After attending Catholic elementary and high school in Brooklyn, NY, the Dominican Sisters stood out among all the other communities. 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." I believe the first whisper of my vocation took place in the second grade. Sister Mary Jareth, my teacher, covered me with her mantle when I was struck down with a high fever during class one day. As we awaited my trip home, she touched me very much by her TLC..and that little girl never forgot that!
During my teaching days,Sister Mary Rene Donovan inspired me to undertake one of the most rewarding activities of my ministries. At one of our faculty meetings Sister asked us to think of one of our talents and try to come up with an after school actiivity for the kids. I dug deep within and remembered my baton twirling days. In an empty classroom four children arrived. By the end of the year 110 girls entered competitions and grought home many trophies... and all from a call by my principal.
Dominican Sisters of Caldwell
As a Dominican I have found strenth and joy living community life and beign stretched beyond my wildest dreams as a teacher, RN, and certified Chaplin. My confidence was boosted sas the Spriit moving within me was heeded with encouragement and support of my Congregation. I have been blessed by ministries that have dealth with "mind, body,and spirit." Presently I minister in Mama's House where I care for the babies fo single mothers during their time in school or at work... a nice extension of my days as a Pediatric nurse.
Together with encouragement and support, community life and prayer have been ther center of my life. I never doubt for a minute that had I my life to live over I would choose to living it as a Dominican of Amityville.
Stories of Our Sisters
bring the Charism to Life
Here are Our Stories for January 2009
Dominican Sisters of Amityville
Sisters' Stories
January 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 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. The biggest surprise is that the “Ah – ha!” moments never cease!
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.
www.catholicdominicansisters.org
+ Amityville + Blauvelt + Caldwell + Sparkill
