On Saint Dominic’s Feast Day, we had a wonderful celebration with sisters, staff, and friends of our community. We shared a mass, barbecue, and lots of sunflowers and cake! May the preaching continue!
Scroll below the photos to read a reflection offered by Sister Patricia Magee, OP.
Sister Connie Kelly, OP welcomes the group
Dr. Robert Gervasi, President of Mount Saint Mary College, offers a reading
Sister Connie Koch, OP offers a reading
Sister Patricia Magee, OP offers a reflection
Sister Anne Marie Bucher, OP reads intentions
From left: Sister Janet Marchesani, OP, Sister Patricia Magee, OP, Ronni Schaflin, Sister Anne Gordon, OP, Sister Connie Koch, OP
From left: Sister Anne Marie Bucher, OP, Sister Bette Ann Jaster, OP, Maryjo Mastrogiacomo
From left: Sisters Mary Ann Cirillo, OP, Barbara Anderson, OP, Pat Jelly, OP, Pat Flynn, OP, Margaret Charles, OP
From left: Carl Procario-Foley, Dr. Gervasi and guest, Sisters Margaret Anderson, OP, Cecilia Murray, OP
From left: Sisters Mary Ann Clausson, OP, Jeanette Redmond, OP, Mary Anthony Schmittauer, OP
From left: Sister Mary Schneiders, OP, Janet Corso, Martha LaVallee, Sister Linda Rivers, OP, Sister Shannon Yount, OP
From left: Sisters Mary Headley, OP, Connie Kelly, OP, Lois Dee, OP, Lucy Povilonis, OP
Staff of the Dominican Sisters of Hope with Sister Maria Barbera, OP (right)
From left: Sister Judy Brunell, OP, Sister Lorelle Elcock, OP, Leeanna Varga, guest, Liz Baganz
From left: Sisters Cecilia James Hayes, OP, Eileen Breen, OP, Patricia Sullivan, OP, Andrea Jurewicz, OP, Eileen Hollen, OP
About twenty years ago, the OPSCC leadership (then known as NED 6) created a Dominican leadership training program for sisters under age 50. Several of us from Hope attended. I have a vivid memory of Sparkill Dominican Nancy Richter portraying Dominic. With her hair cut short and donning a Dominican habit, she spoke in the voice of Dominic. In the ensuing years, the image she portrayed is one that has fed my love of our Founder, deepened my life commitment, and strengthened my values.
The Dominic I have grown to love, was a man simply on fire with the mission of Jesus. Unlike the politicians and the Taylor Swifts of our time, his work was never intended to draw attention to himself. His preaching was his testimony to the truth of God’s love for us and his desire for all of creation, to know life to the full. Dominic experienced deep freedom as he joyfully discerned and responded to God’s call. Freedom through discernment became a radical democratic model of religious life that endures today.
Dominic did not set out to create a movement that would continue for more than 800 years. He simply dedicated his life to the empowering love of God. He experienced that love as a mutual dynamic of healing and hope that provides an enduring energy for mission.
Dominic had a dream for us and today’s readings reveal much of its content. Isaiah speaks a prophesy of God’s relationship with the people and a promise to return and to be with them always. It uncovers the joy of the preacher who calls others to pursue the Truth of God’s love for all.
Paul’s letter to Timothy reminds us not only of the imperative to be people of Mission, but it also suggests a posture for embracing the complexities of our time. We all understand that responding to the deeply interconnected issues of our times require community. Dominic knew that the pursuit of Truth was never meant to be done in isolation. Navigating the path of Truth and Mercy requires the persistence that Paul encourages in Timothy, whether convenient or inconvenient. Our current culture is all-to-ready to sacrifice truth and to demonize the other. Dominic, in imitation of Jesus shows us the path of communion fed by contemplation, mutual listening, and relentless pursuit of Truth.
Relative to all of this, I am reminded of the wonderful conferences offered by our Brother Timothy Radcliffe to the participants of the October 2023 Synod on Synodality. In a poignant January 2024 NCR article about Timothy and his remarkable contribution to the Synod, Cardinal Tobin reflected on his experience with Timothy. After sharing a meal, Tobin remembers seeing Radcliffe washing dishes after dinner. “Isn’t religious life beautiful?” Tobin said to him at the time. “One minute you’re a peacock, and the next minute you’re a feather duster.” The two former heads of global religious orders shared a laugh in the moment, but Radcliffe later told Tobin it had provided him with helpful material for spiritual meditation.” Does that not remind you of Dominic?
Dominic lived exuberantly the call of today’s Gospel to be vibrant in the mission of Jesus- to be like salt in preserving all life on this planet. Like him, may we also, be beacons of light in our darkened world. preaching by our lives in communion with our loving God that only Truth will set us free to live and love in the spirit of our brother Dominic.