August 10, 2011

New communications/technology resource appointed

dsc_aneesah Sister Aneesah McNamee, OP (Adrian) has been hired as communications/technology resource person for the Dominican Sisters Conference (DSC). Sister Mary Sue Kennedy, OP (Adrian), executive director of the DSC, extends a welcome to Sister Aneesah and expresses gratitude to Dana Brantley, outgoing communications/technology resource person.

Sister Aneesah’s ministry has been in visual communications, print media and online communication. She has a master of fine arts in graphic design and a great deal of experience in computer technology. She did the design and photo editing for the book “Drawn by Love: A History of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine,” written by Sister Marie Theres Hanna, OP, as well as the design for many other publications.

Sister Aneesah has also spearheaded the Facebook page “Dominican Sisters Looking to the Future” and sees the importance and relevance of social media as a form of connection and outreach and a form of preaching in today’s world.

Dana Brantley has taken a full-time position with a daily newspaper near her location in Greensburg, Kentucky. Dana began working part-time as communications/technology resource person for the Dominican Leadership Conference in January 2010, and continued in the position when the DLC merged with the Dominican Federation to become the Dominican Sisters Conference. Dana formerly worked for the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine, Kentucky (now Dominican Sisters of Peace).

Sister Aneesah lives in community in Alpharetta, Georgia, and will do her work from there.

August 10, 2011

Falling Waters Preserve opens to public

On July 24, about 100 members of the public joined representatives of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, Town of Saugerties and Esopus Creek Conservancy (ECC) and Scenic Hudson at a ribbon cutting to mark the opening of Falling Waters Preserve. Scenic Hudson reached an agreement with the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill to conserve the property and permit public access for five years.

August 10, 2011

Summer camp for girls is in its ninth year

Sister Emily Bordages, OP, teaching a new dance.

By Sister Wanda Jinks, OP

At the heart of all ministry, what is most important is RELATIONSHIP…

In this day and age, many congregations are paying special attention to creating relationships that allow others to share in our Dominican way of life. Many of us have created programs for the Dominican laity, Dominican Young Adults or College Preachers, and even High School preachers. And we do this WHY? In order to share and nurture the seeds of our charism—mainly through the four pillars. While the Dominican Sisters of Houston are actively involved in sowing seeds within the above mentioned groups, for the past nine years, they have been including one more age group: the pre-teen / middle school girls. And how do we do this? We invite them to a week of summer camp at Circle Lake.

houston_camp_sharon — Sister Sharon Steglich greeting old friends at camp registration. Sister Sharon is celebrating her 50th year as a first grade teacher.

Using the pillars of prayer, study, community and service, the sisters have organized an annual summer camp that provides an opportunity for young girls ages 10 through 14 years to share a week of summer fun. During this experience, deep in the piney woods of east Texas, the girls have a chance to get to know the sisters while engaging in fun activities as well as prayer, learning, community building, and growing in appreciation of caring for and helping others.

As we all know, ministry is never done in isolation—it takes many hands to do the work of our Dominican life. That is why the camp is staffed not only by sisters, but also by members of the Dominican Family, their Partners in Preaching, and friends. Young women from St. Pius X High School served as counselors. Together, everyone shares the work of caring for and teaching the campers.

For a week in mid-July, 28 girls enjoyed learning the core values of our Dominican life through a variety of activities such as Morning Prayer, Archery, challenging Initiative Games, Swimming, Baking, Arts and Crafts, Guitar Lessons, Singing, Wood Carving, Skit Night, Movie Night, Dancing, and much more.

Reading the campers’ closing comments, we learned several things. First of all, the campers “had a blast!” and many of them want to return next year. Secondly, many of the girls had never experienced being around sisters, and really didn’t know what to expect. It was refreshing to read how much they enjoyed sharing the week with the sisters and learning more about Dominicans. The “Nun Run” activity, where the girls learned about the sisters on staff, was a great hit! Thirdly, it warmed the heart to know that some of the campers were so inspired by their Dominican high school counselors that they, too, want to come back in a few years to be camp counselors themselves. It’s quite a tribute to the Dominican education these high school students have received, and to how they are already preaching with their lives!

Visit the official camp web site to enjoy more photos and videos from the Houston Dominican Sisters Summer Camp 2011, including photos and bios of the sisters and others who run the camp.

houston_camp_wanda Sister Wanda is a certified instructor at the camp. During the school year, she is a special education teacher with the Houston Idependent School Disctrict.

August 10, 2011

Feast days bring celebrations of reception, professions

Sharing a joyful moment after Sister Joaquina Pacheco Villar’s reception are, from left: Sister Maribeth Howell, OP; Sister Corinne Sanders, OP; Sister Joaquina; Sister Kathleen Schanz, OP; Sister Tarianne DeYonker, OP; and Sister Attracta Kelly, OP. Photos by Melinda P. Ziegler

Adrian Dominicans

adrian_profess_07 — Sister Joaquina Pacheco-Villar (left) and Sister Xiomara Mendéz-Hernández

Amidst joyful hymns and prayers to our Holy Father Dominic, the Adrian Dominican Sisters added to the joy of the Feast of St. Dominic on Aug. 8 by witnessing the Rites of Reception into the Novitiate of Sister Joachina Pacheco-Villar and the First Profession of Vows of Sister Xiomara Mendéz-Hernández, OP. The Rites took place in the context of a special bilingual liturgy in St. Catherine Chapel, on the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ motherhouse campus. Both women are natives of the Dominican Republic and former Adrian Dominican Associates.

adrian_profess_01 Sister Durstyne Farnan, OP, director of vocations, welcomed the family members and friends of Sisters Xiomara and Joaquina, as well as Adrian Dominican sisters, associates and co-workers, to the special event. The liturgy was also recorded and streamed live.

Speaking in both Spanish and in English, Sister Rosa Monique Peña, OP, reflected on the Scriptural image found in Isaiah 52:7-10: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who preach good news.” She spoke of the beauty of the feet of St. Dominic, who walked throughout Europe to preach the Gospel. Dominicans today are also sent out to preach the Good News throughout the world. “Our feet are obedient to the wishes of the heart, the demands of life and the beckoning of the Spirit,” Sister Rosa Monique said.

Sister Xiomara Méndez-Hernández professes her vows to Sister Attracta Kelly, OP. Looking on are her witnesses, Sister Nancy Murray, OP, left, and Sister Arlene Kosmatka, OP, right.

Both Rites began with the formal examination of the women as to their readiness to take the next step in their formation as Dominican preachers of Adrian. Sister Patricia Leonard, OP, director of formation, also testified as to their readiness. Her words were translated into Spanish by Sister Ana Feliz, OP, and Sister Margarita Ruiz, OP.

“It is my intent to commit myself to be faithful to my loving relationship with God, to love better my sisters and brothers and all God’s creation, to continue listening and responding to God’s call in my life,” Sister Xiomara stated. “It is also my intention to keep my eyes, my ears and my heart open in order to be attentive to the cries of the needy. I want to preach the Word of God as I seek truth, make peace and reverence life, wherever I go and whatever I do. And I want to do it with all of you, my dearest Dominican Sisters of Adrian.”

Sister Xiomara professed her vow of obedience to Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Dominic and Sister Attracta, as well as those who will succeed her as prioress of the congregation. Sister Attracta blessed and presented the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ logo Sister Xiomara, identifying her as a vowed member of the congregation. The ritual continued with the signing of the formal profession papers by Sisters Xiomara and Attracta; Father Robert Kelly, OP, the presider; and Sister Xiomara’s witnesses, Sister Arlene Kosmatka, OP, and Sister Nancy Murray, OP. After Sister Attracta affirmed the profession, the assembly burst into joyful applause as the choir sang the Dominican Magnificat.

A native of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, Sister Xiomara is the daughter of Eleuterio Hernández and the late Lucas Carmen Hernández. She earned her Licentiate in Industrial Arts at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo in 2002 and a master’s degree in industrial sewing from INFOTEP Santo Domingo in 2006. Before entering, Sister Xiomara owned a fashion design business and taught fashion design. She had been an active associate for three years before entering the congregation in 2008.

The assembly also rejoiced at the reception of Sister Joaquina into the novitiate. After being called forward and examined as to her own readiness to move forward in the formation process, Sister Joaquina received a copy of the Adrian Dominican Constitution and Statutes. Her formation during her novitiate years will be under the direction of Sister Maribeth Howell, OP, the incoming director of formation.

adrian_profess_06 Sister Joaquina earned a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of the Third Millennium, Dominican Republic, in 2006 and a master’s in human sexuality and therapy with couples from Universidad de la Tercera Edad, Dominican Republic. She taught at the University of the Third Age, specialized in treating victims of domestic violence, and was involved in group therapy and the psychology of geriatric patients. When she entered the congregation in October 2010, Sister Joaquina had already been involved with the Adrian Dominican Sisters as an associate for several years.

The celebration of the Feast of St. Dominic, which had begun with Morning Prayer in Holy Rosary Chapel, continued with a festive dinner, a reception for sisters, associates and co-workers, and evening prayer in St. Catherine Chapel.

Story and photos submitted by the Adrian Dominicans. Photos by Melinda P. Ziegler.

August 10, 2011

Dominican congregations, groups celebrate feast day

Feast of Saint Dominic

What would Saint Dominic be preaching in the United States today? Is Saint Dominic’s preaching relevant for our times, or was it solely aimed at his own?

There are so many ways to approach these questions. One way is to revisit Dominic’s last will and testament: “Let your treasure be voluntary poverty, guard humility, have charity.” Not only did Saint Dominic live this message, these were the values that he yearned to transmit to his followers, like you and me! Wouldn’t you agree that our contemporary culture is in need of these values? For me, the Dominican tradition propels me to face the challenges in our country like consumerism, greed, and fundamentalism with hope, courage, and compassion. As you grapple with the meaning of Dominic’s deathbed legacy for you, try to discover how you can be an incarnation of Dominic’s wildest vision here in the United States and beyond.

My prayer for you on this feast of our founder Saint Dominic is
that you grow in your commitment to BE the GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST in our times, much like Dominic was in his.

Sister Margaret Ormond, OP
Prioress
Dominican Sisters of Peace

Blauvelt: Dominican Volunteers and the New York/New Jersey Chapter of Dominican Young Adults were blessed by the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt during Vespers for the Vigil of the Feast of St. Dominic. — Blauvelt: Dominican Volunteers and the New York/New Jersey Chapter of Dominican Young Adults were blessed
by the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt during Vespers for the Vigil of the Feast of St. Dominic.

Racine Dominicans: Sisters Jean Ackerman and Rose Marie Dischler, Fr. Byron Haaland (presider) and Sister Lois Aceto (proclaimer of Gospel and homilist). Photo by Sister Shirley Kubat.

feast_amityville — Amityville: More than 400 sisters, associates, former members and volunteers joined in celebrating the Feast of Saint Dominic in St. Albert Chapel at the Motherhouse in Amityville. Those present also received copies of the Corporate Stance for Immigration Reform in English and Spanish. The sisters also collected more than $1,000 for the famine in Africa.

Sinsinawa: Brother Gilbert Hensley, OP; Lystra Long, OP; and Mary McNulty, OP, process into the chapel.

Solemnity of St. Dominic 2011
Homily by Fr. Brian Mulcahy, O.P.
From Dominican Daily

Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology: Reflection on St. Dominic and his vision for the Dominican Order by DSPT student Br. Ambrose Sigman, OP on the collaborative blog by the Dominican Students of the Western Province

Did you know that Saint Dominic is also the patron saint of astronomers? Read more about the life of Saint Dominic on Wikipedia.

Sparkill: The Dominican Volunteers visited the sisters at Dominican Convent in Sparkill on the Feast of St. Dominic celebration for liturgy and supper. The volunteers gathered for a photo in the courtyard by a statue of St. Dominic done by Rosemary Morris, OP (Sparkill).

Monthly Archives: August 2011

New communications/technology resource appointed

Falling Waters Preserve opens to public

Summer camp for girls is in its ninth year

Feast days bring celebrations of reception, professions

Dominican congregations, groups celebrate feast day