S. Lenore Toscano and Executive Director of OPening Word Gillian Kessinger enjoy OPening Word's Thanks-For-Giving Event! At the Motherhouse: Sisters decorate Christmas trees and St. Nicholas visits with Sisters. | |
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WORDS of WISDOM
"If Christ is the day that never fades,
Mary is its dawn, shining with beauty."
— Pope John Paul II
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SHARINGS from LEADERSHIP
A Column by the Leadership Team
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Hosts for New Year’s Eve: We invite any local community who would be willing to host a New Year’s Eve Recollection to contact Carolann Masone at 631-842-6000 ext. 313 or [email protected]. The deadline is December 8, 2023. | |
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Fanjeaux Raffle: The Congregation is willing to finance two sisters to participate in the Fanjeaux experience this summer. If Sisters are interested in traveling to the Lands of Dominic this upcoming year from June 24 to July 2, 2024, please submit your name to [email protected] by December 15, 2023. Attached are the brochure and registration form.
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Peconic Land Trust Signed: Part of the Motherhouse Grounds Will Be Preserved
After years of work and study, the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville have signed documents creating an agricultural conservation easement on 10.4 acres of our motherhouse property in partnership with the Peconic Land Trust. This action will preserve this portion of the land from development in perpetuity. Two quotes can help us understand the motivation behind this action. In 2001 the Congregation approved a statement entitled a Land Ethic. It stated in part, “As our consciousness of being part of the living world grows, we see ourselves as connected to all that lives, breathes and exists. We come to realize that our ancestry includes all forms of life, all the stars, the galaxies and even the fireball at the heart of time. We come to know that there is a single sacred community of Earth which includes all its component members both human and other than human, and that land has its own unique interiority and is not simply something we control.”
Pope Francis in his 2015 encyclical letter Laudato Si, reminds us of our place in creation, “Our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us …. This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.” - Laudato Si 1,2.
"Creating this conservation easement will continue the good work of Sophia Garden and Homecoming Farm," said Sister Diane Morgan, Member of the Leadership Council. "Possibilities for agriculture in varied forms – vegetables, wildflowers, native grasses and more – are all being explored to continue our gratitude and appreciation for the gift of this land."
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Christmas Liturgy Schedule
On Saturday, December 23rd, 2023, we will have Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent at 4PM.
On December 24th, there is no Mass in the morning but we will have Midnight Mass at 4 PM as is our custom.
And on December 25th, Christmas Day, Mass will be at 10:45AM.
These liturgies will be streamed as well as Lessons & Carols on December 10th, the Feast of the Holy Family on December 31st, Solemnity of Mary on January 1, 2024 and Epiphany on Sunday, January 7, 2024. Watch at our live stream web page.
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St. Nicholas Visits with Sisters Delivering Joy!
December 6th is always a fun day at the Motherhouse when a mysterious figure walks the hallways handing out treats to sisters, employees and anyone he (or she) meets! It's St. Nicholas! Donning a bishop's hat and a long red alb, St. Nicholas delivers warm Merry Christmas greetings and big smiles. (At left, St. Nicholas is pictured with Jean Aquinas Lanahan. At right, S. Mary Rosilda Pataky lights up when she sees St. Nicholas. S. Rosilda celebrated her 98th birthday this week!)
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Eagle Scout Zachary Kreen Talks about Rosary Box At Motherhouse
You may have noticed a Rosary Box near our St. Dominic Statue adjacent to the main parking lot of the Motherhouse Grounds. But you may not have met the young man responsible for building and installing it: Boy Scout Zachary Krenn. Zachary chose this project as his Eagle Scout project. "I am pleased with the outcome of my Rosary Box project. The box exceeded my expectations and I hope the community is happy with it too," said Zachary. "I approached this project with a deep respect for the significance of the Rosary in the lives of many individuals. I recognize both the cultural and the spiritual importance of the Rosary and wanted to focus on that during the completion of the project."
He is grateful to all the scouts, donors, and friends who collaborated on this project, which was instigated by the Communications Office, with Debbie DeRupo as the Scout Liaison.
"I saw this project as an opportunity to contribute to the community by improving a site meant for prayer. The Rosary seemed fitting for individuals looking to enjoy their time walking the trail and to relax," he said. You are heartily welcome to borrow some rosary beads from the box and to meditate while walking on our Motherhouse grounds.
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Eucharistic Ministers Needed at the Motherhouse
Calling Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharistic! In our schedule of daily Masses in the Motherhouse (Sunday through Thursday), Holy Communion is brought to the sisters in Carlin Hall by three people. Our “resident “ community is struggling to maintain this schedule and we would appreciate assistance. The ministry involves attending Mass, and then going upstairs at Communion time to bring the Eucharist to the sisters. If interested, please contact Sister Elaine at [email protected] or call 631-608-9209.
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Next Community Assembly Will be April 13th
Thank you to all who attended the Community Assembly meeting on Saturday, October 21, whether in person, closed circuit TV, or on Zoom links. We would also like to thank all those who were part of the presentation of kelp farming in Shinnecock Bay, Laudato Si, and the Peconic Land Trust, in person or on video. Our next Spring Community Assembly is Saturday, April 13th. If there is a committee of persons who would like to make a presentation on that day, please notify Ann Horn, OP, by the deadline of March 7th at [email protected]. You will receive an acknowledgment that your request was received within a week. Thank you.
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Opening Word Thanks-For-Giving Event
Thanksgiving time is a good time for giving thanks -- and it's a good time for giving! Opening Word's annual fundraising event entitled "Thanks-for-Giving" was filled with both gratitude and giving! Participants filled the Helen Butler Hall including many students and their families. More than 50 beautiful baskets were raffled off and they exceeded the fundraising goal. It was truly a joyful way to celebrate the Holiday!
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Homecoming Farm’s Annual Christmas in the Cloister:
The Babe of Bethlehem
A Contemplative Nativity Celebration
Because of limited room in the historic chapel, please RSVP to this event to reserve your seat with Elizabeth Keihm at [email protected].
Sponsored by Homecoming Farm, there will be a very special concert event on December 17, 2023, at 1 PM entitled, "The Babe of Bethlehem A Contemplative Nativity Celebration" in the beautiful Chapel of Rosary Hall! The music was written in honor of the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Nativity in Greccio, Italy. At the concert, you might see some familiar faces! The concert will feature reflections read by friends of Homecoming Farm and highlight the voices of member children. There will also be a new choir and band assembled for the occasion -- including a Sister! The new and original music was written by a wife-husband songwriting team Lena Pennino-Smith (Co-director of the Communications Office of the Sisters of St. Dominic) and Brian Smith. Also, there may a special appearance by a beloved pet!
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Office of Financial Services | |
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Let Us Know the Council Members on Your Account
Thank you to the many sisters who have returned the Bank Information form to the Office of Financial Services. May we ask those who have not returned the form as yet, to please include the names of the council members who are signers on your account. If you do not recall, please call your bank and ask them for the information. They will only give that information to the signers on the account. Here is a copy of the form.
Please return by mail or in person the forms to the Office of Financial Services Attention Pat Koehler.
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No Newsletter on December 21st and December 28th
There will be no "The Peaching Continues" on December 21st and December 28th. Any information that needs to be communicated, will be sent out as a separate email. Blessed Advent!
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Christmas Project and Upcoming Meetings
Christmas Project: This Advent, the Associates will be collecting food gift cards to distribute to the following: Opening Word, Visitation, and St. Hugh of Lincoln’s Ukrainian family. Please send the cards to the Associates' Office at Queen of the Rosary Motherhouse, 555 Albany Avenue, Amityville, New York 11701. Associates and Candidates also can bring the cards to the December meetings or to Vespers on December 10th. The meetings are as follows:
Candidates: Thank you to Sister Kathy Finan who presented on the Dominican Saints on Sunday, December 3, 2023 to our candidates.
Associates: The next Associates meeting will occur on Sunday, December 10th from 1 until 2:30 PM. Sisters Vicki Toale and Judy Flanagan will conduct the meeting in the De Porres Room on the first floor of the Motherhouse. We will celebrate Christmas at that time. Lessons and Carols in St. Albert Chapel will follow the meeting at 3 PM. Candidates are welcome to join the Associates at this meeting.
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Sisters are Reading "Under the Sky We Make"
For a good number of months now, the JPIC Committee has been reading and discussing the book: "Under the Sky We Make (How to Be Human in a Warming World.)" The book is authored by Kimberly Nicholas, Ph.D. She is from California but now lives in Sweden. The book is a serious challenge to us regarding the climate crisis and global warming. If this is of interest to you, you can get a copy in the Heritage Center/ Library in our Motherhouse.
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Dominican Month for Peace 2023 in Amazonia Continues
We join in the recitation of the Rosary on the three Monday nights of December at 7PM. The next recitations are on the 11th and the 18th for peace in Amazonia. Here is the Zoom link. Also, please remember to pray wherever you are at 9AM each Friday morning for Peace in the Sudan, the Middle East, and the Ukraine.
In 2023, the Dominican Family around the world will join in this solidarity work for peace in Amazonia - the Dominican family has highlighted key themes each week. Please find more information below:
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The video of the history of the Month for Peace tradition and an explanation on 2023 Amazonia found here [English, French, and Spanish]: https://youtu.be/OMEIljcqbu4
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More resources including a brochure can be found on our website at https://sistersofstdominic.org/dominican-month-for-peace-2023
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Facebook events for the Dominican Month of Peace 2023 and the Rosary for Peace in Amazonia
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Food Collection on Sunday, December 10th
In our efforts to hear the Cry of the Poor (from Laudato Si') there will be a food collection and supermarket gift card collection at Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 10th. Our Dominican Associates will distribute the gift cards and the JPIC Committee will give the collected food items to the students at The Opening Word. Thank you.
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Young Adult Retreat on Saturday, December 9th
On Saturday, December 9th from 11:30AM to 6PM, there will be a Young Adult Advent Retreat in Rosary Hall Chapel. Young adults in their 20s, will be coming from New Jersey, Queens, New York City and Molloy University.
Sisters and Associates are welcome to the afternoon session at 4PM for Adoration, followed by Mass at 5 PM. The sisters are also welcome to meet and greet our young adults in the dining room at lunch time. For more information, contact Sister Gina Fleming at [email protected].
Adoration and Vespers at 4PM,
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December 2023: From September 2023 to May 2024, the arm of Saint Jude Thaddeus, venerated in Rome from ancient times, will be on pilgrimage in the United States, making stops in 100 cities. During November and December 2023, there are stops in parishes of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Come and experience his transformative presence. Come and see what he has for you. Learn more here.
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Dec. 11 & 18, 2023: You are invited to an Advent Series given on Zoom by S. Carol Perry: All Religious Sisters and Brothers of the NY Archdiocese are invited to attend this Advent series entitled "You cannot Plan on Christmas." Capacity is 100 viewing groups – so sign up early. Click here for more.
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December 17th at 1 PM: Homecoming Farm's Annual Christmas in the Cloister. This very special concert event will celebrate the farm as well as the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Nativity in Greccio, Italy. Our beautiful Christmas concert, The Babe of Bethlehem, A Contemplative Nativity, is not to be missed…with music and singing in the beautiful cloister chapel. Please RSVP to Elizabeth at [email protected] before December 14th.
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Sisters Needed for Nuns and Nones Retreat
There is a retreat opportunity! Some sisters dropped out of the Nuns and Nones retreat this weekend, December 8-10, at Mariandale and they looking for a few additional sisters to join us. All sisters are welcome. If sisters are interested but cannot come for the weekend, they're welcome to come on Saturday morning and stay for as long as they'd like. Call Gina Ciliberto anytime-- (914) 327-9648. ere is a link to respond to the event.
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Thursday Evenings Advent Reflection Series at St. Fidelis with Sister Ruth Lautt
Deacon Dan Donnelly and S. Ruth Lautt will offer the opportunity to prayerfully reflect on the deep Biblical meaning of the Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love on the following dates:
Thursdays at 7 PM on December 7th, December 14th, and December 21st at St. Fidelis Church at 123-14 14th Avenue, Queens, NY 11356.
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Notre Dame Retreats for Women Religious Offered
There will be two opportunities for Women Religious to spend a week on retreat here at beautiful Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua, New York:
June 23-28, 2024 – with Gillian Ahlgren
August 4-9, 2024 – with Fr. Chuck Frederico, SSJ
To get on our mailing list, please email us at [email protected].
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La Casas Newsletter: Read about Dominican Sisters Serving Indigenous People
This is the first year the Las Casas Newsletter has been shared electronically. Please share it with your communities about Dominicans serving the Indigenous people. Attached is the newsletter and a copy of the appeal letter sent to the Dominican Sisters and Friars.
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Thought You'd Like to Know | |
Dear Sisters, If anyone’s relative is Patricia Alfano, Please email her address to Carolann Masone – [email protected]. Thank you. | | |
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Sister Marlene's Halpin's Book Released (Again)
Loyola Press has just released a new edition of Sister Marlene Halpin's The Ball of Red String. This children's book by Sister Marlene (1927-2019) leads readers on an imaginative journey to a quiet place where they "meet" Jesus. To order her book, click here.
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S. Ave Clark Featured on New Podcast/Blog
S. Ave Clark was recently interviewed by Tony Rossi on the Christopher Blog entitled "Embark on a Pilgrimage of Light This Advent and Christmas with Sister Ave Clark" You can read the blog and listen to the podcast here. Purchase her new book "Advent~Christmas: A Pilgrimage of Light" on Amazon or directly from Sister Ave Clark on her website for Heart to Heart Ministry here.
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Christmas Cards
Please click on this link for Sister Eileen Stattel's designs for this Christmas season.
Please click on this link for Sister Barbara Schwarz' designs for this season.
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Holidays Cards and Calendars
There is still time to order calendars of the Motherhouse grounds, Thanksgiving, and Christmas cards. To order contact Barbara Schwarz at [email protected] or 516-695-3238.
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Attention Spiritual Directors
If you are a trained spiritual director currently accepting new directees please send your name and contact information, plus a brief bio of no more than 150 words to Margaret Galiardi at [email protected]. Please include this Subject in your email: Spiritual Director. Thank You!
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Long Beach Condo
There is availability for retreat and vacation for any sister at the Condo during the months of December, January and February. Please contact Sister Judy Olsen at 917-991-2054 if you would like to make a reservation.
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Opportunities at the Motherhouse
There are job opportunities at the Motherhouse that can be viewed on our website. Here is an application. Please feel free to share these:
1.Director of Pastoral Care
2. LPN/RNs: The Sisters of St. Dominic are looking for full-time LPNs/RNs and Aides to work in their Nursing department at their Motherhouse in Amityville, NY. The schedules are 12-hour shifts to include rotating weekends. The shifts that need to be filled are day and overnight shifts. The candidate(s) must possess compassion, experience in their chosen field, and be able to work closely with other team members/services. Send resumes and applications to [email protected]
3. Business Manager - send resumes and applications to [email protected]
4. Executive Assistant -send resumes and applications to [email protected]
5. Human Resources Assistant - send resumes and applications to [email protected]
Attached is our job application.
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Part-time Pastoral Care Worker Needed for SSND
There is a part-time pastoral care worker needed to minister to 30 SSND community members at Ozanam Hall. Contact Liz Klein for more: [email protected]
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Dear Sisters, Associates and co-workers,
Sending love and gratitude to all, for your caring, cards and prayers during my recent illness. Since I am home and resuming ministry, I know I have been enriched by the experience of being in our motherhouse for recuperation. I have wonderful memories of the competent, compassionate people and systems at every level of service who gave witness to the joy and hope that is healing. And of course, the gracious hospitality and visits of my Sisters living in the motherhouse were delightful!
Thank you, thank you!
Marie Danaher, OP
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