About Ashley Apollonio-Hairston

Posts by Ashley Apollonio-Hairston:

Literacy center director featured in Chicago Tribune

Springfield Dominicans

Sister Kathleen Ryan, OP, director of the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora, Illinois, was featured in a recent article in the Life & Style section of the Chicago Tribune. Amy Manion, past president of the center’s board, had the following to say about Sister Kathy in the article: “There are two kinds of people—battery chargers and battery drainers. Sister Kathleen (Ryan) is a battery charger. She inspires the students and tutors.” Read article

Dominicans in Iraq ‘We have family in Iraq’

“We continue to share our daily struggle with you, hoping that our cry will reach the world… We entered the third week of displacement. Things are moving very slowly in terms of providing shelter, food, and necessities for the people. There are still people living in the streets… We are speaking about two minorities (Christian and Yezedians), who lost their land, their homes, their belongings, their jobs, their money, some have been separated from their families and loved ones, and all are persecuted because of their religion… It is hard to believe that this is happening in the 21st century.”

Sisters recognized for human trafficking efforts

Above from left: Houston Dominican Sisters Kitty Carter, OP; Jane Abell, OP; and Ceil Roeger, OP at the UAHT event.
Above from left: Houston Dominican Sisters Kitty Carter, OP; Jane Abell, OP; and Ceil Roeger, OP at the UAHT event.

Houston Dominicans

In July, the Dominican Sisters of Houston were recognized for their longstanding commitment to raising awareness of human trafficking. United Against Human Trafficking (UAHT), formerly Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition, held a gathering in July to announce a name change and thank volunteers, friends and supporters. The organization presented the sisters with the North Star Award “for your long-standing support in the fight for freedom.” Maria Trujillo, executive director of UAHT, noted that the Dominican Sisters were one of the first groups in Houston to raise awareness about human trafficking in the late 1990s, and the congregation was one of the first members of the Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition.

Helping to rebuild homes, lives in the Rockaways

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Dominican Family Build

By Gina Fleming, OP (Amityville)

During the week of August 17–21, 20 sisters, associates and young people from Amityville, Blauvelt, Sparkill, and Sinsinawa participated in the first Dominican Family Build. We all came together to help the people in the Rockaways, Long Island, New York, try to rebuild their homes and their lives.

op_family_build3We worked at three different sites during the week two in Brooklyn, and one in Far Rockaway. We hung dry wall, mudded, and did a lot of sanding. It was hard work but thankfully the weather, which wasn’t too warm, cooperated and all was done in a great spirit of collaboration and fun!

The spirit of family was very evident, as we worked together during the day and then went back to the places where we were staying to share a meal and gather for prayer and reflection on our days. Sister Pat Hogan, OP (Sparkill) brought along a great group from her parish as well as other sisters. The associates, young people, and other friends from Amityville were also there to lend a hand in the project. Sister Maryellen O’Grady, OP (Amityville), director of Dominican Sisters in Committed Collaboration (OPSCC) also joined us.

Many thanks go to those who put us up for the week and those who provided meals for us after a hard day’s work. Thanks so much for the great food! To all those who donated financially to assist us in this build, our sincere thanks to you too! Hope to see you all next year.

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