My story begins in NY where I was the third of four children of loving and deeply spiritual parents. My first encounter with Dominican Sisters of Sparkill was in elementary school. In high school the Amityville Dominican Sisters were my educators and inspiration. Both groups were joyful, peaceful and caring and this deeply impressed me. It made me want to help others learn of God's love in their lives.
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. My two years in the Novitiate in Amityville were spent learning about St. Dominic, the Rule of St. Augustine, the vows and many "do's and don'ts" of convent living.
Dominican Sisters of Caldwell
Since most Amityville Dominicans were teachers, there was some Novitiate preparation in "How to be a good classroom teacher". This was of some help in my first ministry in Roosevelt for ten years were I taught the third, first, then fifth grade departmental - English and Religion. The following two years were spent teaching Religion and English to Grade 5.
At this time in my life I felt God's call to work with children and adults outside of the Catholic School classroom so, for the next twenty years I ministered as Religious Ed. Coordinator assisting many public school children in their knowledge of God.
I've always believed that I was open to most of life's challenges. However, God decided to remind me of how much I need Him by sending me a handicap called Cerebellum Ataxia - symptoms much like MS. While this has slowed me down it has also been a source of many blessings through the Sisters I've lived with and the many people God has placed in life. Presently, I minister to the people of God as RCIA coordinator for adults receiving the Sacraments of Initiation, visitor to the homebound and chairperson of the Ministry of Consolation and the Children's Liturgy on Sunday mornings.
Who knows what God has in mind for me in the future? FIAT..
Stories of Our Sisters
bring the Charism to Life
Here are Our Stories for February 2009
Dominican Sisters of Amityville
Sisters' Stories
February 2009
Dominican Sisters of Amityville
Dominican Sisters of Caldwell
Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt
Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt
Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
Inspiration comes to me in many forms. Opportunities present themselves daily or very often I ferret out opportunities to perform Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. It is in the performance of these works that I become energized in my spiritual life as a Dominican. 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 and comfort to his parents – and even to me. Other sources of inspiration include allowing others to provide service when I am in need, such as transportation to medical appointments; all the gifts of nature, especially the changes of the seasons; spiritual devotions such as the Rosary and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. I have been blessed with the health and opportunity to attend daily Mass which also serves to inspire and energize me.
The members of the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary Come together to proclaim with John the apostle the words of Christ:“I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.”
In late August, I attended the ceremony of a recent graduate who entered the Pax Christi Sisters. That gathering occasioned a flood of memories of my own entrance in1961. My “call” or vocation was an ordinary experience. It was an ongoing nudge during the two years I was a 9-5 secretary. I am a lifer in terms of my education by the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill.
From a brief experience of the pre-Vatican structure of religious life; from the poets and singers of the Vietnam era to the congregation’s corporate stand response; from the classroom to the “board room” as a member of the congregational administrative team; through the life, death and resurrection experiences as a member of a family, congregation and human community, I believe I have lived life to the fullest these past 47 years.
The address at a recent assembly focused on our world view and how it changes and expands through one’s experience. Membership in my congregation has been a powerful force in shaping me into the person I am.
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. For the past 15 years, I have been privileged to minister at our congregational high school–Aquinas. It has been particularly rewarding as we carry forward the Mission of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill in this congregational school founded in 1923. It is in this place and time that I commit myself to “proclamation of the reign of God through a ministry for justice.” Each day brings new surprises and is never boring. The interaction with students, partnership with parents, and the collegiality among faculty and staff enable us to do together what could not be done alone. We educate young women in a community of faith and learning rooted in the Catholic tradition and committed to excellence in the education of young women–mind and heart, body and spirit (Mission Statement). The work is challenging, the rewards abundant. Through the legacy of the Dominican Sisters, the giants upon whose shoulders we stand and extraordinary leadership and dedication of the many men and women who have joined us in the ministry of education, we have and continue to make a difference. The hope of the future is in the hands of the young women we send forward to make this world a better one
It was in the fourth grade that I first became interested in religious life. The Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt who taught me made their life real and attractive. In my senior year, they invited me to a gathering of women interested in religious life. Invitation, in-formation, and family were great supports for me.
In 1961 the Catholic Church was “letter of the law” as was religious life and I did a lot of thinking for myself. It was not until 1968, with Vatican Council changes, that I felt like myself again. Study and experience opened my eyes and heart to be my true and authentic self. Dominican life nurtured a healthy interdependence of self within community. Our motto of “Truth” and our four Dominican pillars of prayer, community, study and ministry felt like a perfect fit for me and still do.
Religious life for me was and is very much connected with ministry- nine years teaching followed by retreat work, parish and religious education, and then service as Vocation and Associate Director. Presently, I am a Pastoral Care Counselor and work for Global Justice.
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 has carried me through “thick and thin”. This work of the Spirit has revitalized the prayer, study, community and ministry, which have been so much a part of my life. I have been able to make real the Dominican motto, “To contemplate and to share with others the fruit of our contemplation”. Without a deep relationship with God, others, and myself, there would be little authentic fruit to share and I am very grateful.
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+ Amityville + Blauvelt + Caldwell + Sparkill
