Associates and Laity

July 3, 2024

DSC Hires New Communicator

I am delighted to announce our new DSC Communicator Natasha Edwards. Natasha will work closely with our Team to promote communications that fosters collaboration in support of the mission and vision of the DSC in a way that facilitates interaction among leaders, sisters, and associates of the DSC member congregations.

Natasha has a long history working in the nonprofit sector with expertise in marketing communications, creating and managing websites, fundraising campaigns, technology and training. Her experience- and her passion for supporting those doing meaningful work help her develop solutions that meet the many needs of her clients. Natasha thrives on using her creativity to engage others in the missions of organizations.

Natasha most recently held the position of Director of Marketing and Communications with the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood where she enjoyed connecting the Long Island Community with the Sisters of St. Joseph and the many ways they steward their mission; Uniting All in God’s Love through marketing and communication initiatives.

She holds a Master of Arts degree in marketing communications and Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in visual communications from the New York Institute of Technology – Old Westbury. Born and raised in New York as the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, Natasha and her family most recently moved to North Carolina.

In her down time, she enjoys hanging out with her family and supporting her three boys as the quintessential sports mom. She also enjoys reading and travelling, which she says, “opens me up to a world of what if…….”

Natasha will start her position this coming Monday July 8th.

We welcome Natasha with her many gifts to this position, and we hold her in our prayers for success at this very exciting time for the Dominican Sisters Conference.

June 5, 2024

Transforming Grace, Transforming Consciousness, and Transforming Justice

Three representatives from the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville Congregation – Leadership Council Member Sister Diane Morgan, Co-Director of the Communications Office Debbie DeRupo, and Justice Promoter Sister Emily Masse – attended the Leadership Conference of Women Religious event called “Transforming Grace, Transforming Consciousness, and Transforming Justice” in Pittsburg, PA on Sunday, April 28th to Wednesday, May 1st.

The objective of the meeting was “to gather elected leaders, communicators and justice promoters to deepen, design and continue the work of readying ourselves for transformation…exploring the unique contributions Religious life can make in the efforts to transform, ourselves, our institutes and the world we serve,” according to the agenda of the event.

Eighty-seven Religious Congregations were represented including sisters, brothers, and laity. Although they were from different cultures and political ideologies, attendees were respectful and open to ideas as well as united in a shared mission of transformation.

“All 242 participants were asked to keep their eyes focused on the Gospel mandate, Catholic Social teaching, and Jesus Christ,” said Sister Emily Masse.

“I kept coming back to the idea that we need to give ourselves and others the grace to be wrong, to change our perspective, to not have all the answers,” said Debra DeRupo, “Instead, we should see the value of a person who can evolve and learn from mistakes or misconceptions. Humanity is imperfect, we should embrace that.”

Keynote Speakers included S. Elise Garcia, OP and S. Chris Koehlhoffer, IHM. The event was organized by Sister Carol Zinn, SSJ; Bridget Bearss, RSCJ; and Annmarie Sanders, IHM.

Sister Diane Morgan found inspiration in a quote from Sister Chris Koellhoffer, IHM, in her videotaped keynote address, “What is ours to do in this beautiful yet wounded world?”

Sister Emily Masse was impressed with the recounting of ongoing transformation in Religious life, explaining how “in the past Religious Congregations have been focused on direct service to unmet needs…then came systemic change with the help of NETWORK (an advocacy group founded 50 years ago, inspired by Catholic sisters) to move into political advocacy with a transformation of consciousness to join the rest of the world.”

To learn more about the Transforming Grace initiative and to read reflections, go to the LCWR website. A video from the group Stand Together was shared at the conference and may help us understand how we may shift our consciousness. It is only eight minutes long but is powerful. Watch it here.

June 5, 2024

Illinois Secretary of State Awards Aquinas Literacy Center Volunteer Tutor and Student

On Wednesday, May 1, Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian, Alexi Giannoulias, announced the winners of the 2024 Spotlight on Literacy Awards that recognizes volunteer tutors and students in Illinois literacy programs.

Ten adult learners received the Spotlight on Achievement Award, and 10 volunteer tutors received the Spotlight on Service Award during a ceremony at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. Aquinas Literacy Center was proud to honor Georgina Garcia, an adult English learner, and Mimi Miller, a volunteer literacy tutor, with this prestigious award. Georgina and Mimi work hard every day to learn and teach English.

“These learners exemplify the best of our state, showing that even through adversity and challenges that seem insurmountable, a desire to learn is a powerful tool. I’m honored to recognize the hard work and perseverance of these individuals,” Giannoulias said. “I’m also honored to recognize the volunteer tutors who saw a need in their community and decided to make a difference. I’m grateful to you for your selfless sacrifice.”

This year, the Secretary of State office has awarded grants totaling over $5.7 million in support of adult, family and workplace literacy programs throughout the state. The grant funding aids 98 programs to support more than 9,300 adults in all regions of Illinois. More than 4,000 volunteer tutors are offering their time through this initiative.

Since 1996, Aquinas Literacy Center has offered individualized instruction in the English language to the adult immigrant population of McKinley Park and surrounding areas on the Southwest Side of Chicago. Through one-on-one tutoring, combined with supplemental learning opportunities, learners are empowered to transform their lives by acquiring skills to become successful parents, productive workers and responsible citizens. Aquinas Literacy Center is sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. For more information about Aquinas Literacy Center, please email sabrina@aquinasliteracycenter.org or call 773.927.0512

April 23, 2024

Molloy Students Commit to DYM in Grace-filled Day

Thirteen young adults made a yearlong commitment to Molloy University’s Dominican Young Adult Chapter on Sunday, April 7, 2024 during Mass at the Motherhouse. As part of their commitment, they pledged to live out the four pillars of Dominican Life (prayer, study, community and mission) in their everyday lives through praying alone and communally, studying the Word of God and the Signs of the Times, and participating in local monthly chapter meetings.

“We, the Dominican Sisters and guests, had the privilege of witnessing their commitment,” said S. Gina Fleming, promoter of youth for the Congregation. “It had been nearly four years, due to the COVID pandemic, since we have been able to have a ceremony such as this. As the sisters, associates, and other guests looked on these young people, beaming with joy and enthusiasm, committed themselves to being more closely connected to our Congregation and claiming their identities as part of our Dominican Family.”

Later that day, the students, associates and sisters got to know each other at an ice cream social.

“It was wonderful to see the students meeting our elderly sisters and interacting with them,” continued Sister Gina. “Of course, sharing ice cream sundaes, with all the toppings, was a must.”

As part of the afternoon, the sisters, associates, and young adults were introduced to the We Move Forward Together committee, an initiative that invites individuals and groups to connect with sisters through mission. The students learned about the variety of programs that have been offered and are currently being offered both in person and online for them to get more involved in. They were encouraged to become ambassadors for the committee by letting their families and friends know about the varied programs.

March 26, 2024

Associate Spotlight: Rob Cammarata, Amityville

Rob Cammarata, an associate of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, will be leading a special workshop called “Faith Divided: Christian Nationalism and the Challenge of Catholic Social Teaching” on April 10 at 7PM via Zoom sponsored by the We Move Forward Together Committee.

Christian Nationalism is the belief that our country is defined by Christianity, and that the government should promote it above others. This workshop “is very relevant to our faith and our world today,” said Cammarata. It asks important questions like: “Why are we divided and how can we, who are disciples of Jesus, help heal the divisions that exist, especially at this point in time?”

Rob is a seasoned preacher, who has been pursuing a calling in the Church for decades. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees concentrating in Theology and Management/Administration. His first full-time ministry was as a Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry at a parish in New Jersey. He also worked as a Director of Religious Education at St. Peter of Alcantara in Port Washington, NY and St. Gertrude in Bayville, NY.

But most people on Long Island know Rob for his role as Director of the Diocesan Office of Parish Stewardship. He was a popular speaker, encouraging others to use their gifts to connect with God and the community. That position opened him up to the larger Church. “I was invited to become a speaker and workshop presenter at many international and national Catholic conferences,” he explained. He also co-wrote a children’s book called, “Taking Care of God’s Gifts: Stewardship, a Way of Life” with another Amityville Dominican Associate Laurie Whitfield. It was printed three times in 11 countries!

Most recently, he has served at parishes. At St. Brigid’s Church in Westbury, he served as Pastoral Associate for Administration for 17 years. Now, you can find him at St. Matthew’s Church in Dix Hills as the Parish Business Manager.

In between these full-time ministries, he has inspired others as a teacher. He taught theology and Catholic Social Teaching courses at Molloy University in Rockville Centre, NY. He also taught adult courses at the Pastoral Formation Institute — School of Missionary Disciples for the Diocese, as well as leading in-service courses on theology for teachers. He has inspired engaged couples by leading them through Pre-Cana courses before their wedding days. With Dominican Associate Suzanne Richards, this past summer, he taught a leadership program for Dominican interns. They will be leading that course again this summer!

Cammarata was inspired to teach by the wonderful Dominican sisters he encountered as a student at Our Holy Redeemer in Freeport, NY and St. Agnes High School in Rockville Centre, NY.

“The many Dominican sisters I had for teachers and colleagues that I came to know over the years, in my opinion, all were signs of ‘joy and hope’ – living out the Holy Preaching in wonderful ways,” said Cammarata.

Cammarata has been an associate for 14 years! He is grateful to Amityville Dominican Sister Marjorie McGregor who, along with others, who encouraged him to bond with the Congregation. “ It has been and continues to be a wonderful journey,” said Cammarata. “I believe that being a Dominican Associate, for me, is one of the most wonderful ways I can live out my discipleship: connected with a community of prophets, teachers, and healers. It can’t get much better than being around all the wisdom, knowledge, and wonderful faith life these women espouse and foster! They are truly great women of our church – and their work and ministry has helped tens of thousands of God’s people. Amazing!”