Our Preaching_Vol2 Iss2.qxd - Dominican Sisters of Amityville ...

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Our Preaching
Fromthedeskof
Virginia Maguire, OP
Prioress
Dear Friends,
Experiencing new life during the spring season creates
within us a longing for summer and the leisure moments
this season gifts us. For many of you the ordinary routine
continues, but the extra night meetings and social events lessen, allowing time to relax
and enjoy the outdoor life. As you look to this new season, remember that our God is a
God of surprises! How will God surprise and delight you this summer season Perhaps
you will find the surprise in your attentiveness to the rhythm of nature, or your awareness
to the needs of others, or your contemplative time with God. Don’t miss the gifts of this
season by being unaware of the wonderful miracles that happen within you and around
you everyday.
So much has happened since the publication of the last edition of “Our Preaching.” The
celebration of Easter once again reminded us of the possibility of experiencing life in a
new way. The death of Pope John Paul II found the world connected as nations mourned
his passing. His concern for the care of the most vulnerable in society, his belief in our
youth, his opposition to the war in Iraq and his respect for the religious beliefs of others
are just a few ways that his life bore witness to the possibility of Easter. We place our
hope in Pope Benedict XVI and promise to pray that the Spirit guide him in making the
Gospel relevant for the 21st century.
The Federation of Dominican Sisters USA held its second Federation Convocation in
Chicago, April 21-24. Attending this event were 482 Dominican Sisters and Associates,
representing 24 Dominican Congregations in the United States. Among the attendees
were 25 Amityville Dominican Sisters and Associates. The theme “One Planet, One
People, One Preaching” served as a lens for addressing relevant ways for our Dominican
charism to flourish now and into the future.
Dominican Village hosted a Celebratory Dinner on May 20th, to dedicate Helen Butler,
OP Hall in honor of Sister Helen Butler for her wonderful efforts and vision in creating
Dominican Village and overseeing the renovation of the auditorium as a beautiful center
for the residents of Dominican Village. The Amityville site for Opening Word, a Literacy
Program for Women, celebrated its Tenth Anniversary on June 5th. Since this site opened
in 1995, more than 500 women were educated in Opening Word. Both are examples of
sponsored ministries founded by our Sisters in response to the needs of this time.
Featured in this edition is a special recognition to you, our wonderful partners, for your
support of our efforts in response to the call of God’s people. We are able to respond,
while sustaining our present ministries, because of your belief in our mission and your
generous spirit. We value your partnership with us and the trust that this represents.
Also highlighted in this edition is St. Agnes Academic High School which was founded
in 1898 by our Sisters. St. Agnes is alive and well and eagerly anticipating its 100th
Anniversary in 2008! The poignant story of S. Ruth Lautt’s visit with Pope John Paul II
in January 2005 is timely and validates his tireless efforts to foster Catholic-Jewish
relations.
May you experience God’s gift of creation this summer as you replenish your spirit
by spending time with family and friends. Thank you for your friendship with the
Dominican Sisters and your untiring support of our mission. Your generosity enables
our preaching to continue in new and meaningful ways. Our Sisters remember you
in their daily prayers.
May the preaching continue in our very lives!
Gratefully in St. Catherine and St. Dominic,
Virginia Maguire, OP
Vol. 3, No. 2 Summer 2005
The American Congregation of the Holy Cross,
Amityville Dominican Sisters, is a community of
more than 500 women religious. Our Motherhouse
is in New York but our Sisters minister in eight
other states, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and the
Dominican Republic. We are a preaching/teaching
Congregation always seeking creative ways to
minister in the present moment.
Excerpt from the Vision Statement
of the Sisters of St. Dominic
We Dominican women religious
called to be signs of joy and hope,
commit ourselves to incarnating the Gospel,
deepening our life of prayer, searching for Truth,
discerning the needs of the Church
and ministering to the people of God.
CENTRAL COUNCIL
Virginia Maguire, OP, Prioress
Diane Morgan, OP, Assistant Prioress
Margaret Mayce, OP,
Councilor for Ministry/Study
Kathleen McGinn, OP,
Councilor for Stewardship/Treasurer
Audrey Harsen, OP,
Councilor for Health/Retirement
Laura Helbig, OP, Councilor for Common Life
Luz Selenia Quinones, OP,
Provincial of Puerto Rico
Our Preaching is a publication
of the Sisters of St. Dominic.
For information on articles in this issue or on
any programs or events, please contact the
Development Office at (631) 842-6000, ext. 269.
Director of Development
Eileen M. Nolan, OP, ext. 238
enolanop@amityop.org
Development Officer
Patricia Chambers Daly, ext. 241
pchambersdaly@amityop.org
Development Associate
Ann Ellingham, ext. 246
aellingham@amityop.org
Our Preaching Editor
Carol Hansen, ext. 269
chansen@amityop.org
Sisters of St. Dominic Development Office
555 Albany Avenue
Amityville, NY 11701
Website: www.amityvilleop.org