2012 - Dominican Sisters of Amityville - Development Office

Winter 2012Dominican Young Adults Assist in New Orleansby S. Gina Fleming, OPDuring the week of January 9-14, 2012four young people, who are membersof the newly formed Dominican YoungAdults Chapter in Puerto Rico, traveled toNew Orleans to participate in a rebuildingproject. The program is sponsored by theSt. Bernard Project which is very involvedin rebuilding the homes of New Orleansresidents who were displaced due toHurricane Katrina in August, 2005.Thankfully, getting to New Orleanswas uneventful for both the young peopleand myself. Initially, with snow in theforecast, the weather had been a concern, but it turned out tobe a snow-free beautiful day for traveling. After arriving at theairport we rented a car and were on our way to the Motherhouseof the Sisters of Peace where we would stay for the week. TheSisters were wonderfully welcoming and the young people feltat home very quickly. We had a good nights sleep to prepare forour work in the morning.Following a 7:00 a.m. orientation meeting at St. Bernards’main office, we were taken to our work site. This site was nearlycompleted however and on our first full day in New Orleans, verylittle was required of us. The “real” work began at a new site thenext day. Here the students had an opportunity to engage in alltypes of work. They cleaned, mudded, sanded, primed, and also gota chance to use drills and power tools! There was much to do!The group of Dominican Young Adults we worked withwas from the New Jersey area. The young people all hit it offDominican Young Adults from Puerto Rico and theUnited States enjoyed working together in New Orleans.right away and the work, though exhaustingat times, was done in a wonderful spirit oflaughter and fun.We were thrilled to be visited one day bythe woman who owned the home we wereworking on. With tears in her eyes she spokeof her gratitude to these young volunteers.She told them she would pray for them andask God to bless them for their hard workand for making her dream of finally “cominghome” a reality.During their time in New Orleans, theyoung people also had an opportunity to visitthe French Quarter, to see the area where Brad Pitt’s foundationis building new homes. We drove around the 9th ward wheremuch of the devastation of Katrina is still very visible.Before we knew it, the week of volunteering was over. It wastime to say goodbye. With continued assurances that they willalways keep the Sisters in their prayers and thoughts, the youngpeople said farewell to their newly found friends. It was back tothe airport and back to some much warmer weather for them.But the impact of this experience on their lives was noted inmany of their parting reflections.…and the preaching continues!Reflections by Two DYA Participants“This experience has helped me realize that the best gift we can giveanyone is a mere hand, and with that hand be able to bring a smile full ofhappiness upon their faces, just by offering assistance in any way possible.As we Dominican preachers say, “Preach through our actions.” Offeringourselves to participate in a project that helps bring hope to the people thatwere vastly hit by Hurricane Katrina, made me open my eyes and see that,yes it was AMAZING volunteering outside of Puerto Rico, but we have yetto lend our neighbors a helping hand. So, from this experience I shall takeback the will and determination that these volunteers gave in contributingto a project that changes the victims’ lives as well as their own.”Ashley Irizarry(Above left): Stephanie tends to the details of home repair for the St. Bernard Project.(Above right): Stephanie and Gilysa at the home they helped restore with otherDominican Young Adults. DYA volunteers met for five days of work in January.(Above left): Dominican Young Adults welcome a grateful homeowner (center) back toher renovated home in New Orleans. The resident was deeply touched by their efforts.(Above right): S. Gina Fleming, OP (seated, center) and Team DYA gather together tocelebrate a week of hard work and accomplishment at the home they helped restore.“It’s safe to say this experience most definitely changed me and myperspective. I am currently sitting in front of my laptop thinking I can domore, not only in New Orleans but in Puerto Rico as well. I can help makea difference. I’ve always wondered why somebody doesn’t do somethingabout New Orleans, and then I realized I am somebody. I am. I want to helpothers. I want to help others regain their homes, their safety, their love andtheir hope. I want to remind them that there are still good people and goodthings in this world. I want to remind them that love can surpass anything.I want to remind them that faith is mighty. I want to tell them that peoplecare, that somebody remembers them and will try to help them. I plan onmaking a presentation and showing it to my school. They have to knowwhat’s going on. They have to listen and see the devastation, andacknowledge it. I want to shout at them, ‘This is real and it is happeningright now, and we all have the power to do something about it!’ ”Stephanie Stoddard3

Our PreachingOur HistoryIN LOVING MEMORYWe remember in our hearts and prayers these Dominican Sisters of Amityville who were called home to God in the past year.S. Lucy Keller, OPOctober 28, 2010S. Rita Clair, OPNovember 3, 2010S. Janice Buettner, OPNovember 14, 2010S. James Marie Hickey, OPDecember 11, 2010S. Cecilia Van Buren, OPDecember 25, 2010S. Edward Joseph Egan, OPDecember 26, 2010S. Agnes Butler, OPJanuary 15, 2011S. Moira Hayes, OPFebruary 10, 2011S. Peggy Linane,OPFebruary 11, 2011S. Fleurette Rivera,OPMarch 13, 2011S. Rose Michael Hillery, OPMarch 24, 2011S. Mary Carol Gabriel, OPMarch 29, 2011S. Mary Verity McNicholas,OPApril 6, 2011S. Eileen Johnson,OPApril 22, 2011S. Lucy Murphy,OPApril 22, 2011S. Mary Elizabeth Kelleher, OPApril 25, 2011S. Rosa Castro,OPMay 15, 2011S. Miriam Gregory Kreppein, OPMay 30, 2011S. Loretta Joseph Cantwell, OPJune 29, 2011S. Betty Lamb, OPSeptember 19, 2011AssociatesDorothy O’BrienOctober 19, 2010Florence GerardiOctober 30, 2010Our Brother DominicansRev. John Madigan, OPFebruary 16, 2011Rev. Joseph PayneJune 24, 2011Maryann Ryan Demmett(S. Philip Noreen)December 21, 2011Janis Brenner Jordan(S. Marie Adele)February 9, 20114S. James Miriam Rooney,OPSeptember 25, 2011S. Virginia Miller,OPOctober 1, 2011Geri WatzelNovember 11, 2010Elizabeth HoganDecember 24, 2010Our Former MembersLiz Curtin Hoey (S. James Mary)October, 2010Muriel Prenergast (S. Clare Gervaise)December 9, 2010Elizaberth Lambertus(S. Nora Marie)September 11, 2011Loretta Hirschfeld Lombardi(S. Martin Eileen)September 21, 2011

Homecoming MinistryContinued from page 1with the Earth. This wonderful group was brought to our farm by oneof our CSA members, Councilwoman Jackie Gordon.Science teachers attending classes at Molloy came to explore theconcept of sustainability in the actual “lab” of Earth and her processes.A group of Girl Scouts came to help plant our fields and left withtransplants for a garden they were developing themselves to help feedthe hungry in Levittown. A future Eagle Scout plans to plant berrybushes this spring to provide fruit along with the vegetables offered atthe farm. Teens in Action, a group of young people from several localparishes, are already scheduled to return for a visit this summer.Many groups were referred by Dominican Sisters engaged in activeministries with young people — this little farm has had an enormousimpact through the creating of partnerships with so many other groupson Long Island!In November we were privileged to sponsor the Long Islandpremiere of the film, Journey of the Universe. With the support of theCinema Arts Centre in Huntington, close to 200 people, many fromwomen religious congregations on Long Island, gathered to view thisimportant film and had the opportunity to meet and listen to ourguest, S. Miriam Therese MacGillis, OP, founder of Genesis Farm.Next season will see some changes at Homecoming. While we willcontinue to be a CSA with paying members who share in the risk andreward of locally grown, certified organic food, there will be a focuson growing food for the hungry among us. Twenty percent of theharvest will be designated for food pantries in the local community.Members will be donating part of their financial share and we will bereaching out to others in the community to help us in this endeavor.In November, we competed for and won a grant from theAssociation of Fundraising Professionals to create a new area gearedto the needs of older adults who may struggle to kneel and bend, butwho still long to touch soil and seed, to watch the miracle of life andgrowth. A special area has been designated for raised beds and shadedseating. This will enable elders to participate and join in our growingcommunity, together with others who come regularly to the farm.All of these events have led us to make additional changes. We willbe changing our name from Sophia Garden to Homecoming Farm. Thename Homecoming is an acknowledgement that so many of us are beingcalled back home to a life that celebrates our roots on Long Island andas Dominican Sisters. It is fitting that our farm is located at our home…the Motherhouse. We will still honor Sister Sophia by designating thearea next to her shed, Sophia Garden, as an intergenerational areawhere young and old can work together growing food to be shared.Homecoming Farm will be the home of Sophia Garden.Homecoming is more than an organization, more than a place.Homecoming is a way of life. We are all coming home to our Earth,to our land, to ourselves and to one another. We invite you to join us.If you would like to learn more about how you can be a part of thisministry, please contact Elizabeth M. Keihm, Executive Director, at631-842-6000, Extension 307. Welcome Home!Winter 2012As prophetic witnesses in collaboration with others…we will be responsible members of the universe,we will promote the dignity of marginalized persons…With the world as our frontier, we are open to theSpirit working through all creationExcerpt from the Vision Statementof the Dominican Sisters of AmityvilleMission Statement of theDevelopment Office…creating Passion & Partnership for Mission.The ministry of Development embraces the missionof the Dominican Sisters of Amityville: to search fortruth, preach the Gospel and serve God’s people. Weinvite others to share in these efforts by becomingPartners in Mission. In this way our partners enableus, through our many ministries, to touch the lives ofthe most vulnerable. In addition, these partnershipsmake it possible for us to provide for those Sisterswho, by their lives of service, have sustained ourCongregation and its mission.Philosophy of theDevelopment OfficeWe are rich only through what we give,and poor only through what we refuse …Anne SwetchinThe activities of the Development Office are designedto assist the Congregation in fulfilling its commitmentto respond to the needs of the people of God. Weinvite others to partner with us and join in ourefforts to preach God’s Word. Our Developmentefforts enable the Congregation to be more effectivestewards of its resources. The Development Officehas as its main purpose the building of financialresources so as to enhance the viability and longevityof the Mission of the Congregation. The Ministryof Development is the conduit through which arelationship is established and nurtured with eachperson who invests in the Congregation.The goals of the Development Office are— to assist in planning for a viable future; to research the needs of the Congregation andassist in identifying and soliciting funding sources; to coordinate fundraising projects that benefit theDominican Sisters of Amityville.The Ministry of Development focuses onthe belief that— everything we have is a gift from God and we arestewards of all we receive; Development is a vehicle that enables us to discernand respond to the needs of God’s people; as responsible stewards we have an obligation toprovide the highest level of trust, confidentialityand accountability to our donors.5

Our PreachingIn Our Donors’ WORDSDo you have fond memories of the Dominican Sisters of Amityville? Letters are published in Our Preaching as space permits.A Christmas Play To Remember6My sister, brother and I were very blessed to have attendedBlessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians in Winfield, Queens,NY where we were taught by the Amityville Dominicans.They will never be forgotten. We were like family and thebeautiful old Church was a big part of our lives. We attendeddaily Mass with Benediction on Fridays and Stations of theCross during Lent. Monsignor Fox was our Pastor and SistersHildegard and Mancine were principals. All the Sisters areforever in my prayers, especially Sister M. Noemi Kreppein,who is now living at the Motherhouse in Amityville. SisterNoemi was my seventh grade teacher. She taught us withsuch patience and instilled confidence in each of us. At leastshe did for me. It was in Sister’s class that we put on the mostbeautiful Christmas play. We reenacted the travel of Josephand Mary to Bethlehem and the birth of our precious InfantJesus. Sister Oliveri was the music director for the play.I am still in touch with Sister Noemi. I love her andthank her for teaching me so well and instilling in me thelove of God.Bernice (Daly) SimpsonLake Grove, New YorkRecentGrantsThe Sisters would like to thank these generous benefactors:The Fortin Foundation has granted $100,000 to the Sisters tohelp create an endowment for the Ministry Support Fund.The Association of Fundraising Professionals awarded $5,000 toHomecoming’s Sophia Garden at Philanthropy Day 2011. Thefunds will be used to create an area where seniors can garden.The Chase Foundation awarded $12,000 to The Opening Wordto support rent, salaries and supplies.The Laura J. Nile Foundation awarded $5,000 to The OpeningWord to support programming for advanced students.The Raskob Foundation has granted $30,000 to BenincasaFamily Services for the Jamaica Neighborhood Center to helpsupport the Program Director’s salary.Walmart, Facility 5202 Commack recently awarded a $500grant to The Opening Word.Catholic Health Services has awarded $10,000 to the Sisters forthe St. Catherine Residence, currently in its planning stage.An anonymous benefactor awarded $23,500 to The OpeningWord to: strengthen organizational capacity through staff, boardand volunteer training; enhance development resources; andincrease the ability to serve additional students.Above: S. James Celeste with the Leo Honor Society, Class of 1960.Right: S. Madeline Brewi, who celebrated her 100th birthday in 2011.St. Michael’s Commercial High SchoolSister James Celeste (S. Madeline Brewi, OP) was principalof St. Michael’s Commercial High School in East New York,Brooklyn. I attended St. Michael’s from 1960 to 1964, when Igraduated. Sister was a very dedicated religious. God bless her!Carol PusanoRemembering Visits to Water MillMy aunt is Sister Muriel Ott, OP. I remember visiting her atWater Mill when I was about 4 or 5 years old. It was a longcar trip from Brooklyn in the 1930s and my mother packed apicnic lunch for the day. We visited every month and broughtmy grandmother also. Mysister and I were flower girlswhen our aunt professed hervows. I have many pleasantmemories of Water Mill andAmityville.Adelaide UlichAshburn, VAWater Mill JuniorateVisit the Sisters on YouTubeyoutube.com/heritageamityvilleopyoutube.com/sistersamityvilleopThe Dominican Sisters of Amityvilleinvite you to spend time with themon YouTube. The Heritage Centerand the Congregation both have beengathering and uploading videos to theonline site. Some interesting historicpieces are available for viewing at:youtube.com/heritageamityvilleop.The Congregation provides videosabout ministries and other topics at:youtube.com/sistersamityvilleop.Much hard work has gone into thisproject. We hope the results of theseefforts will provide much enjoyment,insight and education to those whovisit. Let us know what you think!