WEAVINGS Newsletter - Dominican Sisters of Sparkill

DOMINICAN SISTERS OF SPARKILL, NY
Dear Friends,
In Gratitude
This year marks the 28th anniversary of
our Congregational Development Office.
We have been blessed over the years
with your generosity. Your support has
enabled our community to continue
our ministries, helping them to thrive
as they meet the needs of the people
being served. You truly are our partners
in mission.
Sister Peggy Scarano, Development Director
Your goodness and generosity has a long reach. From Haiti to
Pakistan, in ministries in St. Louis, New Jersey and New York,
you have been there supporting Dominican Sisters in our
mission to address the needs of those people most in need
of our presence, support and care.
This year your contributions have helped in the purchase and
installation of solar panels for Dominican Convent School in
Bahawalpur as well has supporting Dominican Primary School in
Multan, Pakistan. Your donations have also provided support
for the mobile medical unit in Haiti. Here in the States your
contributions have supported childhood education at St. John
Chrysostom in the Bronx, NY and an after-school program for
children attending the Family Center in East St. Louis. Your
continued support in helping our elder sisters is very much
appreciated. These are just some of the ways in which your
prayers and contributions have helped the Dominican Sisters
in our mission and life as a Congregation during this year. You
will find more stories about the impact of your generosity in
the pages that follow.
Our Constitutions call us to the “proclamation of the reign of
God through a ministry for justice wherein we focus on enablement of the poor, of the powerless, of the oppressed, and of
the spiritually deprived people of our times. Our mission is one
in which we strive to be about building the reign of God. We are
deeply grateful to each one of you for your prayers and generous
support. Be assured of our daily prayers for you and your intentions. You truly are our partners in mission.
God Bless You!
Sister Mary Murray
President
SUMMER 2016
The Congregation extends a heartfelt
thank you to Sister Peggy Scarano
for the 28 years she has served as
Development Director. Throughout
the 28 years of Sister Peggy Scarano’s
ministry she has consistently given of
her time and talents to promote the
mission and the goal of the Dominican
Sisters of Sparkill.
Sister Peggy has been a positive
presence to our donors and always expressed appreciation for
each of you and your generosity and goodness in supporting
the mission of the Dominican Sisters. She has shared our story
with a vast public and has reached out in numerous ways to
engage you, our donors, in sharing our mission through your
prayers and donations. She has worked tirelessly to support
the needs of our elderly Sisters who pray daily for you and your
intentions. In her own words:
“I will be forever grateful for having served as our Development
Director. It has truly been my honor and privilege and a blessing
in my life. I leave feeling really proud of all of our accomplishments through the years and look forward to the new challenges
and the many surprises God probably has waiting for me.”
Welcome, Karen Ellis
Director of Mission Advancement
Karen comes to us with a wealth of
experience in this field. We are looking
forward to Karen’s time with us. Karen
began working at Dominican Convent
in the spring and has already shown a
great interest in our mission and in
connecting with you, our donors, to
further that mission. In her own words:
“I began my career in development
in 1998 when working for the Soros
Foundation. Over the years, I have held
positions at Baruch College, the Jesuit School of Theology in
Berkeley, CA, City University of New York, and Fordham University.
I am both thrilled and honored to be working for Dominican
Sisters here in Sparkill. Everyone has been very kind to me. I am
truly blessed to be here! I look forward to getting to know each
of you and to creating a robust mission advancement program.”
DOMINICAN CONVENT OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
DOMINICAN CONVENT • 175 ROUTE 340 • SPARKILL, NY 10976 • 845 359-4173 WWW.SPARKILL.ORG
Honoring Sister Margaret Ryan’s
50 Years of Service at Aquinas High School
On Wednesday, May 18th, Aquinas High School pulled out all
the stops for a celebration of Sister Margaret Ryan’s 50 years
at the School. The day began with a presentation of roses to
Sister Margaret by Scarly Ramirez, President of the Student
Council (pictured with Sister Margaret). Msgr. John Graham
celebrated Mass at St. Martin of Tours Church with the students,
faculty and members of our Executive Team. In recognition of the
800th Anniversary of the Order of Preachers, banners depicting
the four pillars of Dominican life were part of the entrance procession. At the offering of gifts, Sister Catherine Rose read a proclamation from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. He declared
the day Sister Margaret Ryan Day and called for “all citizens to join
with the Aquinas High School community and educators throughout this great borough in celebration of 50 years of visionary
leadership by Sister Margaret Ryan, OP, President of Aquinas High
School.” At the reception which followed, Msgr. Graham blessed a
bronze plaque which designates the cloistered walkway between
the school and the convent the Sister Margaret Ryan Way.
The plaque’s inscription reads:
“For fifty years Sister Margaret Ryan walked this path as a way of
VERITAS. We remember, we celebrate, we continue on this path.”
Welcome To
Our New Leadership
The Dominican Sisters, Associates and friends
celebrated the transition to a new leadership
team with great beauty at a Mass in the Chapel
of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on Saturday,
June 25. The five members of the new Executive
Team will serve the congregation for the next
six years.
L-R, Sisters Irene Ellis, Eileen Gannon, Mary Murray (President), Margaret
Palliser, and Grace Anne Hogan.
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DOMINICAN WEAVINGS
SUMMER 2016
Pope Francis Visits with Sisters
In May Sister Mary Murray, President of the Dominican
Sisters of Sparkill, attended an international meeting of
the major superiors from around the world. This meeting
is scheduled every three years and is held in Rome,
Italy. It is a very special time for the major superiors to
share their concerns, hopes and dreams for their
congregations. One of the highlights of these meetings
is the opportunity to have an audience with the Pope.
In May of 2013 Pope
Francis was in office
only a few months, but
graciously agreed to
speak with the sisters.
This year Pope Francis
held an audience again
in the Paul VI auditorium
near the Vatican.
Throughout the audience Pope Francis was
New Postulants
On March 12, 2016, the Sparkill community in
Pakistan gathered in Bahawalpur for the Entrance
Ceremony that welcomed three young women to
the congregation. Shabnum Robia Francis, Sadaf
William, and Robina Komal Nazir (l-r, pictured above,
holding their congregational pins) became postulants,
the first official step in becoming members of the
Sparkill congregation.
They had spent the previous 6 months living with
members of the community in Multan, Pakistan,
where they completed a Religion Teachers Course at
the Pastoral Institute and taught at Dominican Primary
School. The Sisters and Associates here in the United
States join with our community in Pakistan in thanking
God for the generosity of these women as they begin
their journey with us. We are truly blessed!
gracious,
open and
very engaging
in his manner
of addressing
the sisters.
His genuine appreciation for the gifts and talents
that women religious have shown and continue to
use to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ came across
so clearly. Sister Mary mentioned that she was greatly
moved by his presence both in his humility and in
the words he spoke to the sisters gathered there. He
impressed her as very
holy man of God and
how fortunate the
Church is to have
such a pastoral
leader at this time.
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DOMINICAN WEAVINGS
In memory of…
Sister Alma Maria Van Buren 8/8/15
Sister Judith Maender 8/8/15
Sister Margaret Hanratty 8/18/15
Sister Margaret Thomas Morahan 8/18/15
Sister Una McCormack 8/26/15
Sister Adele Myers 11/7/15
Sister Marie Murphy 11/21/15
Sister Anne Barbara Greene 12/4/15
Sister Barbara Lenniger 4/2/16
Sister Alberta Blase 4/3/16
Sister Agnes Cunningham 5/7/16
Sister Cecilia McCarthy 5/19/16
Sister Raymond Louise Zimmerly 6/25/2016
SUMMER 2016
u
o
Y
Thank
Sparkill Girls’ Schools in Pakistan
Support from the Sparkill Dominicans
provided their schools in Pakistan with
computers, classroom furniture and two
new bathrooms. The students come
from more than 500 families living in great
poverty. Yet, because of the partnership
with their donors, the Sisters are able to
ensure that these children continue their
education and gain skills that will prepare
them to help their families.
Electrical power is erratic and unpredictable in Pakistan. Frequent
power outages leave the Sisters preparing lessons and their students
studying in the dark. Furthermore, the intensity of the year-round
heat makes learning almost impossible. Therefore another gift –
enabled by our donors – permitted the Sisters to install solar panels
on the roof of the girls’ hostel and school. These solar panels will
provide not only a vastly improved learning environment; their use
supports the Sisters’ commitment to addressing climate change.
Thea Bowman Center at Siena College, Loudonville, NY
The Sister Thea Bowman Center for Women at Siena College is committed to building a more just, peaceable
and human world. Through donors’ gifts, the Sisters were able to provide more opportunities for the young
women at Siena College with the Hope 7 project where they mentored middle school, at-risk girls in an
impoverished area in Troy, NY. The gift also helped underwrite a performance of the Children’s Gospel Choir
at the Center. The Siena students and their mentees attended the concert. Finally, the gift from the Sparkill Sisters
created a scholarship for one Siena student to go to the Dominican Republic for a service project in Los Tres
Brazos, an impoverished area in Santo Domingo. Participation in this service project not only helps the young
people in the Dominican Republic it has a profound and transformative impact upon the student who is awarded
the service scholarship.
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DOMINICAN WEAVINGS
SUMMER 2016
See How Your Gifts Made a Difference!
East Side Heart & Home Family Center, East St Louis, Illinois
Two gifts were awarded to the East Side Heart and Home Family Center, which serves the families in one of the
poorest cities in the nation. The gifts support an after-school program and summer camp, which provide young
people with the skills they need for success and self-sufficiency. While addressing remediation with the students,
the programs instill creativity, imagination, and both social and cognitive skills. The older youths are taught
mentoring skills and to assume in leadership roles within the community.
St John Chrysostom School, Bronx
A gift to St. John Chrysostom School permitted their principal, Sister Mary Elizabeth Mooney, OP, to equip
two small playgrounds with new playground equipment. Children who attend this school are often kept inside
because they live in unsafe neighborhoods. Furthermore, educating the whole child includes the development
of gross motor skills because the ability to perform gross motor skills, such as climbing, jumping, and running,
is related directly to physical fitness and a child’s confidence. The school now has tricycles, scooters, helmets,
basketballs, soccer balls, stairs, a slide, and sandbox. Sister Mooney’s 150 early childhood students are more
focused in the classroom, gaining self-confidence, and learning good social behavior and peaceful interaction
in their new playground.
Aquinas High School, Bronx
Aquinas High School students are young women from the inner city whose
families are, by and large, without the resources to supply private music
lessons for their children. Yet, it is known that when a child plays a musical
instrument she is developing essential brain functions that not only increase
musical abilities but also social skills and traditional classroom strengths such
as analytical abilities. A gift from the Dominican Sisters to the students of
Aquinas High School gave their principal, Sister Margaret Ryan the resources
to hire a music instructor without whom their performing arts program would
not exist. Thanks to the supporters of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, the
students now have both a marching band and stringed instrument ensemble.
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DOMINICAN WEAVINGS
SUMMER 2016
Lunch Sponsors
Puma Lauria Planning Services, Inc. Staten Island, NY
Carl & Chad Puma
United Healthcare Services, Inc. Staten Island, NY/ Minneapolis, MN
Louis DeStefano & Nick Hellmuth
19th Annual
Golf Tournament
Benefitting
the Dominican
Sisters at Sparkill
On Wednesday, June 1st, the Dominican Sisters’
Annual Golf Tournament opened to a picture
perfect day which was celebrated by many friends
and supporters of the Sisters. More than 135
golfers feasted on a barbecue lunch prepared by
Homestyle Caterers at Emmett’s Castle and then
drove out for a round of golf at Blue Hill Golf
Course in Pearl River. In the evening, more than
175 golfers, guests and Sisters attended a dinner
at Old Tappan Manor. During the evening, Billy
Purvis and Tom McFarland – both longtime
friends and supporters of the Dominican Sisters –
led the crowd in thanking Sister Peggy Scarano,
who launched the Tournament nineteen years ago,
for organizing another wonderful event.
The Sisters are grateful to all their sponsors
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DOMINICAN WEAVINGS
Eagle Sponsor
St. Thomas Aquinas College Sparkill, NY
Dr. Margaret Fitzpatrick, SC and the STAC Community
Birdie Sponsors
All American Contracting Corp. Ridgefield Park, NJ
Robert Jaeger
Flik Lifestyles – a Member of the Compass Group Rye Brook, NY
Andrew LaValle & Rob Ferrucci
Fred Alger Management, Inc. New York, NY
Chelsea Clarette & Peter Latara
Grassi & Co. CPA’s Jericho, NY
David Rottkamp
McManus Electrical Contractors, Inc. Pearl River, NY
Michael McManus
Werner Construction Corp. New City, NY
Rose and Bill Werner
Par Sponsors
Berry Burner of Nyack Nyack, NY
Ed Berry
Brenner, McDonagh & Tortolani Tarrytown, NY
John Tortolani
Kaback Enterprises, Inc. New York, NY
John Murphy
Lincoln Glass & Metal, Waldwick, NJ
Robert Giovannielli
Putting Green Sponsor
J.A.M. Plumbing & Heating, Inc. West Nyack, NY
Joe Mezzasalma
‘Name the 9’ Sponsors
LAKESIDE
GAMCO Asset Management Rye, NY
Christopher C. Desmarais
PINES/WOODLANDS
Friends and Benefactors of Dominican Sisters
Hole-In-One Insurance
The Scarano Family – In Memory of Jim
Tee-Green Sponsors
Pfister Maintenance, Inc. Paterson, NJ
Dieter Pfisterer
B. Foschino & Son, Inc. Norwood, NJ
Tony & Pat Foschino
SUMMER 2016
Moritz Funeral Home Tappan, NY
D&G Electrical Supply, Inc. Garnerville, NY
Bill Grabe
M.D. Sass Investors Services, Inc., New York, NY (2 tees/greens)
Bill McGuire
Higgins Funeral Service New City, NY
Joseph Damonti
Aquinas Painting Suffern, NY (2 tees/greens)
Jim & Liz Dugansic
Fred & Elaine Casey Manchester, NJ
John Manna Nyack, NY
Lincoln Glass & Metal Waldwick, NJ
Robert Giovannielli
In memory of Mary & Ray Hull & Sister Teresa Reeves, OP
The Hull Family
Getler & Gomes P.C. Suffern, NY
Richard Sutton
Sister Sponsors
Frank & Joan Pandolfi Nanuet, NY
Sisters Patricia Ann & Eileen Reilly, OP
Sister Anne Foley, OP
Sister Mary Louise Twomey, OP
Sister Peggy Scarano, OP
Mary Furey New City, NY
Marlene Dass Deerfield Beach, FL
Theresa Gizzi Leominster, MA
Linda Sancho, Delanson, NY
Diane & Gerry Farley
Lincoln Glass & Metal Waldwick, NJ
Robert Giovannielli
Special Thanks To...
Allied Golf – Mike & AJ – & The Staff at Blue Hill Golf Course,
Pearl River, NY
Meghan Hartnett & the Staff from Homestyles Caterers Yonkers, NY
Martin Shanley & the Staff at Old Tappan Manor, Old Tappan, NJ
Werner Construction Corp. New City, NY
Rose & Bill Werner
B Foschino & Son, Inc. Norwood, NJ
Tony & Pat Foschino
In Memory of ‘Buck’ Richter
The Richter and Dillon Families
McManus Electrical Contractors, Inc. Pearl River, NY
Michael McManus
East Side Automotive Sparkill, NY
Joe & Arlene Verrino
Beckerle Lumber Supply Co. Spring Valley, NY
Robert G. Gray, CPA. P.C. Pearl River, NY
Robert G. Gray
Margaret Keane Yonkers, NY
Judy O’Toole The Villages, FL
Richard Feldman Holtsville, NY
Kevin Hughes Pointe Lookout, NY & Monica Riggs Redding, CT
John & Eileen Lawler Nyack, NY
Capitol Risk Management Services, LTD Nanuet, NY
Richard Kohlhausen
Golf Prize Sponsors
Yankee Tickets – John Flaherty, West Nyack, NY
‘An Avid Mets Fan’ (anonymous) - Mets Tickets and Parking @ Citi Field
Carvel Gift Cards – Jim Salerno Wellington, FL
Tote Bags, Bottled Water & Pens - Flik Lifestyles Rye Brook, NY
Baby Basket – Sister Theresa Docherty
Golf Lessons – Tappan Golf Center Tappan, NY Bill Baldes
Golf Lessons – Jon Manos of the Jon Manos Golf Academy Closter, NJ
The Day’s Helpers
Sister Maureen Bradshaw, OP
Sister Marie Peter Buckley, OP
Sister Patricia Cody, OP
Sister Jude Miriam DePalma, OP
Sister Eileen Cunningham, OP
Sister James David McDonough, OP
Development Office Staff
Sister Jeanne Burns, OP
Sister Margaret Strychalski, OP
Katelyn McGovern
Alumnae of Rosary Academy, Sparkill, NY
Maris Donnelly Connington
Yvonne ‘Cookie’ Morales
Go To Friends...
Debbie Logatto
Tom & Kathleen McFarland
Billy Purvis
Most Especially to:
The Sponsors and Golfers – for your continued support
&
The Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
for your prayers and support
and for being ‘WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE’
in the lives of people throughout our world!
God Bless Each of You!
Thanks for a memorable 19 years of Golf Tournaments
Sister Peggy Scarano, OP
Gift Cards
Del’Arte Italian Ristorante - Rosemarie & John Carolla Orangeburg, NY
Louie’s on The Avenue - Steve Panteleakis Pearl River, NY
Luigi O’Grady’s – Michele & Kay Pearl River, NY
La Fontanella Ristorante Italiano Sal & Cathy Stillo Tappan, NY
Joe & Joe Restaurant Pearl River, NY
The Saloon Pearl River, NY
Donations Toward Tournament Prizes and Items
for Raffle Baskets
New Hope Manor Inc. Barryville, NY
Linda Borstelmann
Olga & Tom McGowan Hauppauge, NY
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DOMINICAN WEAVINGS
SUMMER 2016
LOOKING AHEAD....
TRIVIA NIGHT
St. Louis
DESIGN CONCEPT: Elizabeth Slenker, OP
Friends of Dominican Sisters
Saturday, October 1, 7:00 pm
CBC High School, St. Louis
Tables of 8 / $240 Per Table
Different Category Each Round
Bring Your Own Snacks
Beer, Soda & Bottled Water Provided
2016 Awards Din er
Sign up before August 1st and your table
will be in the drawing for $100.00 Cash Prize!.
www.friendsofdominicansisters.org
Ways in Which You Can
Support Our Work
Through your gifts – whether large or small – you
ensure the inspired service of the Dominican Sisters
of the Convent of Our Lady of the Rosary to their
ministries. There are a number of ways for you to
support the work of the Sisters:
• Make your gift online at sparkill.org (www.sparkill.org/
make a donation)
• Call us with your credit card or mail us a check
• Create a gift from a foundation
• Include the Sisters in your estate plans, or
• Purchase a charitable gift annuity which will benefit
you now and help the Sisters in the future.
For more information, please contact, Karen Ellis at
karen.ellis@sparkill.org or 845.359.4173.
Dominican Convent of Our Lady of the Rosary
Office of Mission Advancement
175 Route 340
Sparkill, NY 10976
2016 Awards Dinner
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Honoring
John Tortolani
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Learn More About The Dominican
Sisters of Sparkill by visiting our
website: www.sparkill.org
Founding Parner, Brenner, McDonaugh & Tortolani, Inc.
Domenico Seminelli
Chief, Sparkill Fire Department
Sister Margaret Theresa Oettinger, OP
Director of Spiritual Care, Hospital for Special Surgery
Invitation and Sponsorship Opportunities
will follow in early September.
For advanced information, contact Karen Ellis at
karen.ellis@sparkill.org or 845.359.4173.
Annual November Calendar Raffle
75 Chances
to Win $8000
• Click the link Who We Are & Our Mission
• Click the link into The Center Shop located at
Dominican Convent for sale items that range
from books, cards, candles, CD’s + more.
Call: 845-359-4070.
• To learn more about the Dominican Order,
visit www.DominicanLifeUSA.com
To Make a Donation, go to Development’s Home Page on our website
and Click: Make a Donation which
will take you to the secure page.
Thank You!
Calendars will be distributed
in September
Proceeds benefit various ministry projects
of the Dominican Sisters
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DOMINICAN WEAVINGS
SUMMER 2016