years in education, I was ‘birthing’ a new corporation, Benincasa Family Services,--an umbrella for projects dedicated to the care of the poor.Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Jeanne Andre Brendel OP While working in the corporate world what ignited in my soul was “the” question,“ Is that all there is?” The fast crowd, the frenetic life I was living became like sticks rubbing together igniting a burning fire. Fanning the flame...Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Jeanne Clark, OP Being committed to Truth is what means the most to me in my life as a Dominican. The way that commitment has been lived out in my life is through my love of the social teaching of the Church and the truth embedded in the dignity of all .Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Laura Arvin, OP Considering my Mom is Catholic and my Dad is Jewish, and the thought of religious life wasn’t in my original life-plan, I found and continue to find God’s call to be both humorous and profound. Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Barbara Schwarz OP If someone would have told me 35 years ago that today I would be an artist waiting for a book for which I had done the graphics, cover and layout and was a past president of the Dominican Institute for the Arts-- I would have laughed !Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sisters Diane, Peggy & Marion at NED6 Katrina Project Over a five-week period, 26 Sisters served in housing, food pantry service, tutoring in a summer children’s camp, home visiting, clerical assistance, library assistance and special services.Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Ancilla Keinberger OP I was invited to ministry that I would have never dreamed of. While there I learned T’ai Chi Chih and was encouraged to study for accreditation. When I left this ministry I offered “Spirituality and Wellness” Programs.
Dominican Sister of Blauvelt Sister Jo-Anne Fallace, OP Dominican Sister of Blauvelt Sister Jo-Anne Fallace, OP My vocation is very much about relationship and community. In 1971, through the Charismatic Renewal, my relationship with God became very real. It has been the renewal in my life that hasDominican Sisters of Blauvelt Sister Kathleen McManus,OP Before graduation, the religious life question started stirring in me again. I came to clarity about the call in a moment of enlightenment about the meaning of consecrated celibacy. I had developed a deep taste for contemplative solitude, ...Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt Sister Cecelia Lavan OP Consciousness of oppression - how it works, who benefits, who pays the price - and a commitment to work for social justice in order to overturn oppression is the present stage of my Dominican vocation.,-- working with others for human rights.Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt Sister Barbara Ann Scgro OP I sensed that these sisters lived what they preached. I wanted to get to know them in a deeper way and so made a commitment as an associate . My participation in the Associate Program led me to seek more and to ask if I was being called...Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt Sister Beryl Herdt, OP For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord…Jeremiah 29. Who would have thought that religious life could begin at age 63? How it did was certainly indicative that God’s time is not our time. Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt Sister Didi Madden, OP After college while working on Wall Street and enjoying my social life, I realized I wasn’t paying attention to the world around me. I re-connected with Amnesty International and Pax Christi and at the same time I met the Dominicans of Blauvelt. Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt Sister Dorothy Hall, OP In 1993 I became an Associate of the Blauvelt congregation. It was on an Associates’ retreat weekend that I first felt a call to religious life. I tried very hard to ignore the call but the more I did, the stronger it became. I discerned ...Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt Sister Mary Ann Collins, OP I now minister to senior citizens in New York City and as a chaplain in the medical unit at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women. Both groups are among the most vulnerable in our society. Yet my interaction with them ...Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt Sister Theresa Maillet, OP My adoptive parents lived in a small French village in Nova Scotia. My first teacher was a religious sister and I knew then that I wanted to be like her. When I was eight years old, my family moved to City Island in the Bronx, New York. ...Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt Sister Bridget Troy, OP It has been written of the Irish that when we revisit the past, we can reinvent the truth to suit ourselves. It was a hot summer day, there was a beach and I might have said, "there has to be more to life”. I do know there was no sound, ...Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt Sister Kathy O'Hanlon, OP 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 IDominican Sisters of Blauvelt Sister Michaela Connolly OP In the seventies, when so many sisters I knew were leaving the convent, I began hear the question: Why do you stay? My answer then and now is because I firmly believe this is where I am meant to find God and accomplish God’s work.
Stories of Our Sisters bring the Charism to Life

Here are Our Stories

(Scroll over the picture to get a taste then click the name for a link for the more complete story)
Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Sister Catherine Rose Quigley OP My primary ministry has been in high school education. Each experience has been a response to a call to be a changing force and influence in the lives of high school students at a crucial time of growth. Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Sister Kathleen Donnelly OP In the early years of my professed life, I saw many Sisters leave religious life and the educational field. Yet I felt compelled to share my talents and skills as an elementary school principal since I was 29. It’s what I love to do.... Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Sister Pat Conway OP By the early 1980's, I moved into a new ministry, one which has changed my life drastically over the past 25+ years. I started out as a teacher at New Hope Manor ( a substance abuse program for women ). Quickly the needs of counseling these women...Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Sister Kathy Logan, OP Having reflected on St. Catherine’s words, I prayed for an open mind and a broader vision. I also prayed to be led to a Religious Congregation that would allow me to be the person who I had grown to be. My prayer and God’s vision led me...Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Sister Marilyn Dunn, OP “Why did you become a Sister?” a question asked by a member of my Misericordia School of Nursing class. The next day I told her that she needed to hear my TRUE reason. The reason I became a Sister was because I fell..Dominincan Sisters of Sparkill Elizabeth Slenker, OP I was blessed by the Sparkill Congregation to pursue this love in higher education, and was awarded by teaching art, first in elementary school, then at the high school level, and finally at the college level. ...Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Sister Catherine Morgan, OP Graduation came, I began teaching and dating a wonderful young man seemed like a perfect match – an “EHarmony” special - long before it existed. But then there was this little voice that kept telling me there was something else I was to do Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Sister Christine Corey, OP 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. I was determined to test...
Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Lois Kikkert OP “What has been the biggest surprise?” In response to this question, I sat in quiet to contemplate a verse from scripture: “See I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” ...Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Marge Jaros, OP Jesus promised that “He came to bring life and life to the fullest.” I have felt the fullness of life in all my ministries; from day care , grade school, high school, pastoral work, retreat work to my present work with senior citizens...Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Patricia O’Donnell, OP “Why did you enter religious life...and why have you chosen to live it for 50 years?” I have been asked this question many times as I am sure most religious have. I have no instant answer. My call to religious life was a gradual unfoldingDominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Barbara Krug, OP My biggest reward has been seeing some of my former students become such fine women and men. Many are more committed to a loving relationship with God, serving God’s People, and concern for justice, even for our planet Earth!...Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Peggy Ann Clinton, OP Where would the journey lead me? I spent eight years teaching elementary school. I thought I might do something in Theology. Six summers I spent in Providence. A phone call came one day. Could I come to the Mt. St. Dominic to teach higDominincan sister of Caldwell Patricia Mahoney, OP The biggest reward is the joy and support of Community life. I realize that it was a struggle at times due to different philosophical differences but for the most part this is God’s daily gift to me. It sustains me, feeds me, to go out in ministry Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Pat Stringer, OP I spent the first few years teaching in schools in NJ. In the 1970’s I volunteered to minister in Abaco, Bahamas. There is where I realized that I loved living and working in a cross cultural environment. Thus this journey of religious life toDominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Alice Uhl, O 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!"Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Kathleen Tuite OP After the question or shall I say invitation to religious life was presented, I found my heart and soul never able to shake this thought. God was pursuing me, although at times I tried to run away, and I could do nothing about it. ...

Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Dolores Gartanutti,O.P. (Dee) I struggled with the notion of my vocation. I was dating and always felt I wanted a brood of youngsters - all boys - all ballplayers. I could not put out of my mind the notion that God wanted me as a religious. I was so confused.Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Diane Kirwin OP Look where a basketball took me! I am in the community fifty-four years at this time. If I had it to do over I would. Thank you God for inviting me to share this blessed vocation.Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Eileen Connors, OP 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!Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Mary Nolan OP often comment that I am a “Born-Again Dominican”. When I signed my dispensation from vows our Assistant Prioress told me that I would always be welcome to return to the congregation. That thought always kept coming back to me. “Not yet, God...."
Dominican Sister of Caldwell Sister Jean Catherine OP Some of the prophetic things the students would share were some times overwhelming. It is so true that we also learn from the students. Many times I would be in awe of what the person had shared with me during the day. They energized me daily wiDominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Pegy Ryan, OP I thought I would always teach 5th grade in NJ but God exploded my idea of where ministry opportunities would open to me. I taught elementary school in NJ, Connecticut, and Caguas, Puerto Rico and high school religion and Spanish in our academyDominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Suse Janis, OP I have been blessed to minister in different parts of the United States and in the Bahamas. My ministries have included teaching young children and being a principal in an elementary school. I am Director of Trinity Academy Early Childhood Center
Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Cecilia Gutmann OP I have told many that the reason I chose entering the Dominican Novitiate was that the Dominicans "seemed happy and appeared to like one another."
Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Mary Agnes Sullivan OP nspiration and energy comes from two sources. The first is the fidelity, prayerfulness and generous spirit of our Sisters. The second is my ministry with children – their innocence and daily surprises continue to delight me.
Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Therese Ezelius OP My love of life, parties and fun seemed to be big obstacles to religious life and in family and friends were sure I wouldn't last more than two weeks. However, God saw fit to put all these things and more into my life as a religious.
Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Miriam Cannavale, OP I am profoundly inspired by peoples’ willingness to provide hope to others even in the midst of their own physical sufferings. This has been my experience during Hospice ministry, especially with a 12-year-old cancer patient who gave hope.
Dominican Sisters of Amityville Therese Monaghan OP When I was in the fourth grade I felt God calling me in the whiff of a warm breeze. ...I breathed in the scent of honeysuckle. Ah-God--I thought, I want to do big things for you.
Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Kathleen Boyle, OP As I look back on 50 years of service, I realize that I have taught in many schools, but the surprise element comes from being missioned in the Bahamas and in Alabama. I would never have guessed that I would have the opportunity to teach ...
Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Carolann Masone OP My life was enriched through sharing prayer and ministry with people from all of the 22 Spanish-speaking countries. I have visited these countries and had opportunities to plan and advocate on every level of church, and government.
Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Frances Margaret OP My biggest surprise is that I have ministered in so many different ministries: teacher in NJ, CT and Abaco Island, Bahamas; housemother for pregnant teens; adult day care; and now administrative assistant in our Development Office.
Dominican Sisters of Amityville, Lenore Toscano OP My “Yes” was in response to God’s invitation to follow a path trod by so many before me to become a Dominican Sister, one who is called to be a preacher, entrusted with God’s message, driven to speak words of truth , love, mercy, justice.
Dominican Sisters of Amityville, Lenore Toscano OP My “Yes” was in response to God’s invitation to follow a path trod by so many before me to become a Dominican Sister, one who is called to be a preacher, entrusted with God’s message, driven to speak words of truth , love, mercy, justice.
Dominican Sisters of Amityville, Lenore Toscano OP My “Yes” was in response to God’s invitation to follow a path trod by so many before me to become a Dominican Sister, one who is called to be a preacher, entrusted with God’s message, driven to speak words of truth , love, mercy, justice.
Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Donna Marie,OP Vatician II certainly has openned up new opportunities for woman religious to serve in various Church ministry. I have been able to be involved in the educational minitry of various parishes in our Archdioceses as well as on the national level.
Dominican Sisters of Amityville Sister Irene Garvey, OP I look back on my life as a series of calls within “the call.” Each one has stretched me and blessed me and I pray that God has used me to stretch and bless others.
Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Sister Lois Curry, OP Praising, blessing, preaching; studying reflecting and dialoging; learning to let go in hope have been part of the continuing thread of my life. What energizes me most now is the new fire and desire in the hearts of my sisters and parish people..
Dominican Sister of Caldwell Sister Jane Marie Primarily, I continue to live the Dominican vowed life because I deeply and sincerely believe it is God's will for me. I am inspired and energized to continue to live Dominican vowed life by the faithfulness, example, dedication, and commitment...
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