Join us as we celebrate 150 Years of Service!
Saint Augustine was born in present day Algeria, where, presumably, his mother Saint Monica, lived. Here is a painting of Saint Monica by artist John Nava. It has been said that behind every great man there is a great woman, and surely this is true of the saint we honor today, St. Monica, the mother of […]
In God’s Good Time Read More »
The Assumption of Virgin Mary by Guido Reni Vigil of the Assumption 2026 Our first reading for the Vigil Mass begins: “David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the Lord to the place which he had prepared for it.” The Ark of the Covenant and the Assumption of the Queen into
Mary, Mother of Hope Read More »
The Ascension Into Heaven, by Eldre Delvie There is a lovely true story that reflects somewhat on today’s feast day that I would like to share with you. It concerns the completion of the opera Turandot by Puccini, the composer who was dying of cancer in 1928. He was aware that he probably would not
Ascension Thursday, 2026 Read More »
We invite you to see through the creative eyes of our poets!
Poetry for the Soul Read More »
We come together to celebrate this Mass of Thanksgiving, grateful for the blessings that we have received during the mystery of our time together. We have shared more deeply in our time together than we ever do, as we have spoken about that which is most dear to us, our mission and life together. In
Good morning, and a blessed Easter Tuesday. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” Amen. Easter and Chapter are not simply events we mark on a calendar—they are moments. Living, grace-filled moments that invite us to pause, to listen, and to respond. In today’s Gospel (John 20:11–18), Mary
Called by Name: From Moment to Mission Read More »
Station of the cross, Saint Symphorian church of Pfettisheim, Bas-Rhin, France. XIXth century. In today’s liturgy, there is a recommended second collect prayer referring to the sufferings of Mary during this time before holy week. We heard the priest say, “Give your Church the grace to imitate the Blessed Virgin Mary devoutly in contemplating the
With Mary in Sorrow Read More »
Sister Mary Ann Collins, OP, of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, offered the following reflection on John 9:1–41 during Evening Vespers for the Fourth Week of Lent. Have you ever looked at someone and not really seen them? I’m reminded of my first day ministering in a maximum-security prison for women. Although I
In today’s readings, we hear God tell Abram to go forth, leave his home, family, and all he knows. In the second reading, Saint Paul admits that there will be hardship, but we will receive strength from God. The account of the Transfiguration in Matthew’s Gospel (Ch.17) may seem so extraordinary that it is difficult
Where is Your Mountain? Read More »
Kieran Keenan, STAC ’24, MS in Ed, ’26 It’s great to be with all of you. I recognize some familiar faces from STAC’s feast day Mission Moment program a couple of weeks ago. I had the privilege of sharing my experience walking in the footsteps of St. Dominic during my trip to Fanjeaux, France. And
Led Into the Desert: From Ego-Drama to Theo-Drama Read More »
From the earliest days of Christianity, the Church has commemorated the forty days preceding Our Lord’s public life as a season of transformation for His faithful followers, during which we are encouraged to follow His example of prayer and fasting. During His desert experience, Jesus was presented with temptations that were both physical and psychological,
Ash Wednesday 2026 Read More »
Tonight, we celebrate the most improbable mystery of all time. The Scriptures remind us of the human genealogy of the birth of a special child, promised through many generations. What was not expected was the manner in which this long-anticipated event would take place. For in ages past, humankind was—and still is—impressed with might, power,
First, I would like to thank Sister Diane and the Dominican Sisters for inviting me to give a reflection today. I admire all the work that you do for our community and the world, and I am honored to be speaking today Two weeks ago, we began the season of Advent by lighting the first
Hope, One Day at a Time Read More »
The first verse from the Isaiah reading (Isaiah 11:1-10) we heard this evening said: “Then a shoot will sprout from the stump of Jesse; from Jesse’s roots, a branch will blossom.” According to Google, the stump of Jesse is a biblical prophecy that symbolizes hope for a future ruler from the line of Jesse, the
Advent: Returning to Our Roots Read More »
How appropriate it is that the feast of the Sorrowful Mother, which we celebrate today, falls immediately after the commemoration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It speaks to us of how closely the heart of Mary was entwined with that of her crucified Son.
Mary, Model of Courage Read More »
Tomorrow is September 11. Where were you 24 years ago, on 9/11? I suspect that all of us recall exactly where we were on September 11, 2001. That day of horror and tragedy is seared into our hearts and into our memory. Now… where were you on September 10, 2001? Do you remember that day?
Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel: An Anniversary of Faith Read More »
For the second week of Advent Vespers, Sister Valorie preached about the connection between the Immaculate Conception and Peace in Haiti. Like Mary, we are called to share our sacred power to re-create the world. Sister Valorie Lordi, OP, is the school nurse at St. John Chrysostom School, Bronx, NY.
Re-Creation of a New World 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 »
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 »
As the season of winter deepens its hold on us, nature provides us the opportunity to pursue an increased awareness of the gift of silence. There appears to be a death to growth all around us. Nature presents to us a picture of stillness which other seasons lack. But it is the silence of nature
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
The strongest muscle in your body is . . . your tongue! It can build up or tear down, comfort and console, or wreak havoc and devastation. What the tongue enables us to produce is words. What happens when this simple, small organ belongs to God? Looking at Isaiah 55:10-11, we see that the Word
The strongest muscle in your body Read More »