Community News

80 years

Sister Marie Julie Fecher ministered as a music instructor in Kentucky for almost 50 years. From 1976-94, she was a music instructor at Brescia College/University in Owensboro, Ky.

70 years

Sister Eva Boone served as an educator for 23 years in Kentucky, Nebraska, Missouri and Indiana, then served in parish ministry for 14 years.

Sister Ruth Gehres served as an English professor and later president of Brescia College in Owensboro.

Sister Michael Ann Monaghan spent nearly 50 years as a teacher in Kentucky, Missouri and her beloved New Mexico.

After being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a very special Eucharistic celebration took place in St. Scholastica Chapel at Mount St. Scholastica on Sunday, May 15.

The perpetual profession of vows as a Benedictine for Sister Jennifer Halling had originally been planned for September, 2021. In order for Sister Jennifer’s family to attend, the liturgy was rescheduled.

The DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards are given annually by the Religion Communicators Council for excellence in religious communications and public relations. The following were announced as winning entries for work done in 2021 at the awards presentation on May 11:

80 years
Sister Shirley Ann Simmons, a native of Heartwell, Nebraska, taught for 55 years at Catholic parish grade schools in Louisville, and St. Elizabeth, where she served as principal.

Sister Shirley also taught in Cumberland, Maryland and Omaha, Nebraska. She served as principal at St. Patrick school and St. Luke parish school in Ogallala, Nebraska.

75 years

Sister Antonine Biven, a native of Louisville, is an accomplished musician, and taught music for 24 years. She also served as a pastoral associate and minister of music at several parishes.

By Katie Mahon, Communications Manager

For nearly 50 years, the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, have been serving the children of farmworkers in Orange County.

Located in Goshen, House on the Hill has served as an early childhood and migrant seasonal headstart center that provides education, family engagement, health, nutrition, and community partnership services.

DAYTON, Ohio — Sister Mūmbi Kīgūtha, CPPS, professed final vows as a member of the Sisters of the Precious Blood during a liturgy held April 23 at the chapel at Salem Heights, the religious community’s central house in Dayton.

“Benedictine spirituality is the spirituality of the 21st century because it deals with the issues facing us now...its currency lies in the fact that Benedictine spirituality offers more a way of life and an attitude of mind than it does a set of religious prescriptions,” writes Sister Joan Chittister.

By Katie Mahon, Communications Manager

Sr. Maggie McDermott, OP’s impact through her ministry on the most vulnerable communities in the Bronx and throughout New York City has been remarkable.

In her ministry as Executive Director of Tolentine Zeiser Community Life Center, Sr. Maggie, a Sister of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, oversees Susan’s Place, Sammon Build Center, Tolentine Early Learn Program, Paradise Transitional Housing, and Siena House.

Join in this interactive, one-hour, virtual workshop.  We'll experience brief historical overview of the Doctrine of Discovery and engage in small group reflective conversation before sharing insights in the large group.

Sister Mary Anna Euring, OP, who grew up in Lynbrook, is having this solo exhibit of “On the Journey”, her Asian Brush paintings, at Melo Beauty Bar, 953 Franklin Avenue, Garden City starting in April 2022.

By Katie Mahon, Communications Manager

When asked to sum up her ministry, Sr. Alice Kirk, OP, a Sister of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, believes her role with the Archdiocese of New York is one that supports educators.

During a recent episode of the Hearts Afire Podcast, Sr. Alice shared, “I am supporting teachers in something that will help their students, and to me, you can’t get anything more important than education.”

This Earth Day, the Sisters of St. Francis have released a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kT2tFEOWcA) to amplify the voices of Rise St. James – a faith-based grassroots organization that is fighting for environmental justice as it works to defeat the proliferation of petrochemical industries in St. James Parish, Louisiana.

By Katie Mahon, Communications Manager

On April 13th, Sr. Monica Paul Fraser, OP, a Sister of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, joined the Hearts Afire Podcast to discuss Holy Week and the Easter season.

To watch and listen to Sr. Monica, click on one of the links below.

YouTube - https://buff.ly/37CUCQ2

Apple - https://buff.ly/3ex5Irc

Spotify - https://buff.ly/37cS9vQ

Are you seeking more? Are you searching for a spiritual community? If so, perhaps the Providence Associate relationship with the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, is the perfect fit for you!

Plan on joining Providence Associates and Sisters of Providence for the upcoming virtual “Come and See” opportunity. The event will take place from 7-8:30 p.m., EDT, on April 28.

On February 27, Sr. Carmel Earls, who resides in our Franciscan House in Lucan, Ireland, but ministers in Neilstown Parish, was honored for 30 years of outstanding service to the parish and people of Neilstown. The surprise celebration was organized by the parish staff and the pastor, Father Hugh Cavanaugh, amid great efforts to keep the event top secret. The celebration opened with a concelebrated Mass by Father Hugh and three former parish priests who have ministered with Sr. Carmel at different times.

"Addressing parental concerns: wisdom and advice" is the topic of a webinar on April 21 at 7 p.m. CT. Two young religious and two parents will discuss the questions, concerns, and emotions that parents experience when a child enters religious life.  The 1-hour program will consist of four short presentations followed by live Q&A.

Register today to join this free event. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpf-msqT8vGN20BvNH8y95ngg6gWmcwgCD

On March 24, 2022, the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, North Dakota, celebrated the 75th anniversary of their establishment as an independent monastic community in the Diocese of Bismarck.  In 1944, 140 members of St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, Minnesota, volunteered to be the founding members of the new community in Bismarck.  Benedictines first came to Dakota Territory in 1878 to teach the German immigrant children.  A few years later, they established St. Alexius Hospital, now known as CHI St.

The Sisters of the Divine Savior in attendance at the USA Provincial Chapter, April 4-8, 2022, are pleased to announce the results of their elections.

The following Sisters will serve on the Provincialate for the 2022-2025 term which begins on June 26, 2022.

Provincial: Sister Jean Schafer, SDS

Vicaress: Sister Mary Lee Grady, SDS

Team Members: Sister Patrice Colletti, SDS, Sister Mary Evelyn Zimbauer, SDS, and Sister Sheila Novak, SDS

Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Elects New Leadership

The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) held their 19th Community Chapter in late February. The Chapter, convened every six years, meets to elect community leadership and promote the spiritual and apostolic vitality of the community.

By Katie Mahon, Communications Manager

The most vulnerable populations in New York City, including individuals living with AIDS and HIV, are often overlooked and forgotten about in our society.

When the AIDS epidemic hit New York City in the 1980s, many people became sick and tragically died.

The North American Vocation Team (NAVT) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) present “Living our Call as SSND: Transformative Education, Part 3 – Around the Globe” Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST). This third of a three-part online series is intended for women ages 18-45 to learn more about SSND and their ministry as an international organization. More information and registration for the Zoom link is available at ssnd.org/events/5-3-22.  

By Katie Mahon, Communications Manager

For the majority of her life, Sr. Maggie McDermott, OP, has been making her impact on communities in the Bronx, throughout New York City, and beyond.

In her ministry as Executive Director of Tolentine Zeiser Community Life Center, Sr. Maggie, a Sister of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, oversees the Sammon Build Center, Tolentine Early Learn Program, Paradise Transitional Housing, Susan’s Place, and Siena House.

By Katie Mahon, Communications Manager

The issue of human rights has become a highly discussed topic over the past month.

From the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the horrific treatment of the Uyghur population in China, substantial human rights violations have occurred right in front of our eyes.

Whether we see posts on social media that highlight these atrocities or stories on the news, many of us have become aware of what is going on, but what we don’t know is how we can address these issues.

By Katie Mahon, Communications Manager

In the early months of 1899, the fallout from the Spanish-American War occurred as the United States received the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, and Puerto Rico as a result of the Treaty of Paris, and Americans, even in southern Florida, were hit with the Great Blizzard of 1899 experiencing freezing temperatures and snow.

During that time, Mother Mary Ann and the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, cared for the most vulnerable children of New York City.

Last month the Religious Formation Conference launched of a new resources database for those interested in a variety of topics relevant to formation and consecrated life in the Roman Catholic Church.

The portal is intended for those in formation ministry, congregational leadership, associate programs, and others who support the formative journeys of those entering religious communities. It serves as a clearinghouse of information intended to inform both initial and ongoing formation.