The Order of Preachers sharing the Gospel for over 800 years.
Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt
Stories of Our Sisters
bring the Charism to Life
Here are Our Stories for April 2008
This is my vision of what might have sown the seeds of my vocation. Growing up in Ireland, I had never heard of St. Dominic, much less of Mary Ann Sammon, our foundress, who was born not far from my home. Among my earliest memories, is an image of the Rosary said at a grandmother’s knee and of bible stories read by my aunt.
What shapes the heart of one who loses a mother at age 15 and soon after emmigrates to England? Perhaps it was the peace of a little church, where I stood in appreciation of its simplicity. Two years later when I arrived in America, that moment was forgotten.
Falling in with a few immigrants like myself made for lots of adventures. Our lives alternated between a shack owned by an aunt in Breezy Point, NY and the Catskill Mountains, which reminded us of home.
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, no terrible beauty, no wind or shroud of mist that engulfed me in a passion of holiness. Shortly after when I met the Blauvelt Dominicans, their charismatic demeanor, their work in education, and their concern for the poor moved me. Thus I said, as Mother Mary Ann did, "Here I shall be."
I thank God for this vocation and for the gift of being able to live a full life with all I have been given and for all I have been able to give in return. Is this not the Dominican way?
Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
One fateful night in October 1995, I sat in a car in the parking lot of the Fame Diner across the street from St. John’s University and spoke with S. Joan. We had dinner together and I let it “slip” that I was struggling with a “life crisis,” but I wouldn’t say more. We continued to talk in her car, and suddenly she said the “V” word—Vocation. My silence was deafening. We talked for a long time in her car that night. A few days later she gave me the card for the vocation director. A few months later I dropped the postcard requesting information in the mailbox. As soon as the card left my hand, I knew my life would never be the same. I met with the vocation director in May, by September we set an entrance date, and I said my first public YES on 12/31/96.
Dominican Sisters of Amityville
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. I encountered many obstacles, yet the deep presence of God within me never wavered. A retreat in Fanjeaux in 1999 secured my rootedness in Dominic and our charism of the Holy Preaching. My love for Catherine of Siena and her intimacy with Jesus have strengthened me for a journey I never would have imagined. My desire to live out my love relationship with God as a Dominican Sister of Amityville is written in the very depths of my heart. The gift of becoming the person God invites me to become is the grace of God’s boundless love for me—and for each one of us.
In 1957, I entered Religious Life to serve God, to bring people closer to God, and to save my own soul. I entered the Caldwell Dominicans because of the intelligent, kind, and happy sisters who taught me at Saint Aloysius Grammar School (Grades 5-8) and Mount Saint Dominic Academy. I have chosen to live it for 50 years because of a loving relationship with God and belief in the Dominican Way of life.
My biggest surprise has been teaching theology at Caldwell College! Who would have thought that Bobbie Krug would follow the steps of Phil Smith and Bob McMullen much less serve six years as chairperson of the Department following the distinguished chairpersons,: Father Paul Christopher
Perrotta, OP, Sister Maura Campbell, OP, Sister Mary Rattigan, CSJ, and Dr. James Flynn! Wow!
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! In a sense, I feel like a grandmother enjoying her family!
Sisters' Stories April 2008
(APRIL STORIES ARE ON TOP OF EACH LIST)
Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt
Dominican Sisters of Caldwell
Dominican Sisters of Amityville
Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
As a child I planned to marry and have a family – what did I know of God’s plans? Upon entering college I now saw three avenues of life open up before me – married life, single life and religious life. All seemed equally inviting – so I decided to wait until after graduation to explore further. 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 with my life. This little voice never insisted, but never went away either. Peacefully parting from my boyfriend I decided to enter the Sparkill Dominican Community. Looking back over 40 years – that was a REALLY GOOD decision! “If today you hear God’s voice . . .” don’t be afraid to respond!!!!
www.catholicdominicansisters.org
+ Amityville + Blauvelt + Caldwell + Sparkill
