S. Ave Clark brought love and music to her retreat. | S. Peggy Warren photographed St. Dominic Chapel in the snow. | Sisters celebrate Mardi Gras despite the snow. | |
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WORDS of WISDOM
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
- Lamentations 3:22-23
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SHARINGS from LEADERSHIP
A Column by the Leadership Team
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Molloy University Leases Second Floor A Wing at Motherhouse
Last week, the congregation was informed that Molloy University Finance and Sustainability Offices will be leasing the second floor A wing of the Motherhouse building starting in March. Click here for more information.
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Collaborative Dominican Novitiate
The Collaborative Dominican Novitiate began in 1988, and Sisters Fran Gorman and Pat Hanvey have served as directors throughout these years. For the past four years, I have been serving as our representative on the CDN Board. I ask for your prayers this weekend as the Board members gather at the Sisters of Peace Motherhouse in Columbus, Ohio to discern the future of this collaborative experience for novices. In May of this year, the present novices will be visiting the Northeast congregations. We look forward to hosting them here in Amityville for an overnight visit. Thanks for your prayers, Pat Koehler, OP.
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Sister Pat Koehler Shares Super Bowl Pool Winners!
Thank you to all who participated in the Super Bowl Pool which rewarded our winners in each quarter of the game and sent $500 to support our mission in Puerto Rico.
Winners were:
1st Quarter – S. Mary Jane Rolston and S. Emily Masse
2nd Quarter – S. Peggy Tully and Pat Daly Mantoni
3rd Quarter – S. Peggy Tully and Pat Daly Mantoni
Final Score – Candace Campbell and Mary Stanis
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Our Own S. Selena Wilson to Represent Sisters at the United Nations
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and has been described as the UN organ promoting gender equality. It was founded in 1946 and headquartered in NYC. The 68th session on the Status of Women will take place from March 11th to March 22nd. More than 7,000 women from around the world will be attending. The Dominican Sisters in Committed Collaboration (OPSCC) have been given a grant of $2,000 to help with the cost of housing some of the women. Our sisters in Mariandale are one of the hosts and our own Selena Wilson is one of the Dominican Sisters who has been asked to represent women religious. She also will be interviewed by The National Catholic Reporter (NCR) on March 15th. Congratulations to Selena - and we are happy and take pride in her presence at the UN and her presence among us. (Submitted by the JPIC Committee.)
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Heart to Heart Ministry's Special Women's Retreat on Saturday
Last Saturday a special women's retreat called "A Muffin and a Cup of Love" drew 175 attendees ranging in age from 18 to 100 years. Sister Ave Clark said, "It was for sure a very holy and happy day. Three homeless women came, all welcomed by kind hearts." The Christian musician Alverlis (pictured below left) played and sang beautiful songs of faith and hope. Paula Santoro and Nelsa Elias shared five-minute talks on their thoughts of about a "cup of love."
"The refreshments were all homemade, so there were lots of delicious treats for sure!" said S. Ave. "It was a day of wonderful kindness, caring, compassion, and joy." There was also a birthday celebration for Rosalie who is 100 years young at heart. To read and see more go to the Heart to Heart website.
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"Smile Bags" delivered to the Children of OPening Word Students
Molloy University held its sixth annual MLK Day of Service on January 15th. In honor of the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, the University invited both employees as well as others from neighboring communities to participate in hands-on service projects and learn about opportunities for volunteerism on Long Island. One service project was preparing "Smile Bags" to be donated to young children currently in local Long Island hospitals. These bags were filled with such things as Play-Doh, colored pencils, drawing paper, coloring books, crayons, personal journals, and card games.
The number of Items donated for this particular project was so great that we were able to donate several dozen "Smile Bags" to the children of women studying at the Opening Word in Amityville! Michelle Martin and Maureen Muir, OP of Molloy Campus Ministries were pleased to hand-deliver these "smiles" to Opening Word last week.
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Molloy University Students Make Valentines for Our Motherhouse Sisters
Our sisters received some special St. Valentine's Day Cards from students on the softball team at Molloy University. With a card in their hands and an ash cross on their heads, the sisters began the Lenten season with love.
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Mardi Gras Celebrated!
Our Wellness Advocates, the Dietary Department, and the Nursing Department joined together to host an afternoon party with sweet treats and good company in the dining room. The Sisters were celebrating the last day before Lent. The regular Mardi Gras party with entertainment was canceled due to snow.
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Hearts to Hands Members Crochet Gift Items for the Motherhouse Sisters
On Friday, February 9th, three members of the Hearts to Hands Ministry from St. Albans, Queens came to the Motherhouse to deliver handmade crocheted items for the sisters in Carlin Hall. They distributed Afghan blankets, "prayer pockets" and crocheted caddies to hold items on the side of wheelchairs or walkers. Hearts to Hands was formed by Celeste Bright for people who wanted to be creative, spend time together and donate their handmade items. S. Fran Gorman and S. Peggy McVetty shared some stories about St. Albans, and they were invited to stay for lunch with members of the Council to chat.
(Pictured: At top: Rochelle McNeal, Linda McCascill, Celeste Bright.
Below, Sister Fran Gorman and S. Peggy McVetty chat with the group!)
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Lenten Pilgrimage
The Diocese of Brooklyn will be hosting the Second Lenten Pilgrimage throughout the Diocese at about 39 Churches. Each site will have a special mass, prayer, or devotion to walk us through Lent and the Diocese. You will receive a Passport at your first location and can have it stamped at each site you visit. As we visit Churches and neighborhoods, we experience the richness and diversity that makes up the Diocese of Brooklyn. The flyer and list of parishes are attached here. You can also get the App for your phone! Check the Tablet this week too.
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Dominican Sisters Conference Lenten Offerings
There are several Lenten Offering from Dominican congregations. Attached is a list. To view the flyers from any of the events, click on the images to the right or below.
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Ministry Support Fund & Application
Each year our Ministry Support Fund provides financial support of ministries, especially those in direct service to the economically poor. The Ministry Support Fund is earmarked for the support of ministry (Policy Book p. 26), especially for those in direct service to the economically poor.
Grant applications are asked to be submitted by Friday, February 23, 2024.
Please submit all applications electronically to Rosemary Vaccari at [email protected] (please note that this is the correct email address) or mail them to Rosemary at 555 Albany Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701. Attached is the application along with the policy and criteria. If you have any questions regarding the grant, please contact a member of the Ministry Support Fund Committee: Sisters Laura Arvin, Lucille De Rosa, Fran Gorman, Donna Murphy, Terry Gallagher, and Peggy Warren or Pat Koehler, Council Liaison.
-The Ministry Support Fund Committee
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Invitation to Catholic Sisters: Help Work with Migrants
The Hilton Foundation gave a grant to the Kino Institute to allow Catholic Sisters to work on the border for a month to help immigrants and also to strategize how they can work on immigration issues/advocate when they return home. The center is in Nogales, Mexico and the program is offered in March, April, September, and October. If any of our sisters have an interest, contact can be made with Reg Mc Killip, OP. at [email protected]. Also in the state of Illinois, there is a Coalition network that invites people to help/volunteer in the efforts to help migrants in the Chicago area. Weekends, a week or more - whatever. For information go to https://welcometoil.org.
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Laudato Si: Let Us Change Our Thinking #2
Nelson Mandela tells us that "Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity; it is an "act of justice." Pope Francis in Laudato Si' asks us to hear the Cry of the Poor.
How do we do that? Where do we do that? People with fearful eyes may not see or hear that cry because life may have become very comfortable for them. Pope Francis tells us that it takes generous eyes to hear and respond to what is all around us.
How do I (we) hear the Cry of the Poor? We work through local, regional, national, and international levels, using NETWORK resources, updating, informing, and supporting congregational endeavors whether they be in making investments; exploring environmental policies; supporting immigration clinics, or continuing letter writing and phone calls. Please meditate on ways we can help the poor while listening to John Foley, SJ singing. "The Cry of the Poor."
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Associate Meetings
Candidates: The next meeting will occur on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 1 PM (note the time change). S. Elaine Jahrsdoerfer will present on the topic of the Four Pillars. Special thanks to S. Vicki Toale for her excellent presentation on the Dominican charism on Sunday, February 11, 2024.
Raffle Basket for Dominican Young Adults USA: If possible, please donate Lottery tickets or scratch-offs to help create a basket of tickets to be donated for the March fundraiser for Dominican Young Adults USA. You can bring the tickets to any Associate meeting, or you can send them to the Associates' Office at 555 Albany Avenue, Amityville, New York 11701. Thank you for your support.
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Long Island Associates Meeting: Story of Bamboo
This will be the first in-person Long Island Inter-Congregational Associates Meeting since COVID and will occur in Mother Josepha Hall on Sunday, March 10th at Queen of the Rosary Motherhouse. S. Marie Mackey, CSJ will present the "Story of the Bamboo Plant:
A Transition of Communities & Ministries". Click here for the document to register.
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Join Associate Jean Donnelly for an Artistic Discussion
You are invited to a special event with our very own Artist/Associate Jean Donnelly "in dialogue" with famous Renaissance and Dominican Monk Fra Angelico. Jean is an artist who "writes" Icons and works in numerous artistic mediums. Join us on February 29, 2024, from 12:30 - 3:30 PM at Queen of the Rosary Motherhouse, 555 Albany Avenue, Amityville, NY. It will be facilitated by Sister Margaret Galiardi, OP. To register email [email protected]. See web posting and Facebook event.
While she won't be conversing with Fra Angelico, she will explain "the influences on him and his painting," said Jean. The monks "underwent a radical change." Each one "had their own cell in San Marco, study and privacy was invited, encouraged and respected. It was a different way."
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Don't Forget to Buy Tickets for Dominican Youth Movement Gala: This year, we’re pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Dominican Youth Movement, USA Gala honoring S. Barbara Schwarz, OP! We invite you to join us for an evening of celebration, prizes, and bidding on Thursday, March 21, 2024! Buy tickets here.
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Join Us Over Zoom:
Drawing Close to God
Join us on Zoom for"A Drawing to God" by S. Chela Gonzalez, OP on Thursday, February 22 at 7:30 PM.
This will be a creative and communal event! We will use art as a prayerful meditation in this Lenten season. Click here to register.
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Summer Internship Opportunities Available in Amityville
Once again, we will be offering intern opportunities for college-age students. If you know any young people who might be interested, have them check it out!
Read the flyer here. Register here and email S. Gina Fleming at [email protected].
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50th Anniversary Celebration
Please join us for the 50th Anniversary of Irish Night, on Saturday, March 2nd at St. Brigid's School in Westbury. It is sure to be an event that you won’t want to miss!
Click here for more. Thank you for your continued support of our Sisters and please pray for a successful event. Unable to attend? Click here to make a gift now and show your support.
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Calling All Soda Bread Bakers!
Our 50th Anniversary Irish Night will be celebrated at St. Brigid’s, Westbury on Saturday, March 2, 2024. We are hoping to have scores of homemade soda bread for sale at the event and count on your generous help. Bread can be dropped off in Amityville (Heritage Center) between 9 AM and noon on Friday, March 1st, or on Saturday morning, March 2nd at St. Brigid’s. Please label each bread as “seeds” or “seedless”.
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Sweepstakes Raffle Tickets
For many years we have asked sisters to help us by selling chance books for Irish Night in their local parishes. This year we are doing something different by offering Sweepstakes Raffle tickets. The Sweepstake tickets will be sold for $10 each and six for $50. If anyone would like to sell them within their parish, please contact S. Peggy McVetty. Thank you for your monetary donations and raffle items. Thank you for your support of this 50th Irish Night!
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Thursday, February 22, 2024, 7:30 PM: Join us on Zoom for "A Drawing to God" by S. Chela Gonzalez, OP. Click here to register. | |
Saturday, March 2, 2024, 6 PM: 50th Anniversary of Irish Night. | |
Thursday, March 21, 2024, 7:30 PM: Dominican Youth Movement Gala. Buy tickets here. | |
April 13, 2024: Spring Community Assembly. | |
April 13, 2024: “Celebration of Consecrated Life Today” at Immaculate Conception Parish, lower Church from noon to 4 pm with Mass at 4 pm in the lower Church. A simple lunch will be served at noon followed by the prayer and program. More details to come. | |
Sunday, May 5, 2024, 2 PM: Diocesan Jubilee date with Mass at Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston. Reception and dinner to follow for our guests. | |
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Hybrid Programs at Mount Saint Mary
Mount St. Mary House of Prayer is offering Hybrid programs in March. Attached are the flyers for March 5 and March 11, 2024.
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Summer Retreats at Blauvelt
Two retreats will be hosted in Blauvelt this summer. For any questions or additional information, contact S. Joan Agro at [email protected] or 845-359-7074. Attached is the flyer.
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Lenten/Summer Offerings at Notre Dame Retreat House
“Practicing Lent one Day at a Time” with the Not-So Typical Church Ladies. Faith meets a fresh perspective - an exploration of faith that's vibrant, diverse, and deeply personal on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Read the full newsletter here. Go to their website for more retreat offerings. There are also many summer offerings at the retreat center. Click here to peruse the brochure.
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S. Margaret Palliser's Presentation on Fra Angelico
Sister Margaret Palliser is offering a presentation on Fra Angelico in the Saints and Saintly Dominican Series on Monday, February 19, at 3 PM in Dominican Convent, Sparkill, and on Thursday, February 22, at 3 PM on Zoom. Please see the attached flyer here for information to register. We ask that you please register via the Registration Form or at this link, so that we will be able to gather efficiently the information necessary, especially for sending you the link and any additional materials if you are going to be a Zoom participant.
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God is Weaving A Tapestry of Your Life!
Inviting Women and Men to an Afternoon of Reflection. Come for Nourishment, Personal Enrichment, and Spiritual Growth. Hosted by the Associates of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
Date and Time: Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 1 - 3:45 pm. Doors open at 12:30 pm followed by Mass at 4 pm.
Location: Dominican Convent, 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY 10976
Cost: Free Will Offering
RSVP: Please respond by February 29, 2024, to Carole Davide at [email protected] or 845-570-0242.
Attached is the flyer.
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Volunteer Specialist Needed at Catholic Charities
A volunteer Specialist is needed at Catholic Charities in Brooklyn and Queens. The Volunteer Specialist manages the Volunteer Program, part of the Office of Mission Witness of Mercy program. The Volunteer Specialist will assist with day-to-day activities in the Witness of Mercy program, focusing directly on volunteer management, orientations, data entry, and follow-up and coordinating of volunteer opportunities. To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to: Richard Slizeski SVP Office of Mission at Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens on 191 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 or e-mail: [email protected].
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Thought You'd Like to Know | |
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Long Beach Condo
There is availability for retreat and vacation for any sister at the Condo during the months of February and March. Please contact Sister Judy Olsen at 917-991-2054 if you would like to make a reservation.
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Dear Dominican Family,
My family and I are grateful to you for your prayers, presence, and support on Pat's journey of faith.
Love with thanks,
S. Marjorie Devlin, OP, and the Kelly Family
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