Women's History Month 2012 - 8

VOWED LIFE

At the opening of the 1983 Chapter, Sr. Timothy's address and challenges called us to...

"...the need to recapture and live out in a new way the holiness contained in our vows.  This need is present not only because our modern world is asking for such witness, but also because we as community require such for our identity.  If we are to preserve and promote our identity, there must be a renewal awareness and an adherence to the vows to which we committed ourselves in the first place because of their power to transform our lives.  The vows are fundamental to our life as a religious community.  They are means to shape and structure our thinking, our decisions, our response to the world in which we find ourselves.  The values of the evangelical counsels are in truth the very best elements for building a world that is truly human."

St. Patrick and St. Joseph

As we get ready for St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day celebrations, what are your favorite traditions, recipes, music, etc.?

Women's History Month 2012 - 7

HERITAGE AND REFOUNDING

Sr. Mary Eileen O'Brien's Address to the Chapter Member in November 1992 held the message that...

"...We have been blessed by our call and response as Blauvelt Dominicans.  We have been strengthened by each other's response to this Chapter event... Each is vital!  Our heritage is rich; may our response ever be generous to our God, to one another and to all we are called to serve.  Let nothing block our resolve to be about the refounding of this community with Christ as cornerstone, and the truthful compassionate version of Dominic and Mary Ann [Sammon] as guide."

On The Set of Boardwalk Empire

Once again our Motherhouse has been converted into a hospital.  This time, St. Theresa's Catholic Hospital for the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.  Here are some photos from the set-up and day of filming.

The main entrance to the Chapel was completely transformed for filming.

Sr. Thomas Joseph tried to be an extra in the show.

Nurses and patients wait in the Huston Room until it is time to film their scene.

The doctors catch up on reading and listening to music.

 

Women's History Month 2012 - 6

DIALOGUE AND STRUGGLE

Included in Sr. Barbara Werner's Address to the General Chapter of December 1998 is a call...

"We are called forth at this time to enter into a serious dialogue about the basic meaning of our lives in community and in service to God's people.  We cannot be satisfied with small answers or smug answers or pat answers.  We must struggle with the question.  The struggle will involve:
-Discernment of the forces which today are changing the contours of religious life
-An honost appraisal of our personal experiences
-A rootedness in our Charism and in the Dominican Family.
We must determine what will be necessary if our charism is to flourish into the future.  We must believe in ourselves strongly enough to invite others to join us in vowed membership, associate membership and as Dominican Volunteers."

Women's History Month 2012 - 5

SIGN

Sr. Mary Ann Collins' opening of our "Chapter of Embracing Our Future with Hope:  Called to be Light" on February 18, 2005

"...Our visibility is the powerful witness of lives that speak.  We are reduced in number, so that it is clear that religious life makes visible a power that does not lie in big institutions, in wealth or status, but in the sacramental power of who we are and what we do.  In a world saturated with symbols [...] what kind of sign can we be?  If we are to flourish and be visible in this world, it must be because we embody a happiness that is inexplicable and provocative.  We must be visible.  People must know that we are around, grounded in prophetic witness and reflecting a contemplative attitude to life..."

Irish Concert 2012

Yesterday, Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones stopped in for a performance for our senior Sisters before performing at a concert for our benefit. The local group Ceol Milis also performed.

The Young Wolfe Tones giving a performance in our dining room.

Derek shows Sr. Francis Jerome how to play the bodhran.

Sr. Ann Louise also tries.  Derek said he could tell she was a musician by her great sense of rhythm.

Sr. Cely introduces Ceol Milis

Luckily, the keyboard player also does a little step-dancing.

Derek tells of the importance of music in conveying Ireland's history.