Dominican Collaborative Novitiate
class of 2006-2007

Sister Rose O. Ahaneku of the Divine Presence is a first-year novice from the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell, N.J. A native of Nigeria, Rose earned a B.S. in Finance and Banking and a post graduate diploma in Project Management. She worked for 17 years for two oil companies, Oyo State Governor’s office, a broadcasting corporation, and a Justice and Peace Commission. Rose was a missionary in Rome for three years and a founding member of a U.N. nonprofit organization on aging in Africa. Rose has been living in the U.S. since 2003, earning a B.A. in Theology from Caldwell College and volunteering at the U.N. Her goal this canonical year is to deepen her relationship with God.

Sister Sara Bingham is a first-year novice from the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan. Sara was born and raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She studied Broadcast Communication at Central Michigan University. Sara spent time working at a National Public Radio affiliate in Mount Pleasant, Mich., and as news director at WLEN Radio in Adrian. Sara came to know the Adrian Dominicans through her work. Regular visits to the Motherhouse soon drew her not only to the Congregation but also to Siena Heights University as Director of Communications, a post she held until entering the community. Sara is interested in finding ways to use her skills to give voice to the voiceless as a Dominican Sister.

Sister Patricia A. Dual is a first-year novice from the Dominican Sisters St. Mary of the Springs in Columbus, Ohio. Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, Pat is the mother of two adult sons, Chorya and Christopher Dual. She earned a B.A. in Religion from St. Leo University. Prior to entering, Pat spent 31 years working for Sentara Health System, primarily in their finance department. She also spent many years serving as a volunteer or a coordinator in various parish ministries, as well as in community hospice programs. Pat came to know the Columbus Dominicans while serving on the Diocesan Pastoral Council for the Diocese of Richmond. In the future, Pat is interested in working in parish ministry.

Sister Elise D. García is a second-year novice from the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Elise grew up abroad—in Mexico, Uruguay, and Egypt—and has spent the past 25 years working with nonprofit organizations, including NETWORK, Common Cause, and Mary’s Pence. Prior to entering, she co-founded Santuario Sisterfarm, an ecological sanctuary in the Texas Hill Country dedicated to cultivating biodiversity and cultural diversity. Elise is profoundly interested in the insights of the mystics and the New Cosmology, and their implications for religious life today.

Sister Cecily Thanh Nguyen is a first-year novice from the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan. Thanh came to the U.S. from Vietnam with her family in 1992, settling in San Jose, California. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Social Work from San Jose State University in 1999. Prior to entering, Thanh worked with a nonprofit agency as a family and child counselor for six years, primarily with Vietnamese families. She first met the Adrian Dominicans through another Vietnamese member of the Congregation and was impressed by the mission and vision. Her interest this year is to go deeply into her relationship with God and to bring God’s love to others.

Sister Roselli Tria is a first-year novice from the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, California. Roselli was born in Manila, Philippines, and came to California at the age of 19. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, she began an 18-year career with Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., in Santa Clara, California, during which time she lived in Tokyo, Japan, for six and a half years. Roselli also holds a Master of Arts degree in Spirituality from Santa Clara University. Prior to joining the Dominicans, Roselli spent a year as a Franciscan Covenant Volunteer living in a lay community and working at San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, California. She is very grateful to the Franciscan Friars for helping her recognize her religious vocation.