On April 22, 2025, we will celebrate the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. While we’ve come a long way since that first Earth Day in 1970, we still have a very long way to go as we respond to the call of Laudato Sí, the encyclical by Pope Francis which will mark its tenth anniversary […]
Preacher: Michael Keegan, St. Thomas Aquinas College – Class of 2026 A reading from today’s Gospel as written by Luke: Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years
Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Read More »
Sr. Helen R. Boyd, OP Today we hear these words: “Fear not Mary for you have found favor with God,” and later, “For you shall conceive and bear a son who will be called Son of the Most High.” Mary responded, “How can this be since I know not man?” Others in the Old Testament
Feast of the Annunciation Read More »
Originally known in the Roman Missal as the celebration of Our Lady of Compassion, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows has been commemorated in the Church since the 15th century. The Seven Sorrows of Mary focus mainly on the Passion of Our Lord. I would like to suggest that there is a wider understanding
The Seven Sorrows of Mary Read More »
Siena Hall is home to more than 40 Sparkill Dominican Sisters who receive nursing care. Join Sparkill Dominican Sister’s Chris Ferrar and Nora McCarthy as they share the story of the Sisters’ Peace Prayer for Ukraine. https://sparkill.org/wp-content/uploads/siena_hall_peacemakers_2.mp3
Siena Hall Peacemakers Read More »
One of the things I love most about the season of spring is its imperceptibility—its daily surprises. One day there appears to be nothing sprouting and then, within a span of a few hours or days, tiny new growths appear. It’s as if the struggles of winter give way to the fruits of patient endurance.
Happy Earth Day! Please join me in giving thanks for Senator Gaylord Nelson and others, especially those in the anti-war movement, whose efforts to connect the health of the planet with the health of the human family resulted in the annual celebration of Earth Day in 1970. Let us celebrate Earth Day 2022 with a
This day of hosannas and palms begins a very sacred week in our liturgical year, one that is filled with both terrifying and glorious moments. It is actually the triumph of the Incarnation which we celebrated on Christmas and puts a “period” at the end of the sentence… and God became human. These seven days
The Path to Calvary Read More »
For centuries, the Church has observed Lent as a season for examining our personal spiritual growth. We can recall the practice as children of giving up something that we especially liked for those forty days. But as we grow older, we try to reflect Saint Paul’s insight: “When I was a child I thought as
A Lenten Barometer Read More »
It is hard to believe. We’re still saying, “Happy New Year,” yet we are now ready to mark Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 17th. Every year, many tributes to Dr. King include references to his “I Have A Dream” speech. Does Dr. King’s statement “I have a dream….” make him a
Gather The Dreamers Read More »
As we meditate on the scenes of Christmas, we see a peaceful scene of Joseph, Mary, and the Baby Jesus in a stable. Soon they were visited by shepherds with their sheep from the nearby hills. It was to these poor Jewish shepherds that the heavenly host of angels gave the first manifestation, or epiphany,
Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord Read More »
Sister Mary Murray, OP, president of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, reflects on the humble birth of Jesus and its meaning for our world. Sister Mary offers a wish for Christmas blessings to all on behalf of the Sparkill Dominican Sisters and Associates. Christmas Blessings 2021 from Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
Christmas Blessings 2021 Read More »
When asked to reflect on Our Lady of Guadalupe, I felt confident that I would be able to sit and write effortlessly about the Patroness of the Americas. How could this be a difficult task when I know, so well, the story of Juan Diego and his encounter with the Virgin Mary on the hill
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us! Read More »
Angel Gabriel was first to proclaim Mary’s immaculate conception when he addressed her: “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!” God had a plan and had prepared her for it. From her conception in the womb of her mother Saint Anne, Mary was free from sin. This belief has been held and
O Mary, conceived without sin…. Read More »
We need Advent, this time of hope, expectation, light shining in the darkness. We need to hear once again those Advent scriptures—of a lion lying down with a lamb, of valleys being raised and mountains made low, crooked paths becoming straight, the rough ways smooth, and the dawn from on high breaking upon us, guiding
Light the Advent Candles Read More »
Have you ever noticed a blade of grass coming through the middle of an asphalt driveway? The slender blade is so strong that it can push its way right through the asphalt. Yet that same blade of grass is so delicate that even a child’s fingers can pull it apart into a dozen pieces. A
The power of a blade of grass… Read More »
Once there was a lioness who gave birth to a tiny cub and then died. The little cub was lost, but he finally found a herd of goats who were bleating and eating grass. The cub stayed with the goats and learned to make bleating sounds and even learned to eat grass. One day another
Who We Are and Whose We Are Read More »
I imagine that many school-aged children look upon Labor Day with mixed emotions—saying goodbye to summer vacation and hello to a new school year. I wouldn’t be surprised if some start counting the days until their first school holiday and, for most, that would be Columbus Day. Throughout its history, this holiday has generated controversy,
A holiday to reflect on… Read More »
October, a brilliant season when the cool crisp days encourage the trees to turn yellow, red, and gold, brightens our spirits. Have you realized that our two loveliest months, May and October, are dedicated to Mary? Fittingly, during this beautiful month we celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary with a special day on October 7.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us! Read More »
Social Justice Ministry has been active in my home Archdiocese of St. Louis for my entire life. As I look back over my lifetime, I am saddened by the events that made a ministry for social justice a necessity, while being grateful for the active involvement of the sisters and priests of the St. Louis
There but for the grace of God… Read More »
One of the great gifts of living in the United States is the opportunity to learn about and celebrate our diverse cultures. From September 15 to October 15, we have the opportunity to enrich our lives by exploring National Hispanic Heritage Month which has been celebrated every year since 1988. Those of us who are
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Read More »
Last July, Sr. Cecilia, the director of One To One Learning, a ministry of our congregation serving immigrants, came to ask me if I would throw out the first pitch in honor of the ministry’s 25th anniversary which would be held at the stadium of our local team, the Rockland Boulders. I thought to myself
Not every pitch is perfect! Read More »
And then the soldiers stripped Jesus of his clothing. They made a crown of thorns and placed it on his head and a reed in his right hand, shouting insults and making fun of him. They began spitting on him, taking the reed and beating him with it. – Matthew 27:28-30 During our Border mission
The Miracle of Shoelaces Read More »
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” – Matthew 25: 35- 36 These words best describe my five-day experience serving the migrant
Matthew 25 in Laredo, Texas Read More »
Traveling anywhere with one or two little ones is quite a feat, especially with each ones’ supplies for the journey. Can you imagine having four or five children and traveling through extremely dangerous foreign land, unable to communicate and having no help? At first you might have a little luggage, money, and energy, but by
From June 28 – July 7, 2021, I was blessed to travel to Laredo, Texas, as part of a Dominican Sisters (OPSCC) mission team to Laredo with seven amazing women: Sister Patricia Daly (Caldwell), Sister Patricia Ginty (Blauvelt), Fiona Kyle, Sister Valorie Lordi (Sparkill), Sister Carolann Masone (Amityville), Sister Diane McSherry (Sparkill), and Sister Margaret
Courage and Compassion at the Border Read More »
In early 1884, our Mother Dominic Dowling purchased a plot of land on the west side of the Hudson River in Rockland County, New York. This was to carry out the Dominican Sisters’ plan to provide a healthier environment for the homeless children in their care. In June of that same year, four Sisters and
Rockland County’s best kept secret Read More »
I was pleasantly surprised when a notice was released asking Associates to consider assisting during weddings and funerals in Sacred Heart Chapel. The tasks were outlined: to open the chapel doors, switch on the audio and lighting systems, dress the altar with fresh linens and the sacred vessels, and remain on site during the function.
A grace-filled ministry Read More »
Reflecting on the life of St. Dominic de Guzman seems particularly timely this year, since precisely 800 years have passed since his death on August 6, 1221. Let’s take a moment to go back to the time when Dominic lived his extraordinary life on this earth. Historians and others tell us that Dominic was a
Reflecting on Saint Dominic Read More »
