Sisters gather to listen to the music of the band The Common Chords! Associate Angela Belsole accepts an award for her work with Songcatchers and awards were given to Sister Flor Buruca and Sister Diane Capuano for their work in El Salvador.

"Beautiful is the moment in which we understand that we are no more than an instrument of God; we live only as long as God wants us to live; we can only do as much as God makes us able to do; we are only as intelligent as God would have us be."

- Oscar Romero

SHARINGS FROM LEADERSHIP

A Column by the Leadership Team

Shared Leadership Day:

See you for Shared Leadership Day on this Saturday, April 29^th. The Alive in Joy and Hope Exhibit will also be open on the first floor of the Motherhouse for sisters, associates and young adults to view. If you have not sent an RSVP, please email bnirrengartenop@amityop.org or call 631-608-9334, ASAP.

Vespers Time Change

Change: There is a time shift. Vespers will now occur at 4 PM on Sunday, April 30th.

Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa Announce New Council:

The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa gratefully announce the results of their twenty-fifth General Chapter of Elections. These sisters will assume office in the summer of 2023 and serve in these roles until 2028. Thank you for your prayer and support as we continue to live out our mission and Chapter directives. From left: Councilor-elect Jeanne Tranel, OP; Vicaress-elect Julie Schwab, OP; Councilor-elect Judith Schaefer, OP; Councilor-elect Betsy Pawlicki, OP; Prioress-elect Christina Heltsley, OP; and Councilor-elect Christine Feagan, OP.

Fundraiser Held for Sol Naciente by Molloy Alumni

Sol Naciente means “rising sun” in Spanish. This weekend, rising like a new sun, more than 75 Molloy University alumni and friends gathered at an event called Hope Sol Naciente Experience at Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale. They shared stories about their mission trips to El Salvador and raised funds for ongoing projects in the villages of Once and Sol Naciente. Some sisters and associates attended as well. 

Students from Molloy University and Dominican University have been attending service trips to help run summer camp for the children there for almost ten years. “I was quite humbled by the event,” said Sister Diane Capuano, a member of the Leadership Council as well as former campus minister at the college. “This is my heart….I am just so proud of these young people. I’m getting old, I am the abuela now," she laughed. "But the mission continues with these young people....We (sisters) can’t do all of the work anymore -- particularly, running the camp, kicking balls, lifting kids: we need young people for that!” 

For the past few years, Molloy alumni have worked to create a non-profit to help stay connected, fund projects, and aid families in El Salvador. Organizers of this fundraiser include alumni: Joseph Marino, who works in business, Eddie Cramsie, an accountant, Mary Roedig, a nurse, and Jeffrey Lozano, a teacher at St. Martin de Porres Marianist School in Uniondale. 

During the event, current Molloy students gave presentations on their experiences with the mission trip. One student is now considering a career as an immigration lawyer. Michelle Martin -- who attended the mission trips as a student now leads the mission trips as the Campus Minister of Molloy University. 

At the event, alumni honored Sister Flor Buruca with the Founders Award. “They gave this award to Sister Flor because they consider her a saint, really and truly,” gushed Sister Diane. “This award is for her ministry and who she is to the people there and to these young people, and the many lives she’s changed by simply being who she is.”

Sister Diane received the 2023 Service Award at the event, for her years of service in El Salvador leading mission trips and so much more. 

Sister Diane also received a gift from the children of El Salvador. Sister Flor carried it on her lap on the plane from her homeland. It was a basket with a balloon and homemade flowers with messages from the children: "Te Amo" and "Thank you, Hermana!"

“This is my greatest joy,” said Sister Diane. “My heart is bursting with pride. To be just one little speck of this is humbling.”

Sister Francis Piscatella Makes Headlines as Oldest Sister in the United States

S. Francis Piscatella made headlines and appeared on television this past week for being a "super" centenarian at 110 years old. The Tablet quoted her as saying "I'm no better than anybody else." These articles listed below, however, show she is very special, and we are blessed to have her ! Happy Birthday, Sister Francis! Special thanks to all who attended and helped organize the event . Also, thank to Greg Shemitz for his beautiful photography. (Picture above)

The Catholic Faith Network will be airing a segment on Sister Francis TODAY, Thursday at 7PM and another segment on Friday. Stay tuned!

Here is the story from ABC news:

https://abc7ny.com/long-island-nun-turns-110-amityville-sister-piscatella-st-albert-chapel-at-queen-of-rosary-motherhouse/13161833/

Here is the story from Newsday by Bart Jones

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/religion/sister-francis-dominici-piscatella-110-birthday-m5oivlxj

Here is the story from The Tablet by Paula Katinas

https://thetablet.org/nun-older-at-110-sister-francis-inspires-her-family-friends-fellow-nuns/

Here is the story from News 12

https://longisland.news12.com/easton-williston-nun-celebrates-110th-birthday-with-amityville-dominicans

Associates Mary Stanis & Angela Belsole and Sisters Peggy McVetty & Judy Flanagan

Angela Belsole Receives Award for Songcatchers!

On Friday, April 21, 2023, the New Rochelle Council of Community Services honored "Community Champions" including our very own Associate Angela Belsole. Angela was honored for her work with the nonprofit Songcatchers which helps to provide affordable access to music education, training and enrichment to children and families in and around New Rochelle, New York. 

Angela Belsole has been the Interim Director of Songcatchers for four years, and saw the program through the challenges of COVID, keeping members connected and making music! She has been involved with the program more than 20 years, since her son Christopher joined as a small child. Over the years, she has assisted Songcatchers in development, grant writing, and events.

Pictured above: Jack and Greg -- proud veterans -- gave S. Carol an Army sweatshirt.

The Band is Back!!!

The band the Common Chords -- with S. Carol Standerwick and her friends Jack and Greg -- made a repeat performance on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023. The Sisters sang along with old-time favorites and snacked on baked goodies. At the end of the performance, volunteers passed out chocolates from a huge Whitman candy box. Sister Kay McCarthy had given the chocolates to Sister Erica Burkhardt who then graciously shared it with the sisters.

Beauty of the Spirit Luncheon will Feature S. Jeanne Clark

Our 22nd annual Beauty of the Spirit event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 28^th at The Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. This year’s Keynote Speaker is S. Jeanne Clark, OP, Founder of Homecoming Farm. If you would like to donate baskets, gift cards or other new and unused items for our auction, please stop by the Advancement Office. Sisters who are interested in attending the luncheon may contact Susan for information about sponsored tickets: 631-842-6000 ext. 246.

Gentle Reminders:

Prayer Day for Renewing Associates and Candidates is on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Next Associates Meeting To Be Rescheduled: Because of our upcoming Leadership Day on April 29^th as well as the opening of the Alive in Joy and Hope Experience on the first floor of the Motherhouse, the Associates Meeting scheduled for Sunday, April 30th will be rescheduled for a future time. Thank you for your understanding.

Join the Amityville Dominican Sisters Committee, We Move Forward Together, for an inspiring event, Gazing Into the Cosmos on Saturday, May 13th, on the big screen in Amityville’s Mother Josepha Hall. 

Arrival is 11:30 am with preliminary slides from the James Webb Space Telescope beginning at 11:45 am. Noon time begins input and reflection on the slides as indicated below. Program concludes at 2pm.

Registration is a must: 

Please email cmasoneop@amityop.org

so we can plan for your attendance.

 We will be happy to accept your offering of $20 upon arrival

at the Motherhouse. Cash only. If you have not already sent cmasoneop@amityop.org. Light refreshments will be served.

Anti-Racism Retreat Afternoon

Recently, Sisters Mary Nolan, Lenore Toscano, and Emily Masse were part of a retreat afternoon to reflect on the seriousness of racism and anti-Semitism shown in our country and in Suffolk County. Abraham's Table --part of Long Island Jobs with Justice --called faith leaders together to see how we can work together to overcome this terrible sin. Efforts are being made, but more needs to be done. The event was held on the Sisters of St. Joseph's property in Brentwood.

National Religious Brothers Day

National Religious Brothers Day is May 1st, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

The Diocese of Brooklyn will celebrate on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at the 11 am Mass at St. Gregory the Great Parish, 242-20 88^th Avenue in Bellerose.

The Religious Formation Conference is also sharing events to celebrate. Click here for more information. The Brothers Think Tank will host a virtual celebration on May 1, 2023, from 2 - 3 PM EST. This 7th Annual Religious Brothers Day program has been planned by Marianist Brother Andrew Kosmowski, SM and DeLaSalle Christian Brother J.D. Macioce, FSC. It will include reflections by several Brothers and friends of the Brothers.

The Freshness of Hope

Sister Pat Duffy will be holding a Spring Presentation on Sunday, May 7 from 1:30 - 3 PM at Mary Immaculate Church, Brown's Lane, Bellport. She reminds us that we are an Easter people! This truth can get lost in our day-to-day living.

Mount St. Mary Hosts Laudato Si Event with Founder of the Catholic Climate Covenant

There are some exciting upcoming events at Mount St. Mary Retreat Center including:

• a guided retreat weekend on Mary Magdalene
• a professional day for spiritual directors with Sr. Nancy Sheridan, SASV

Information can always be found at http://www.msmhope.org.

Long Beach Condo

The following two weeks are available for two or more Sisters for vacation/retreat:

July 29th - August 6th

August 12th - 19th

Please contact Sister Judy Olsen at 917-991-2054 if you wish to reserve one of these weeks.

Ave Clark's New Book: God's Song

You can also order the book directly from Sister Ave to receive a holy card book mark. Thank you lots. Go to the website to learn more about this book and others, along with reflections, meditations and more.

Dear Sisters, Associates and friends,

As we celebrate Jesus' own death and resurrection, I'm buoyed up by these sacred events and believe my brother Philip, now enjoys the fullness of Christ's peace. Thank you for your outpouring of prayers, emails and cards.

God bless you, Sister Mary Spencer

1. May Updates: Necrology Large Print PDF or Word Format; Necrology Foldover PDF, Dominican Praise Foldover and Large Print; Christian Prayer Foldover and Large Print PDF as well as the Updated Calendar and May Birthdays.