Community News

By Katie Beckmann Mahon, Communications Manager

Faith is something that has been tested frequently throughout the pandemic.

Whether it was a diagnosis of COVID-19 or dealing with economic issues, one’s faith and relationship with God were often questioned over the past 18 months.

In the most recent episode of the Hearts Afire Podcast, Sr. Bridget Mary Troy, OP, a Sister of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, reflected on her battle with COVID-19, along with the importance of faith during sickness.

The Society of the Sacred Heart, United States – Canada Province, announced a new provincial and provincial team. With the unanimous consent of the Society of the Sacred Heart General Council, Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, was named the new provincial for a mandate of three years, commencing on August 1, 2021.

After receiving input from Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) representing all age groups, all regions and both countries in the province, Sister Cooke selected her provincial team: Imma De Stefanis, RSCJ; Marina Hernandez, RSCJ; and Lynne Lieux, RSCJ.

Gun violence has become a global human rights and public health issue that threatens the basic right to life. Gun violence disproportionately impacts communities of color, women and other marginalized groups in society. Armed violence and climate change are two of the root causes forcing millions of migrants and refugees to flee their homes and communities.

What are some reasonable measures that can be taken that would have immediate security implications? How do we address the underlying contributors to gun violence? How do we create a culture of gun safety?

The Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary – Eastern American Area have elected a new area leader and councilors.

By Katie Beckmann Mahon, Communications Manager

Eileen Foti is a woman of many talents.

She is a brilliant artist, illustrator, photographer, as well as a wife, mother, grandmother, and Associate for the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York. She is a highly decorated author.

Eileen, who frequently volunteers at the Motherhouse, recently published a new children’s book, Bunny and the Rainbow.

Sister of St. Dominic of Amityville, Ruth Lautt, OP, initiated and coordinated to bring a New York City Health & Hospitals Mobile Vaccine Site to the parish of St. Fidelis in College Point, NY. People from St Fidelis Parish and beyond came all day both days-- July 10th and 11th -- to get their shots. The St.

The Sisters of the Redeemer, American Province, concluded their Province Chapter on July 10. The theme for the 11th Province Chapter was “Drawn by Redeeming Love to a Future Full of Hope.” Inspired by the General Resolutions of 2019 shared with their international Congregation of Sisters in Germany and Tanzania, Province Chapter focused on the themes of New Life, Care for Creation, and Community Life.

By Katie Beckmann Mahon, Communications Manager

To say Sr. Dorothy Hall, OP’s ministry last year was challenging would be an understatement.

For Sr. Dorothy, a Sister of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, her ministry as a Pastoral Associate at St. Charles Borromeo Resurrection and All Saints Church in Harlem is essential. During the pandemic, Sr. Dorothy found creative ways to manage the food pantry from afar.

The OPSCC Justice Committee will be holding a Zoom Session with Robin D'Angelo on August 15th from 2 pm - 3:30 pm. To learn more and RSVP contact Sr. Ceil Lavan at [email protected]. 

History is governed               
by those overarching movements
that give shape and meaning to life
by relating the human venture
   to the larger destinies of the Universe.
— Thomas Berry, The Great Work

Announcing:
Deeptime Leadership & Personal Empowerment Program
9 Month Online Program Starting September 22nd

By Katie Beckmann Mahon, Communications Manager

After 20 years of ministry at Siena House, Sr. Cely Byrnes, OP, a Sister of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, retired as Director of Operations.

Sr. Cely shared, “I’ve been planning retirement for three years, and finally, three months ago, I decided that this was the moment (to retire) and time to move on.”

Siena House, which Sr. Cely refers to as a “very dynamic place,” is a ministry site that she trusts “will be around for the future.”

How can we help those we cannot see? How does one empower those who are in chains? Human trafficking, as far-reaching and insidious as a global pandemic, knows no boundaries—whether by online home invasions or physical coercions dressed as dreams.

 Pleas watch our newest video on Sr. Marie! She shares her story on how she became a Presentation Sister and what ministries she felt called to. Click this link to see the video! https://youtu.be/cgMgZbhLgKc 

Video also  can be found on our social media sites 

In May, Sister Alexandria was honored by Msgr. McClancy Memorial High School in East Elmhurst, Queens, for her work on the school's Board of Directors for the past seven years. This award is “the highest honor bestowed by McClancy high school for character, leadership, achievement and service.” The school published a short biography of S. Alex, including her latest endeavor which involves conducting an ethnographic study in India on the indigenous language, Mangalorean Konkami.

During the week of May 25th, twenty-eight students from Dominican universities and colleges from around the country as well as 12 mentors and 25 presenters came together virtually to celebrate the 20th year of the National “Preaching in Action” Conference. The participating universities/colleges included Albertus Magnus College, CT; Caldwell University, NJ; Dominican College, NY; Dominican University, CA; Edgewood College, WI; Molloy College, NY; Ohio Dominican University, OH; and Siena Heights University, MI. 

Congratulations to Sr. Mary Flood of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York!

In late April, Sr. Mary was honored as a Woman of Distinction for the 97th Assembly District, which includes Orangetown and Ramapo.

The Women of Distinction honorees were nominated by community members, then selected by Assemblyman Mike Lawler, and presented with an official NYS Assembly Proclamation.

On May 1, Sister of St. Dominic of Amityville Margaret Smyth, OP, presented No Room for Them in the Inn as part of an ongoing online series for The Year of St. Joseph sponsored by the Vicars of Religious of the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre in New York.

S. Margaret -- the Founder of the Northfork Spanish Apostolate-- works with the Spanish-speaking community on the east end of Long Island. 

Here is the video posted to our social medias. 

Facebook: https://fb.watch/5Ly5kv4jr0/  
Youtube: https://youtu.be/m6CPmFncscw 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CPYjguPlH2s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PBVM_Sisters 
 

By Katie Beckmann Mahon, Communications Manager

The 2021 Virtual Nun Run/Walk 5K looked much different from past events but was undoubtedly just as memorable.

From May 8th until May 16th, runners and walkers throughout the country participated in the Nun Run/Walk from their hometowns.

Mary Margaret Schroeder was the overall winner with a time of 23:44. Daniel Rickard finished in second with a time of 24:39, and Julia Shideler placed third with a time of 28:05.

An exhibit featuring the works of three Latina women artists opened on May 22 at the Marie Louise Trichet Art Galery at Wisdom House, Litchfield, CT.

LEVITICUS FUND WILL ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF LEGACY FUND, INTRODUCE FOUNDING MEMBERS

Thursday, May 20 at approximately 10:15 a.m. - During Virtual Annual Meeting of Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Media is invited to attend and cover

The third and final zoom session on transgender ministry for women and men religious will be on Friday, May 21st from 1:00-2:30 pm EST.  The presenter will be Deacon Ray Dever from the Diocese of St. Petersbury, FL.  Deacon Ray has an adult transgender daughter and is a frequent speaker and writer on matters of faith in the LGBTQ+ community. 

The link is here.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82493566016?pwd=OVpObTgwNUc2NmtUd1pueVlxUW9zZz09

In today's world of isolation, we feel a call in our hearts to create connections of love and hope. Join us as we deepen our relationship with the Creator and all of creation in a day of discovery, play, reflection and inspiration. This three-hour program will include online prayer, discussion, and offline reflecting including interacting with nature in your own environment. 

By Katie Beckmann Mahon, Communications Manager

In a world full of endless distractions such as addicting technology, social media, constant sensational news, it is sometimes difficult to find God in the everyday.

These distractions often take up valuable time, leading to wasted days while the world goes on around us.

By Katie Beckmann Mahon, Communications Manager

Sr. Ceil Lavan, OP, is one of the fiercest advocates that you will ever meet.

In her ministry as Justice Promoter for the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, you can almost always find her on the frontlines of the congregation’s advocacy efforts.

In a recent episode of the Hearts Afire Podcast, Sr. Ceil discussed her ministry and what is behind her motivation, and how that drives her activism.