October 23, 2013

Tacoma Dominicans Celebration of 125 years comes to close

In 1888, young Sister Thomasina and her two companions, Sisters de Chantal and Aloysia, in their love for and commitment to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, arrived in Washington State, then known as the Northwest Territory. This year, the Tacoma Dominican Sisters are celebrating 125 years of ministry at parishes in Washington, Oregon, and California where they staffed schools. In September, Sister Mary Pat Murphy, OP, preached a homily at Holy Cross Parish, Tacoma, and this month, Sister Patty Morisset, OP, a native of Bellingham, preached a homily at Assumption Parish, Bellingham. The Tacoma Dominicans will complete their quasquicentennial with a Mass Oct. 26 at Holy Rosary Parish in Seattle, presided by Archbishop Peter Sartain.

October 23, 2013

UN Briefing Day of the Girl: Education key to transforming lives

Oct. 11 marked the second annual Day of the Girl Child, established by the United Nations General Assembly as a response to the urgent problem of neglect and devaluation of girls around the world. The event is an opportunity to celebrate girls’ lives and power, to raise awareness of the challenges they continue to face, and to advance their opportunities through support and advocacy. For its second observance, the theme was “Innovating for Girls’ Education.”

October 23, 2013

Sister Jean honored for ‘dedication to social justice’

Adrian Dominicans

Siena Heights University presented the St. Dominic Award Oct. 4 to Sister Jean Hughes, OP, in recognition of her “lifetime of dedication to social justice and serving the poor in our world.” Sister Jean taught for 15 years in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and served as principal of her Alma Mater, Aquinas High School in Chicago, during its final years before closing. She has also served as a community organizer at the Eighth Day Center for Justice in Chicago and, for the past 20 years, has ministered at St. Leonard’s Ministries, helping formerly incarcerated men and women to rebuild their lives. She is also the Justice Promoter for the Dominican Midwest Mission Chapter of the Adrian Dominicans. Read more

October 23, 2013

Photos of the Week – Exhibit honors sister artist’s legacy

houston_painting — Above inset: (from left) Raymond Henderson, American Guild of Organists; Sister Elaine Jahrsdoerfer, OP, liturgy director for the Dominican Sisters of Amityville motherhouse, Amityville, New York; and organist Cynthia Holden.

amityville_organ_use — Above: The 1878 Jardine Pipe Organ in the historic Rosary Hall chapel at the Dominican Sisters of Amityville motherhouse.

Houston Dominicans

Sister Mary Agnes Malone, OP, joined the Dominican Sisters of Houston in 1903 at age 17. She studied and taught art and music. As a young sister, she painted murals at a former mansion known as Bishop’s Palace in Galveston. The Galveston Historical Society hosted a recent exhibit there featuring Sister Mary Agnes’ murals and 28 paintings.

houston_painting_2 In 1895, as a young girl, Clara Malone was brought from Ohio to Galveston, Texas, to live with her orphaned cousin by her Uncle Nicholas Gallagher, who was better known to Galvestonians as Bishop Gallagher. Young Clara attended the Dominican Sisters’ Sacred Heart Academy as a boarder. In 1903, at age 17, she joined the Dominican Sisters and was given the name Sister Mary Agnes. She studied and taught art and music. As a young Dominican sister, Sister Mary Agnes painted murals in the main reception room of the Bishop’s Palace.

The Bishop’s Palace was built between 1887 and 1893 for Walter Gresham and his family and was originally known as Gresham’s Castle. It was purchased by the Catholic Diocese of Galveston in 1923 and was the residence of Bishop Byrne. When the diocesan offices moved to Houston, the diocese opened the mansion to the public in 1963 and provided tours. The fees from the tours were used to support the Newman Center that operated in the basement.

Sister Mary Agnes Malone, OP, in an undated photo

In the summer of 2013, the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston sold the mansion to the Galveston Historical Foundation. After the purchase of the building, the foundation planned a celebration which featured not only the 15 murals on display at the palace but also many of the other pieces Sister Mary Agnes painted during her life. After her retirement in 1968 until her death in 1980, she was able to focus on her art. Her paintings range from landscapes, Texas bluebonnets, and other flowers to those with religious themes, a bust of St. Dominic, the nativity and her famous painting depicting Mary giving the rosary to St. Dominic.

Sister Mary Magdalen Hanel, OP, Dominican Sisters of Houston archivist, with some of Sister Mary Agnes’ paintings

In mid-summer, Sister Mary Agnes’ great nephew, Joe Synan, a board member of the Galveston Historical Foundation, contacted Sister Mary Magdalen Hanel, OP, archivist, for the Dominican Sisters of Houston requesting her assistance in gathering Sister Mary Agnes’ paintings. Many of her paintings can be seen in our houses, schools and administration building. In response to Joe’s request, Sister Mary Magdalen sent an invitation to the sisters inviting them to lend any painting(s) they might have to the exhibit. Joe had sent a similar invitation to members of Sister Mary Agnes’ family. As a result, 28 paintings were made available for display.

The exhibit at Bishop’s Palace opened with a reception and lecture by Joe on Sept. 14 and closed Oct. 4. Because many of the sisters were unable to travel to Galveston, the exhibit was moved to St. Dominic Villa on Oct. 5. The paintings were on display there until Oct. 16.

Story and photos courtesy of the Dominican Sisters of Houston

October 9, 2013

Faith & Film: Enough Said

“Enough Said” is a romantic comedy/drama in which Eva (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a divorced masseuse, meets Albert (James Gandolfini), a divorced librarian of classic television shows. Eva and Albert meet at a party. Even though they admit they’re not attracted to each other at first, they have enough in common (including raising daughters preparing to go away to college) that they agree to go on a date. They enter into a relationship cautiously, since both have been hurt before.

At the same party, Eva also meets Marianne, a poet. Marianne becomes a client of Eva’s. As Eva works with Marianne, they discover that they are raising teenage daughters. Eva and Marianne become friends and talk about poetry, children, and ex-husbands.

At first, “Enough Said” is pleasant enough, but nothing special. It is nice to see a movie about a relationship between two 40+ adults who don’t have “movie star” good looks.

A plot twist occurs about halfway through the movie. I won’t reveal the turn of events, but I will say that the twist threatens Eva and Albert’s relationship. Eventually, it causes Eva to reflect on all her relationships.

After the plot twist, there’s a wonderful scene in which Albert smiles sadly and says to Eva, “This may sound corny, but, you kinda broke my heart.” Gandolfini delivers this line perfectly; it’s neither to strong nor too soft. You can see the pain in this big but sensitive guy.

Gandolfini’s performance is the reason to see the movie. Most of us know his work as Tony, the mob boss, from the HBO series “The Sopranos.” His role as the shy Albert, who doesn’t always know how to express himself, shows a different side of Gandolfini. Gandolfini’s sudden death this summer at the age of 51 makes his performance all the more poignant. Who knew he’d be so good in a romantic comedy? Julia Louis-Dreyfus is also good as the insecure Eva.

The other interesting dimension of the movie is its analysis of Eva’s relationships. Eva is a lonely person. She becomes too close to Chloe, one of her daughter Ellen’s friends, as well as to her client Marianne. When constantly finding Eva engaged in Chloe’s life, Ellen tells her: “I want my Mom back!” When Eva tells Ellen that Chloe is needy, Ellen perceptively asks, “Who’s needy?”

“Enough Said” is being marketed as a comedy, but it isn’t very funny. Still, if you persevere through the rather slow first half, it gets better. Writer/director Nicole Holofcener’s screenplay is uneven, but perceptive regarding adult relationships.

During the end credits, there is a dedication to Jim. That’s appropriate. When I remember “Enough Said,” it will be for Gandolfini’s performance.

Tom Condon, OP