2011 - Dominican Sisters of Amityville - Development Office

A publication of the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, NYVol. 9, No. 3Fall 2011InsideLetter from 2the PrioressAn Education 3in AppalachiaCalendar 3of EventsOur History: 4The Chellis HallDance ProgramFounders’ Day 5CelebrationIn Our 6Donors’ WordsGrants 6UpdateVeritas 7SocietyDominican 8Business PartnershipDominicans in ActionDominicans in the World: Overseas MinistriesZeal for foreign missions was one cornerstone ofSt. Dominic’s spirituality, and within years of hisdeath, Dominicans were proclaiming the word of Godin distant places. For centuries, their ministries havepositively impacted the far reaches of the world. TheDominican Sisters of Amityville keep this gift alive byserving God’s people wherever the need arises. Thiscurrently includes places like South Africa, El Salvador,Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.In July, our S. Honora Nolty, OP and S. HonoraWerner, a Caldwell Dominican, spent time workingwith Montebello Dominican Sisters in South Africa,assisting local communities. The Sisters successfullyfurthered the relationship between the MontebelloCongregation and Dominicans in Northeast USA.There is a wonderful account of their experiences athttp://www.facebook.com/NE5SouthAfricaProject.S. Peggy McVetty, OP has also ministered inAfrica, where she shared skills of spiritual directionwith native Sisters, helping them to develop programsof discernment for women in vocational formation.In addition, S. Peggy joined S. Diane Capuano, OPin Madrid, Spain in August for World Youth Day,extending Dominican charism and support to thecountless young people who met there.Last year, the Sisters celebrated a centennial ofservice in Puerto Rico, where their ongoing presencecontinues to lend hope and growth. An interestingS. Flor de Maria Buruca (top row, sixth from right) is helping thepeople of Sol de Naciente, El Salvador rebuild their community.Top left: Our S. Honora Nolty(second from right) in Africa withS. Honora Werner (left) and twonew friends this past July.Top right: The Sisters have beenin Puerto Rico for 100 years.Left: S. Peggy McVetty (center)has ministered in South Africa,Madrid and El Salvador.history about this can be found on our website at:http://www.dsaopdev.org/OPv8WEB.pdf.In a small town called Sol de Naciente del Japonin El Salvador, S. Flor de Maria Buruca, OP hasfound many ways to assist the hometown she comesfrom. Her first project was to raise funds for a chapel.After being displaced from their original locationnear the ocean, this onetime fishing community losteverything: their homes, livelihood, schools and,most importantly to them, their chapel. S. Flor hadmany fundraisers and traveled often to El Salvadorwhile the chapel was being built. Today the people ofSol de Naciente del Japon celebrate the Liturgy intheir beautiful chapel. Upon its completion, S. Flornext turned her compassionate eye to the childrenwhose lives had been upended by the relocation. Shestarted an Annual Camp, held each August, forchildren ages 6–13. Activities include art, music,field trips and community service. The kids love it!By their efforts, these Dominicans in Actionexemplify Dominican charism while effecting positivechange in the communities they touch.…and the preaching continues!

Our Preaching2FromthedeskofMary Hughes OPPrioressDear Friends,Technological advances have enabled us to learn aboutcultures and global situations in an instant. An ecologicalor political event that happens in the morning is availableto us in full detail within the space of hours. We can nolonger say we are unaware of the struggles of our brothers and sisters throughout theworld. Just as this has happened in your living room, it has happened in ours and theknowledge has compelled us to act.In this issue you will read about several of our Dominican Sisters who traveled toAfrica. Sister Nora visited South Africa in July. Sister Peggy has assisted native Sistersin learning the skills of spiritual direction, and helping them to develop programs offormation for the women joining their Dominican Congregation. The experienceswere rich because of the immersion into the culture of the indigenous people.Accounts of the work were broadcast to us through regular internet communication.We all grew from this generous investment in Dominican life and mission.Sister Flor has been engaged consistently in ministry to the people of her home villagein El Salvador. Because of her efforts, a chapel has been built so people have a place togather for prayer. Each summer she plans a camp experience for children. It is powerfulto watch children who have so little radiate such happiness.Within our own country, Sisters traveled with students to minister in Appalachia.While the trip is never an easy one, it has a profound impact upon the students whoopen themselves to this opportunity. Most of us cannot conceive of the need to useouthouses or to go to a well for water. Yet, this is a way of life for many in the UnitedStates. Physical work may seem like a small contribution to a large problem, but thelarger gift is the companionship and presence.In the late Spring I had the opportunity to travel to Rome to meet the Holy Father.The Presidency of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious journeys to Romeannually to visit various Vatican offices and speak of the wonderful work being doneby women and men religious in this country. It was easy for me to insert into theconversations facts about the outreach of so many of our Sisters on behalf of the poor.It is always exciting to travel but the real work, both during and after the trip, is thatof contemplation. These journeys are far more than attempts to accumulate frequentflier miles. The real work is staying with the experience so that we can find themessage God is communicating. It is very humbling to realize how blessed we arewhen so much of the world’s population has so little by way of resources. It is veryhumbling to recognize the resilience and the ingenuity of persons who have hadminimal educational opportunities and have coped with enormous challenges. Theseexperiences challenge our pre-conceptions about the dignity and worth of persons.These trips are vivid reminders that we could manage well with far less than we own.These travels overwhelm us with the beauty of God’s creation. These trips draw us toour knees in prayer, in gratitude, and in supplication. These are moments of grace.Thank you for all that you do to support our Sisters and their ministries. Each of youis a special blessing in our lives. Know that in our contemplative moments, the momentsthat undergird all of our work, you are remembered in our prayer.Prayerfully and gratefully,Mary Hughes OPPrioressVol. 9, No. 3 Fall 2011The American Congregation of the Holy Cross,Dominican Sisters of Amityville, is a Congregationof more than 500 women religious. Our Motherhouseis in New York but our Sisters minister in six otherstates, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Weare a preaching/teaching Congregation always seekingcreative ways to minister in the present moment.Excerpt from the Vision Statementof the Dominican Sisters of AmityvilleWe Dominican women religiouscalled 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 Churchand ministering to the people of God.COUNCILPrioressMary Hughes OPAssistant PrioressElaine Jahrsdoerfer OPCouncilor for Ministry & StudyAlice Byrnes OPCouncilor for Stewardship & TreasurerTheresa Gallagher OPCouncilor for Common LifeJudith Golden OPCouncilor for Health & RetirementElizabeth McGarvey OPProvincial of Puerto RicoLuz Selenia Quinones OPOur Preaching is a publication of theDominican Sisters of Amityville.For information on articles in this issue or onany programs or events, please contact theDevelopment Office at 631-842-6000, ext. 269.DEVELOPMENT OFFICEDirector of DevelopmentPatricia Chambers Daly ext. 241pchambersdaly@amityop.orgDirector of Special ProjectsAnn Marie Ellingham ext. 238aellingham@amityop.orgDirector of Donor CommunicationCarol Hansen ext. 269chansen@amityop.orgDevelopment AssistantShalyrie Eanes ext. 246sfields@amityop.orgDominican Sisters of Amityville555 Albany Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701-1197Website: www.dsaopdev.org

Fall 2011An Education in Appalachia By S. Alexandria Wolochuk, OPOn a Sunday afternoon in July, our groupof students and teachers from MolloyCollege arrived at Big Laurel Learning Centerin Kermit, in the heart of West Virginia. Ihad long anticipated this visit. Somewhere inmy years of elementary school education, Iremember studying this place, known for itspoverty, woods, and coal mines—so here itwas. I had a vague notion of what to expect inthe way of lifestyle, but nothing could haveprepared me for the week of camp that was to come by way ofpeople, events, and emotions.Prior to our arrival, we made a stop in a non-operative coalmine in Beckley where we were carted by rail cars some forty feetbelow the ground and entered an area of dimly-lit, solid earth.When our tour guide, a former coal miner, doused the overheadlamps, there was only a semblance of light flickering from his coalminers’ helmet. Blackness prevailed as our eyes struggled to piercethe darkness. This was our introduction to the industry of coalmining that at one time brought prosperity to our nation.Currently, coal mining companies in Appalachia are involvedin mountain top removal (MTR), commonly referred to as stripmining. MTR destroys ecosystems and transforms some of themost biologically diverse temperate forests into biologically barrenlandscapes. Needless to say, it has provoked much controversy inthe region and across the nation. We were able to view some ofthese sites on our way to Laurel Mountain.Professor Maureen Moulder and I had volunteered for a weekof mentoring local Appalachian boys ages 13 to 15 who wereeligible to attend camp. In addition, seven outstanding studentsfrom Molloy College, accompanied by our campus minister, SisterDiane Capuano, OP, served as student mentors. I later learnedthat mentoring included fun, learning, recreation, and individual(Above left): S. Diane (L) and S. Alexandria (R).(Above right): With students and friends in Appalachia.attention. At the outset, we hoped that itwould be a week that none of us would everforget. Appalachia is not an ordinary place;it’s magical. It is a place of beauty, warmth,and relationships.Although our contacts were limited intown, the folks appeared friendly, hospitable,and self-reliant. There was a man named Philwho lived in a cabin not too far from theLearning Center. His home was in need ofsome repair; however, Phil, at ninety-two years did not seem togive it a thought. He invited us into his humble dwelling andshared the beloved photo of his recently deceased wife, Ann.Several of the neighbors had helped take care of Ann throughouther illness. Through Phil’s story telling and the accounts of others,I realized the interconnectedness and resiliency of these people.One can easily understand why the center where we gathereddaily was named “The Web of Life.” As one person had told me,“Everything I need is right here on top of this mountain.”To understand Appalachia is to recognize that its populationis by no means socially homogeneous. The traditional, folk subcultureis a unique aspect of Appalachia; not all or even a majorityof Appalachians are part of it. These miners and mountaineersvalue a rural lifestyle, relative isolation, and harmony with nature.There is a strong attachment to personal relationships and thesocial organizations of family, neighbor, and church. This wasevident when our group took part in a nearby Hoe Down! Peoplesauntered in one by one or in couples and greeted each otherbefore they took a seat. Our Molloy students participated wholeheartedlyin the mountain dance and were not to be forgotten!It takes a few days to get accustomed to the Southernmountain dialect or “folk speech of Appalachia” as linguists refercontinued on page 5Calendar of Development EventsDominican Gala Friday, October 28, 2011Garden City Hotel, Garden City, NYIrish Night Saturday, March 3, 2012St. Brigid’s School Hall, Westbury, NY Spring EventStar-Struck Afternoon at “42nd Street”John Cleary Volunteer Award Presentation & ReceptionSaturday, May 5, 2012John W. Engeman Theater, Northport, NYBeauty of the Spirit LuncheonFriday, June 22, 2012Queen of the Rosary Motherhouse, Amityville, NYThe Sisters invite your participation in these wonderful gatherings!Motherhouse Evening Vesper Service at 4:00 pm*November 20, 2011April 15, 2012(Bonding of Associates)December 11, 2011(Lessons and Carols)May 27, 2012(Pentecost)March 18, 2012June 24, 2012* If you plan to attend Evening Vesper Service, please notifythe Motherhouse ahead of time at 631-842-6000 ext 334.3

Our PreachingOur HistoryChellis HallThe Chellis Hall Dance Program:How a Sunday Afternoon FundraiserBecame An Unforgettable MemoryIn 1959, Mother Bernadette de Lourdes, OP, then Prioress ofthe Dominican Sisters of Amityville, sent an appeal letter toall convents. In it she asked the Sisters’ help in raising moneyfor the creation of a novitiate and a Sisters’ formation house.At the time, Sister Catherine Marie Geraghty, OP was affiliatedwith Mary Immaculate Hospital in Jamaica, New York, wherethe newly-erected Chellis Hall auditorium was already beingused for fundraisers there. Sister Catherine had an idea.The strict dress regulations were set by the student committee members themselves.“The thought came to mind,” Sister recalled years later,“why couldn’t Chellis Hall auditorium be utilized for Sundayafternoon teenage dances as the convent’s project toward MotherBernadette’s building appeal?”First reactions to the concept were discouraging, but SisterCatherine persevered. “My thinking persisted in the belief thatif a project is carefully planned and well run, it should be atleast a modest success.”Good organization seemed to be the essentialrequisite, so Sister’s first step was to contact a personalfriend who was a professional entertainer. He in turncontacted a friend who was a professional recreationalorganizer. The three proceeded to outline a programthat was presented to Monsignor Joseph Brody, thenDirector of Diocesan Hospitals and a great champion ofyoung people. His approval was readily given, that bothMary Immaculate Hospital and the Sisters of St. Dominicmight share in the proceeds.From the start, Sister involved local young people by wayof forming a committee to help plan the dances. Their firstmeeting was held in October, 1959 and drew 55 girls and boyswho were children of the doctors at Mary Immaculate Hospital,as well as from four all-girl schools. Those in attendance receivedthe proposed dance plans with great enthusiasm and came togetheras a committee. When the dances kicked off in November, 1959,Sister Catherinethese committee members handled most of the tasks associatedwith planning. Committee pins were symbolic of accomplishmentand cooperation. Credits were earned by compiling volunteerhours in the coat room each Sunday, helping adults and thenadvancing to more important assignments later.The first dance attracted over 300 girls and boys and grewsignificantly. Attendance was limited to members of the MariaRegina League, an organization established to set thestandards to which the dances must aspire. There werestrict dress codes, set by the students themselves, andstringent security measures in place during the dances.ID cards and admission tickets were required. Sisternoted later, “If these arrangements seemed too severe,the proof lay in the fact that in seven years of operatinga weekly dance for over 1,000 teenagers, there was noincident of any kind.”Regardless, throngs of young people arrived everySunday, from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Live music wasprovided first by “The Starlighters,” and later by “The Tremeloes.”The Chellis Hall Dance Program was a huge financial successfor the hospital and for the Sisters. It ended in August 1967when S. Catherine transferred from Mary Immaculate Hospitalto the Motherhouse, following her election to treasurer of theCongregation. However, the positive impact of her wisdom onthose who participated is still remembered with gratitude today.4Some Fond Memories of the Sunday Afternoon “Mixers” Held At Chellis HallKids came from near and far to attend those dances. Localbands covered songs by The Four Seasons and everyone did thetwo-step, which was like the cha cha. They had a lot of rules.Girls had to wear skirts but no white stockings, no fishnets andno sweaters without a blouse under it. Boys had to wear a jacketand tie. It was fun to go there and all for a good cause.These were great dances! There were some great local bandsthat played. I remember The Tremeloes from Queens. Fantastic!I was within earshot when Sister went up to a couple whowere dancing very closely and said “Leave room for the HolyGhost.” A variation was, “Leave room for your guardian angel!”

Education in AppalachiaContinued from page 3to it. Surprisingly, the speech of the hill people is basically derived fromthe Scotch-Irish of Western Pennsylvania who eventually settled there.Isolated from mainstream America for many generations because of themountains, they maintained the old speech forms that have long sincefallen from use.We gathered together every day outside in the garden for prayers,thanking God for the beauty of creation and for gifting us with theopportunity to serve the families of Appalachia. I witnessed tremendousleadership in the Molloy student mentors who spent quality time withthese campers. Whether it was hiking, playing games, or building bathouses, they became companions and friends in this web of life in BigLaurel. Both mentors and campers got actively involved in composting,paper burning, and the sorting of waste materials on a daily basis. Weshowered in rain water, and learned the importance of drinking waterby rationing. Mentors drove 45 minutes down the mountain to retrievewater in jugs that was safe for drinking.Two months after the trip, one of our Molloy students (a teachercandidate) said: “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about theAppalachia experience.” I do not think I will use the word “hillbilly”and its implied stereotype ever again. I know I encountered a peoplewho have very little materially but offered a culture that was rich innatural resources, music and fraternity.This was Molloy’s tenth year in partnership with Mount Laurel.The project was originally established in 1995 by one of our associatemembers, Nancy Goult, who is now a Dominican Sister. She saw theneed to address some health issues and contacted the Molloy NursingProgram for assistance. A volunteer program was established and is nowhoused in Campus Ministries, under the guidance of S. Diane Capuano.Some students even serve two years consecutively. There must besomething in that mountain air that keeps attracting them to continuethis wonderful tradition. For our students it is an invaluable lesson, anunforgettable experience, and more importantly, a glimpse of poverty inAmerica that shakes their spirit. Molloy’s generous and enthusiastic“yes” in 1995 continues to bear fruit today, in an exchange that helpsalleviate some of the hardships of poverty on one side, and, on theother, opens our students’ eyes to a culture that is rich in its ties tonature, in music, and in friendship.…and the preaching continues!Founders’ Day Celebration 2011Sisters Gina Fleming and Diane Capuano (secondand third from right) are joined by happy DominicanYoung Adults who participated in Founders’ Day.The Dominican Sisters ofAmityville celebrated theirannual Founders’ Day onSaturday, September 10th,to commemorate 158 yearsin the United States. After acelebration of the Liturgy inSt. Albert’s Chapel, a dayof joyous festivities tookplace at the Motherhouse.It was well-attended bySisters, Associates andfriends who came to honora history rich in charism.As 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—Fall 2011 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.Three St. Boniface Alumnae Recall the Sisters Who Taught ThemThese three lifelong friends were taught by the DominicanSisters of Amityville at St. Boniface School in Elmont. Theirdevotion to the Sisters has continued with Motherhouse visits,volunteer work and the annual Beauty of the Spirit Luncheon.6Their faces are still so clear to me—S. Jean Thomas, S. MarieFernanda, S. Francis Irene, S. Rose Eleanor and S. GraceMaureen. These were the Sisters who introduced me to theDominican teachers when I came to St. Boniface in May, 1939after moving to Long Island from the Bronx. Not only theirlessons, but their kindnesses have stayed with me throughoutmy life. I still remember December 6, 1940, when we arrived toclass, fourth grade, and S. Fernanda had put a piece of candy oneach of our desks because it was the feast of St. Nicholas. I stillthink of it every year on December 6.The multiplication tables are certainly ingrained in methanks to S. Frances Irene. S. Grace Maureen taught our class forseventh and eighth grade. She invited us to write to her brotherin the service during World War II, which developed a love ofcorrespondence that has stayed with me. All in all, these Sistershad a lasting influence on my life which I treasure today. I wisheveryone could be so lucky.Dorothy Becconsall HansenSt. Boniface alumnae, together at theBeauty of the Spirit Luncheon in 2011.(Counter clockwise from bottom left):Dorothy Hansen, Adele Lederer, JoanHochstrasser and their friend Ursula Utz.Iattended St. Boniface inElmont for eight years.In the fourth grade, we hadSister Fernanda. She wasgreat at teaching us how tomemorize by use of a wheelin the front of the classroomthat repeated the times tablesand the cities and countriesof the world.I remember that SisterFernanda would sit and sewon the back porch of theconvent and put strands of thread on the porch railing for thebirds to make a nest. How thoughtful!For the seventh and eighth grades we had Sister GraceMaureen Duffy. She was a good teacher and very kind. I alsotook piano lessons from her for two years. The lessons weregiven in the convent. I loved it and enjoyed learning to play.Many students from our class remained friends with Sister untilher death. I doubt there are many people who enjoyed givingtreats to others like she did.Adele LedererSt. Boniface Graduation Day, June 1944. Recognize anyone?Asmile comes into play whenever I think about the years Ispent at St. Boniface, from 5th grade to 8th grade—only4 years, but what wonderful years! I look back on them as suchan important part of my life. Not only did I learn to appreciatebeing a Catholic, but I learned so much about the religion thatI was privileged to be born into. The Church, the people, theSisters, the priests…how can I explain the influence all of thishad on me? It is difficult to describe what a special time that was.I received a great education and a dedication to my God andalso to my fellow students. The gift of those years at St. Bonifacehas carried over throughout my life. It will always be memorableto me. How lucky I was to have been a student of the Sisters ofSt. Dominic!Joan Strutt Hochstrasser (a lucky girl)RecentGrantsThe Sisters would like to thank these generous benefactors:The Harry Chapin Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant toThe Opening Word for general operating support.The Long Island Foundation for Women and Girls awarded a$7,500 grant to The Opening Word to provide literacy, lifetraining, job readiness, and computer instruction to participants.Zonta Charities of Suffolk County has granted a special financialaward to The Opening Word to assist with its language programs.The Patricia Koenig Fund has awarded $2,500 to the North ForkSpanish Apostolate, to help provide women and their children withthe tools needed to cope with and escape domestic violence andovercome the obstacles that prevent them from moving ahead.

Dominican Sisters of AmityvilleDevelopment Office555 Albany Avenue • Amityville, NY 11701NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S.POSTAGEPAIDST. MEINRAD, INPERMIT NO. 16…creating passion and partnerships for Mission.Rosary Hall in Autumn, the Potato HouseWe acknowledge our DOMINICAN BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP with gratitude ~TRUSTEESFarrell Fritz, PCG. Fazio Construction Co., Inc.Trinity Automotive ServicesMinuteman Press InternationalCOLLABORATORChem RXSTRATEGISTPinnacle Associates ~ Christine AckertAMBASSADORSThe Koehler Organization ❖ Waldorf & Associates ❖ The Donald & Barbara Zucker Family FoundationINVENTORCulinArt, Inc.PIONEERSGoodwill Industries of Greater NY & Northern NJSalah Hassanein Foundation ❖ The Investor Relations Group, Inc.Our Lady of Hope, Middle Village ❖ Mary & John LaneCHAMPIONSCharles J. Adams, Esq. ❖ Good Shepherd Farm, Inc.Manning & Napier Advisors, Inc.The Dominican Business Partnership is a collective of businesses that promote Dominican ministries by supporting these events: ourSpring Event, the Beauty of the Spirit Luncheon, and the Dominican Gala. A wide range of participation is available to accommodatebusiness plans of all sizes. To learn more about this program, please call the Development Office at 631-842-6000 ext 241.Help Us Build ConnectionsDo you have friends or family members who would like to receive this newsletter? If so, please fill in their name and address below andmail this coupon to: Carol Hansen, Development Office, Sisters of St. Dominic, 555 Albany Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701. Thank you.Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Address_________________________________________ City ______________________________ State ______ Zip _______________

Dominican Sisters of AmityvilleTo PraiseTo BlessTo PreachCongregation of the Holy CrossDominican Sisters of Amityville…and the preaching continues…Sisters Carolann Masone, OP (left)and Mary William Posthauer, OP atthe Beauty of the Spirit Luncheon.Membersof the Veritas SocietyAnonymousHelen M. BingertElisabeth V. Bohnert †Mr. & Mrs. Gregory M. BouleyEmilie CerarPatricia ChapelDorothy & Paul ClarkMaureen G. CollinsDeacon Tony CuseoPatricia Chambers DalyRev. John J. FitzgeraldFloramay GannonMargaret C. GehnrichMarie DeSantis GragnanielloRev. Martin J. HallMs. Carol J. HansenDolores HaydenCynthia M. Johnson †Claire B. JosephJoseph LevonasAngela MinsavitchDiane MuzioRichard C. NerodLester J. † & Frances M. PoggioliHoward & Antoni ShannonThomas & Carol SilvestriJoseph F. SteinRita E. StufanoMarie StufanoMary J. VerrallMarie WahnCharitable Gift Annuities For AllThe Charitable Gift Annuity Program offered bythe Dominican Sisters of Amityville is celebratingits 5th birthday. Because the program’s charterwas established in New York, it has been a greatbenefit to New York residents. We are pleased toannounce a new partnership with the ComericaCharitable Trust and Legacy Foundation, whichhosts charitable gift annuities for the entireUnited States.A Charitable Gift Annuity contract is agifting tool that enables a donor to establish acontribution that will generate an immediatecharitable income tax deduction, plus provide anincome stream for life. The Comerica LegacyFoundation enables this type of gifting strategy tohappen with ease for all our out-of-state donorswho want to support the Dominican Sisters ofAmityville with this mutually beneficial vehicle.Becoming a donor through Comerica issimple. With a few important facts, Comericaprovides custom illustrations to demonstrate howyour contract will function. Their goal mirrorsours in the Dominican Sisters of Amityville’sDevelopment Office—to help you make yourimpact on the future—creating a Legacy of Truth.All you need to do is decide how you willfund your CGA contract (with cash or appreciatedassets); the minimum gift is $10,000 per contract.Then decide if the income distributions are forone or two lives, and for Immediate or Deferreddistributions. When you fund your contract, theComerica Legacy Foundation will handle all ofthe administration responsibilities to insure thatyou receive your income distributions in a timelyBuild your Legacy of Truth ~ Become a Member of the Veritas SocietyYes, I want to become a member of the Veritas Society. Please contact me regarding:❑Bequest ❑Charitable Gift Annuity ❑Gifting Appreciated Stock ❑IRA Gifting ❑Life InsuranceNameAddressmanner and that the charitable legacy you planbecomes a reality!Every contract is backed by the ComericaLegacy Foundation. The minimum donor age for aComerica Immediate CGA contract (donor drawsan income within the first year) is 60 years old.Deferred CGAs can be established at any age,with distributions beginning on or after age 60.Our first out-of-state CGA participants, Pauland Dorothy Clark of Pennsylvania, wanted tocreate a Charitable GiftAnnuity to benefit theDominican Sisters ofAmityville.“Chris Kelly atComerica Foundationmade it a seamless act,”Dorothy and Paul ClarkCityState Zip Phone Emailsaid Dorothy Clark.“He helped us do whatwe have wanted to do for several years—supportthe future endeavors of the Sisters while increasingour current income.”“Chris made us feel confident and secure inour decision,” added Paul Clark, “assuring us thatour gift will be exclusively for the DominicanSisters of Amityville.”Charitable Gift Annuity rates are incrediblycompetitive: Single-life rates range from 4.8% to9.8%; two-life rates range from 4.3% to 9.3%.New York and out-of-state residents are encouragedto call Pat Chambers Daly at 631-842-6000, ext.241. She will work with you to find the best planthat will help you create your Legacy of Truth andmake a real impact on the future!Our legal title is Sisters of the Order of St. Dominic, Amityville, NY7