DVM News - February Newsletter

St. Mary’s Dominican High School Hosts Its 27th Annual Food Drive

^{From Left to right: St. Mary’s Dominican High School (New Orleans, La.) Campus Ministry Club members Robin Burke ’26, Lillian Harmann ’27, Monica Bertucci ’27, Cara Thomas ’27, Olivia Hernandez ’26, and Campus Minister Rebecca Wallace.}

The annual food drive of St. Mary’s Dominican High School (New Orleans, La.) marked its 27th year of collecting food for Second Harvest Food Bank. What began as a small service effort by the school’s Campus Ministry club, has grown into a powerful tradition of generosity and community involvement.

This year’s drive filled 18 pallets with an incredible 83,182 food items. The total collection weighed 12,241 pounds—equivalent to 10,200 meals for individuals and families facing food insecurity. These donations reflect the shared efforts of students, families, faculty, staff, and supporters who work in partnership to serve those in need. "The canned food drive truly shows what it means to come together as a community and work towards something bigger than ourselves. It fulfills the duty given to us by God to care for those who need it and shows what can be achieved through the kindness of others." — Cara Thomas ‘27

Second Harvest Food Bank leads the fight against hunger in south Louisiana by providing food access, advocacy, education, and disaster response. The organization supports more than 450 community partners and programs across 23 parishes. Each year, Second Harvest staff and volunteers distribute the equivalent of more than 43 million meals to over 300,000 people, making partnerships like this food drive a meaningful part of their mission to serve the community.

Rosarian Academy Appoints Dr. Sharon Morris-Lencheski as New Head of School

^{Dr. Sharon Morris-Lencheski, new Head of School at Rosarian Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.)}

Rosarian Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.) is proud to announce Dr. Sharon Morris-Lencheski as its new Head of School. A familiar and trusted leader within the Rosarian community, Dr. Morris-Lencheski steps into this role after years of service across multiple positions on campus, bringing with her a deep institutional knowledge, empathy for educators, and a strong commitment to the school’s Dominican mission.

Dr. Morris-Lencheski’s tenure at Rosarian Academy has prepared her well to serve as Head of School. She has held several roles, giving her valuable perspective on the school as a whole. She began as a Social Studies teacher, then moved to Department Chair. She was promoted to serve as Dean of Students and then, two years ago became the Director of Middle School. She noted that each experience has given her an understanding and an appreciation for the many ways teachers daily live the mission with students and navigate the pressures of being an educator today. This knowing, she added, will assist her in strengthening relationships and creating strategic plans for the future.

“I look forward to leading our joyful, close-knit community into our next 100 years,” she shared, expressing her excitement to welcome new generations of families, teachers, and students into the mission of the school through faith formation, rigorous academics, and a vibrant community culture guided by the Dominican Catholic tradition.

She will steward the Dominican charism at Rosarian Academy with a community-wide commitment to the four pillars of prayer, study, community, and service. “Prayer will continue to be woven into each day on campus. Learning will involve critical thinking, traditional academics, and experiential activities. I plan to lead by example by fostering our service to others. Finally, I pray to be a conduit of discipleship for this remarkable community of faith-filled families.”

Dominican Veritas Ministries extends its congratulations to Dr. Sharon Morris-Lencheski on her appointment as Head of School and wishes her continued success.

Rosarian Academy Celebrates New Field with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

On February 2, Rosarian Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.) students, faculty, and staff gathered with Board members for an exciting ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the new on-site athletic field and the near completion of the capital campaign. The joyful occasion included a blessing of the field by Fr. Brian King, Episcopal Secretary for the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach, and inspiring remarks from Board Chair, Nick Colman.

“Athletics are a vital extension of our mission,” said Coleman. “They teach discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and leadership—values that align directly with the formation of the whole child. An on-campus field allows us to intentionally integrate athletics into daily school life, strengthen community connection, and provide our students with the facilities they deserve.”

The new field was built on the former site of “the Casa”, the convent of Rosarian Academy’s founding Congregation, the Dominican Sisters of Adrian. The same ground that once nurtured faith and vocation continues to support students today and carries the Sisters’ legacy into a new century of growth and formation.

^{From left to right: George Mayer (Board Member), Nick Coleman (Chairman of the Board), Lindsey Beylo (Athletic Director), Virginia Devine (Head of School), Danielle Hickox Moore (Alumni and major campaign donor), Fr. Brian King, and Nick Coniglio (Board Member) at the Rosarian Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.) ribbon cutting ceremony.}

^{Rosarian Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.) students celebrate on the newly constructed field.}

^{Aerial view of Rosarian Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.) students bringing their team themes to life during Field Day cheers.}

Mark Butler Launches New Book Documenting 203 Years of Dominican Women’s History

DVM, Inc. Trustee Mark Butler, OPA, recently published his third book titled, Timeline of Dominican Women in the United States: The First 203 Years. The project traces more than two centuries of Dominican women’s lives and ministry in the United States. The idea for the book evolved while Butler served on the Steering Committee for the 200th Anniversary of Dominican Women in the U.S., where gathering historical materials sparked a desire to show how individual stories connect within a broader historical narrative.

With a background in church history, Mark was naturally drawn to the timeline format. His visits to the Heritage Room at the Dominican Sisters of Peace in St. Catharine, Kentucky, also helped shape the book’s vision. “When I look at the photos and artifacts there, I immediately begin to construct a larger story around them,” he said. The timeline format invites readers to step back and see how individual lives, ministries, and moments fit together across generations, revealing patterns of perseverance, adaptability, and faithful service.

Throughout the book, moments of courage and compassion stand out, especially during times of crisis. Mark was particularly moved by accounts of Dominican Sisters who left the safety of their convent and school during the yellow fever epidemics in Memphis to care for the gravely ill. He sees this same spirit echoed across centuries, from St. Catherine of Siena ministering during a fourteenth century plague to modern witnesses like Sr. Ellen Coates serving as a contact tracer during the COVID pandemic, revealing a continuity of faith lived out in service to others.

Mark hopes the book helps readers see history not as distant facts, but as a living story shaped by the Holy Spirit. He shares that he hopes readers come away “seeing the Holy Spirit moving through history and recognizing how the Dominican charism continually empowers Sisters, Associates, and Lay Partners to rise up and meet the needs of their time.” While acknowledging that not everyone loves history, he hopes the book offers a sense of where the Dominican family has been and inspires hope for where it is going.

The book has already reached the Top 10 on Amazon’s “Hot New Releases” list in the General History of Religion category, and copies are available for purchase on Amazon via the link below.

Buy your copy

^{Mark Butler, OPA, DVM, Inc. Trustee, Director of Founded Ministries for the Dominican Sisters of Peace.}

^{Mark Butler’s newest book, Timeline of Dominican Women in the United States: The First 203 Years, now available on Amazon.}

Join us for the SPARK Webinar featuring Sr. Beth Murphy, OP

Edgewood Campus School Students Share Valentine Love with the Sinsinawa Sisters

^{Edgewood Campus School (Madison, Wisc.) students created colorful valentines for the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters as part of a Catholic Schools Week activity.}

During Catholic Schools Week 2026, Edgewood Campus School (Madison, Wisc.) students lived out Dominican values of service. The second and third grade students created heartfelt Valentine’s Day cards for the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa as a way to express gratitude, love, and relationship.

As part of this experience, students learned about the mission of the Sisters, the many ways they support the school, and serve the broader community. This invited students see how one’s faith is lived out through service, prayer, and community.

The handmade cards were joyfully delivered to the Sisters at special Dominican locations, including the Mound at Sinsinawa, St. Dominic Villa, and the Racine Dominican Motherhouse, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

This simple act reminded students that small gestures bring great joy and helped them appreciate how they are part of a larger Dominican family rooted in truth, compassion, and love.

^{Welcome Sheri Vadenais, DVM’s New Executive Assistant}

^{Sheri Vadenais, DVM Executive Assistant}

Dominican Veritas Ministries is excited to introduce Sheri Vadenais as the new Executive Assistant. Sheri is a lifelong resident of Rhode Island. She and her husband have three adult children who live near and far away. She joined the Sponsorship Staff on February 2, 2026.

For the past 27 years, Sheri has served as the Office Manager for Friends Foundry, a family-run business in the tradition of metal working and expert craftsmanship. Last November, the family decided to sell the business, which invited Sheri to explore new opportunities. Her sister-in-law, nextdoor neighbor of DVM's Executive Director, Kristin Melley, made her aware of the position. Sheri was drawn to DVM for its mission, the complexity of the position, and the opportunity to do meaningful work.

Outside of work, Sheri enjoys reading and challenging herself with any kind of puzzle. She and her husband enjoy traveling. They have an exciting trip to Budapest, Hungary, planned for summer 2026. Most of all, she appreciates the time she can spend with family and friends.

St. Agnes Academy Celebrates Feast Day with Archbishop Vásquez

^{From left to right: St. Agnes Academy student Olivia Salazar ’29; St. Agnes Academy Principal Carleen Raymond; the Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston; St. Agnes Academy Head of School Dr. Karen Jakuback; and St. Agnes Academy student Mary Katherine Fritsch ’27.}

On January 21st, the St. Agnes Academy (Houston, Tex.) community came together to joyfully celebrate the Feast of Saint Agnes. The celebration included a community Mass, presided over by His Excellency the Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Every year, the Feast of St. Agnes Mass provides the community with a formal occasion to pray, reflect, and give thanks. The Mass serves as a reminder of the importance of embracing one’s faith, staying true to one’s principles, and supporting one another on the journey of spiritual growth.

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