Community News

September marks Hunger Action Month, a time to raise awareness regarding the heartbreaking statistics that 42 million in the United States, including over 13 million children, are currently facing hunger. 

This alarming number is one of the many reasons that the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, NY, and the team at Harmony Farm in Orange County, NY, a ministry site of the sisters, support several food pantries, including St. Margaret’s Guild in Middletown, NY, Newburgh Ministries in Newburgh, NY, and the Goshen Ecumenical Food Pantry in Goshen, NY.

Retreat Day with Sr. Julie, PBVM. “We were so amazed and humbled to see the heart, love and faith the staff at the mission have for the work that they do and the service they provide. We were so blessed to be a part of it for the day.” -Principal Sandra Alamo-Ng, Saint Joseph School, Upland.

What does economic justice mean to a woman in the workforce? To an immigrant without health care? To a mother with many mouths to feed? For many in our society, the avenues of opportunity are limited by the status quo between the haves and the have-nots.

Join our conversation on September 8 at 3 p.m. Central as host Charish Badzinski joins a panel of experts to explore the challenges of creating a just economic system and actions we can take to ensure economic security for all. 

Registration is free and open to the public.

Sisters of Notre Dame Global Update & Reception

Please join us for an update on the Sisters of Notre Dame around the world. We welcome three congregational leaders to California. They will share the spirit and mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame as it is today in 17 countries.

Honored Guests
Sr. Kristin Battles, Superior General
Sr. Kathleen Burns & Sr. Mary Ann Culpert, General Councilors

Event Details:
Sunday, September 12, 2021
1:00-4:30pm PDT
Notre Dame Center
1776 Hendrix Ave, Thousand Oaks CA

Cardinal Mario Grech has appointed Sr. Marie Kolbe Zamora, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, to serve as an official for the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. Zamora’s appointment commences at the Vatican on Sept. 1, 2021.  Zamora will work with Cardinal Grech (General Secretary for the Synod of Bishops), Bishop Luis Marín de San Martín and Sister Nathalie Becquart (Undersecretaries for the General Secretariat), and the other members of the Secretariat team in its preparation for and implementation of Synod Assemblies.

Where is God calling you? Come and See life as a Sister of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

All single, Catholic women ages 18-42 are invited to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Oct. 1-3. During the free, in-person weekend retreat, you can learn about the life and mission of Congregation foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. You will also experience the mission in action today by interacting with the Sisters of Providence.

The retreat begins at 7 p.m., EDT, on Friday, Oct. 1, and will conclude at 1 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 3. Food and housing will be provided.

Deeptime Leadership and Religious Communities  (Info Session)

August 18th, 7:00 PM ET (US)

This is an information session about the upcoming nine-month Deeptime Leadership & Personal Empowerment Program that starts Sept. 22nd. 

We have a new video on one of our sisters and her journey to the USA. Please watch, like, post, share etc. Thank you so much for the support, we greatly appreciate it!

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 ceilie@aol.com. 

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.