VERITAS Fall 2014 Issue

VERITAS DOMINICAN SISTERS OF SAINT CECILIA CONGREGATION

Autumn 2014

Winter 2015 nashvilledominican.org

From the Desk of Mother

Ann Marie Karlovic, O.P., Prioress General

Dear Friends, In writing of the Church’s mission to live and preach the Gospel message, Pope Francis sees this mission as “a delightful and comforting joy.”1 Our world is searching, he says, “sometimes with anguish, sometimes with hope” to receive good news. And he reminds us that, “Goodness always tends to spread….As it expands, goodness takes root and develops. If we wish to lead a dignified and fulfilling life, we have to reach out to others and seek their good….”2 This reaching out to others, seeking to bring them to the great good of knowing Jesus Christ, is really at the heart of our Dominican apostolate. In this issue of Veritas we wanted to show you some of the ways we are privileged to participate in the delightful and comforting joy of making known the good news of God’s truth and love. Whether in the elementary, high school or college classroom; at faith rallies, youth retreats or summer religious education events; or by sharing with parents ways to enliven the practice of the faith within their families - God allows the Gospel to take root, and the knowledge of his truth to develop, grow and deepen. It never fails that, as the sisters give

1 cf. The Joy of the Gospel, n.10 2 Ibid. n. 9.

themselves in the apostolate, they themselves grow from the witness they receive from so many lay faithful whom they encounter on each of our missions.

This fall we especially thank God for allowing the community to establish new houses in Bracciano, Italy and in the Netherlands. We have also had the privilege of accepting the invitation of Bishop Terry Steib of Memphis to send two sisters to join the faculty at St. Benedict’s High School. In addition we are blessed this year to have a sister serving on the Campus Ministry staff at Providence College in Rhode Island, as assistant to the chaplain.

This past summer we again witnessed within the community the fruits of God’s call and his fidelity. The celebrations of the Golden and Silver Jubilees; first and final profession of vows, reception of the habit and entrance of new postulants - all of these were occasions of “a delightful and comforting joy.”

God gives new life and nurtures the growth of his Word within us, so that we might become spiritual mothers, spending ourselves for the sake of the Gospel.

Each of us is called by God to “reach out to others and seek their good.” At a time when our world is experiencing so much anguish in its search for the peace that only God can give, let us ask

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

Motherhood in the Apostolate of Teaching

Him to make us instruments of hope.

Wherever He places us each day, let us allow Him to be at work in us to bring the peace of Christ and the joy of the Gospel.

God bless you,

Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation 801 Dominican Drive, Nashville, TN 37228 Phone: (615) 251-0053 Fax: (615) 259-0176 Mother Ann Marie, O.P., Prioress General General Council: Sister Mary Angela, O.P. Sister Mary Sarah, O.P. Sister Ann Hyacinth, O.P. Sister Anne Catherine, O.P. Advancement Office: Sister Mary Angela, O.P., Director of Advancement e-mail: diradvance@op-tn.org Paige Matthews, CFRE, Development Director e-mail: pmatthews@op-tn.org Phone: (615)251-0053 Vocations Office: Sister Peter Marie, O.P., Vocations Director e-mail: vocation@op-tn.org Phone: (615) 256-0147

Mother Ann Marie (sixth from left) with members of the Planned Giving Advisory Committee at the Fall 2014 meeting.

Nurturing Life in the Classroom

Contributing Photographers: Sister Mary Justin, O.P. Sister Mary Davyd, O.P. Sister Henry Suso, O.P. Maritza Davila Mary Dillard Kelly Kostelnik Paige Matthews Lisa Julia Hill-Sutton

fact, married—married to the only One her students are called to have who can fully satisfy the deepest longwith their heavenly Father that ings of the human heart. And for what is the basis for a consecrated does the human heart long? It longs for woman’s spiritual motherhood. truth, goodness, and beauty— it longs for As a participation in Christ’s Christ. The more she seeks to make her own filial relationship with his activity in the classroom a nurturing act, Father, spiritual childhood is an a maternal act which fosters the Christlife authentic characteristic of the being of every baptized person, a in her students, the more life-giving her teaching will be. Because her consecrated supernatural effect life is itself nurtured in her loving comof our baptism.

Pope John Sister Marie Noelle explores the wonder of life with a munion with Christ, He is the life she

Paul II spoke of our baptismal student at St. Patrick School in McEwen, TN shares with, and indeed makes present to, day as the most important day of our her students. Her one-ness with Christ life. This is because it is the day we were “Are you married?” a little boy once cannot but affect her teaching, so that it claimed for Christ and engrafted onto asked the religious sister who was to be is no longer she who interacts with the his mystical body, the Church. It is the his teacher that year. When she said she children entrusted to her, but He who Church who is mother, whose maternal wasn’t, he responded, “Good, ‘cause then heart is inseparable from that of Mary, she is present to them in her. The more she you belong to us.” As young as this child allows her relationship with Him to grow may have been in age, he was wise beyond who is our mother precisely because she and flourish, the more her innate capacity is Christ’s mother.

Thus spiritual motherhis years in the intuition that he had a hood is a participation in the motherhood to give life, her feminine genius, will be special claim on his teacher’s heart. What brought to fulfillment. of the Church, of which Our Lady is the is the basis for this claim? Is it simply Because a religious sister’s maternal exemplar. because she’s not married or does it go heart is not “claimed” by any little ones of Yet this innate capacity to nurture life deeper than that? her own, it may be claimed by any and all that is so integral to a woman’s feminine As the newly canonized Pope Saint genius must itself be nurtured at the foun- of God’s little ones. She belongs to them John Paul II noted, women have the because she belongs first to Christ as his tain of infinite love. Without constant capacity to create a space for another, not bride. replenishment by the graces flowing from only physiologically, but psychologically the sacraas well. For a teaching sister, this life-givments and ing capacity finds concrete expression in Sister Grace Dominic prepares for each all that goes into setting up a classroom at prayer, the of her second grade students at St. Croix consecrated Catholic School, Stillwater, MN the beginning of the school year. Everywoman risks thing from decorating bulletin boards to offering labeling nametags communicates to the nothing children that they have been thought of, more to her anticipated; in other words, have had a students space prepared just for them. Even more than herself. so in her whole manner of relating to her By virtue of students, the consecrated woman creates her religious an intangible yet deeply felt space where consecraher students feel accepted and affirmed.

To be life-giving, such affirmation extends tion, however, she is beyond her students’ academic achievenot alone in ments to affirming who they are as sons the teaching and daughters of a Father who has loved apostolate. them into existence.

She is, in Indeed, it is this filial relationship that nashvilledominican.org

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NeW EVANGELIZATION

New opportunities to serve

Using new methods in the New Evangelization When addressing the Latin American bishops in 1983, Saint John Paul II said that the new evangelization would be “new in its ardor, methods, and expression.” While honoring the Dominican ideal of imparting the truths of the faith in a way that is systematic and complete, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia are also seeking to answer this call to the New Evangelization by utilizing new methods of catechesis whenever appropriate. Two such methods, intended for students at two different age levels, are the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and the Socratic Seminar.

One always desires to know more about one whom he loves. Therefore, the Church calls for a catechesis that aims first and foremost at building a relationship between the Person of Christ and the individual being catechized. The General Directory for Catechesis states, “Truly, to help a person to encounter God, which is the task of the catechist, means to emphasize above all the relationship that the person has with God so that he can make it his own and allow himself to be guided by God” (139). The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a method of catechesis that begins with the encounter with Christ in Sacred Scripture and the sacraments, an encounter which establishes a relationship between Christ and the child, a foundation upon which a knowledge of Him can be built.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was developed by Sophia Cavalletti, a twentieth-century Italian Biblical scholar, and based on the principles of human development observed by Dr. Maria Montessori. Since the primary goal of the Montessori Method is the communication of reality – truth – to the child with clarity and precision, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a method very much in keeping with our Dominican charism.

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“Religion,” said Maria Montessori, “is the greatest reality…the fount, the support of the human person’s life” (San Diego Lectures, 1915) Because the goal of this method is to communicate the greatest Reality, God Himself, it is deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture and the liturgy. It is primarily in Scripture and in the sacraments that God has chosen to communicate Himself to humanity. Through this method, children are given the time and means to reflect on Sacred Scripture and the rites of the Church in a way that is age-appropriate. Sister Marie Celine, who uses the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd with her second grade class reflects, “I am always surprised by the nuggets of truth that the children share from their pondering of His Word.”

While the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a method developed for the pre-school and elementary levels, the Socratic Seminar is a method appropriate for high school and college. Those familiar with the history of Philosophy know that the Greek philosopher Socrates prized contemplation and the search for truth.

As a teacher, he led his students through a process of reasoning and discussion to knowledge of what is, in reality, true and good.

The use of careful reasoning and logic in teaching the faith is certainly not new to Dominicans; but, along with many other teachers and catechists, our sisters are finding the methodology used by Socrates 2,000 years ago to be especially effective with young people today. Through this method, students who already possess a strong foundation

(above) Sister Amelia teaches a class at St. Cecilia Academy in Nashville, TN using the Socratic method. (right) Sister Susanna readies her materials to teach Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

in the Catholic faith are encouraged to delve more deeply into the mysteries of God. They are challenged to read primary source material on a topic, formulate their own responses to the reading, and engage in a sustained discussion with peers in the classroom. Through this work, students gain confidence in their ability to explain and witness to their faith in the midst of their peers.

Sister Margaret Mary, who uses the Socratic Seminar method in her high school religion classes, notices that “students who are strong in their faith have an opportunity to share their own knowledge and experience of living the faith,” and “their witness is more powerful than any lecture that I could give.” She has witnessed classes work through hard topics, proving that they are able to stand up for their beliefs, give reasons for what they believe, and even give witness to each other and to their own teachers.

When Saint Dominic founded his Order 800 years ago, he knew that good catechesis must involve both the mind and the heart of the person being catechized. As is evidenced by the enthusiasm with which young children respond to their work in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and older students respond to Socratic Seminar discussions, these two methods are doing just that for children and young people in our classrooms today.

The beginning of the 2014 academic year opened up new opportunities for the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia to serve the Church. Each is unique and holds its particular graces, both for the sisters themselves and for those whose lives the Lord wishes to touch through them. Each is a gift to the community as the sisters are privileged to give of themselves in the task of the New Evangelization.

In the Diocese of Memphis, this past August found two sisters joining the faculty at St. Benedict High School at Auburndale. The school was established in 1988 as a diocesan secondary school, and for several years Dominican sisters from St. Cecilia served both on its administrative staff and on the faculty. At the invitation of Bishop J. Terry Steib of Memphis, this fall finds two sisters returning to the school, excited to become part of the school community once again. Sister Rita Marie and Sister Marie Monique, who teach in the History, English and Theology Departments at St. Benedict’s, have both commented on the warm welcome they have received from students, faculty and staff.

The Campus Ministry Office at Providence College in Rhode Island is a second area of apostolate where the congregation is blessed to begin serving this year. Providence College, run by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph, has

long been familiar to the community as one of the academic institutions where many of the sisters pursue advanced studies in Theology. These student sisters have appreciated the opportunities their presence on the Campus has given them to interact with the students on a variety of levels. This fall Sister Anne Frances has begun to serve at Providence full time on the Campus Ministry staff as Assistant to the Chaplain. In this capacity, Sister will be able to contribute to the

they continue to study the language and culture of the area, the sisters are meeting the people and families whom they will be serving, and are quickly coming to love the people and learn from them. The sisters have also written of the warmth of the welcome they have received, and especially of the kindness extended to them by the other religious whom they have met. The very first “official” event welcoming them to Sittard in late August was the Mass and procession in honor of the Dominican St. Rose of Lima, patroness of the city (and patroness of the sisters’ convent).

In each of these new missions, it seems, St. Dominic has had a hand in arranging details. The community asks his continued blessing and guidance on each of these new apostolic endeavors, seemingly very different from one another but all with the same purpose at heart. In each place the sisters find rich opportunities to draw those whom God entrusts to their care closer to the knowledge and love of Christ. (top, left) Sister Marie Monique and Sister Rita Marie welcome two sophomore students at St. Benedict's at Auburndale, Cordova, TN (center) Sister Anne Frances with students at Providence College, Providence, RI

College’s faith formation programs, prayer initiatives, and particularly in ministry to the young women who are students on campus.

This past August also saw the congregation establishing a house in The Netherlands. After two years of initial study of the Dutch language and with the kind assistance of both the bishop and the local pastor, as well as many religious and dedicated Catholic laity in the city of Sittard, Sister Mary Amata, Sister Theresa Anne and Sister Maris Bishop de Jong blesses the chapel of the sisters' Stella arrived in Sittard convent in Sittard. in mid-August. Even as

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F a i t h . r e s p e c t. f a m i l y.

Apo s t o lat e o f t each in g ' s i mp act acr o ss g e n e rat i o n s

by Sister Elizabeth Anne, O.P. Two summers ago we received a telephone call at the Motherhouse—the kind of call that everyone dreads. There had been an accident and two students of St. Cecilia Academy in Nashville, Tennessee were in serious condition. Colleen and Emily were cousins; one a recent graduate and the other a junior. I joined a group of sisters going to the hospital.

While sitting there, it occurred to me that there were two distinct categories of sisters praying in that waiting area: those who had taught Emily and Colleen, and those who had taught their mothers who had also gone to St. Cecilia Academy.

When we got home from the hospital, one of the older sisters stopped me and asked, “How are Alice’s grandbabies?” She had taught their grandmother.

This incident illustrates how deep the relationships begun in Catholic schools can go and how long-lasting they can be.

Throughout the 154-year history of St.

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Cecilia Congregation, generations of sisters have taught generations of students and, in some cases, multiple generations of the same family. This article considers three families who, not only have multigenerational ties to the sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation, but also have family members in our schools currently. Their stories give a unique perspective on the nature and impact of Catholic education, particularly in regard to what may change and what remains unchanged in the course of time.

Adriana and Nicholas Johnson are the third generation of their family to attend St. St. Mary Star of the Sea Alumna and great-grand Rose Academy in Birmingham, parent, Cecil Turner, Sister Mary John, Principal Alabama. They follow in the footsteps of their mother, Natalie and Nathan Turner, kindergarten student Zaden Johnson and their grandfather, involved in going to school in a building Nick Zaden, both of whom happened to that had not been designed to be a school. have memories of the old kitchen at Saint She observes that all those “imperfections” Rose! turned out to be blessings! “We learned to Nick’s kitchen story involves his getsee the beauty in little things. We might ting caught hiding in the pantry eating an not have had a big church, but we had extra hamburger which had been smugour little chapel. We might not have had gled to him by Flora, who was the cook at a large staff, but our parents were very St. Rose for many years. He was lucky. It involved…Those kinds of things helped wasn’t the first time he had eaten an extra me to appreciate the family aspects of St. burger in that pantry. “I was a big boy Rose.” with a big appetite and Flora was good to Natalie’s father agrees that the family me,” laughs Nick. spirit is one of the things that made his Natalie experience at St. Rose so special. “The remembers her bond that developed among families was mother cooking so strong that it still exists today.” He for the school’s explains, “One life lesson I learned at Pasta Night St. Rose is that you treat everyone with in that same respect and kindness; we learned that we kitchen. “There are all in this together.” she was -- cookThe word “respect” also occurred many ing for a crowd times in a conversation with Cecil Wallace in a kitchen that Turner, who along with two subsequent was meant for a generations of her family, attended St. home, not for a Mary Star of the Sea School in Hampton, school.” NataVirginia. “Looking back now, I appreciate lie recalls many the values I learned, especially respect for “little others and their rights. We were taught to imperfections” give everyone the same respect. My greatgrandson Nathan is being taught the same (left) St. Rose Academy alumna and parent, Natalie Zaden Johnson (seated), with her husband, Dr. Michael Johnson (standing) and her children Adriana (first grade) and Nicholas Zaden Johnson (fifth grade) and their grandparents Marilyn and Nick Zaden, St. Rose '70

c o n s ta n c y. j o y. thing.”

Cecil credits her mother and her aunt for instilling in her the value of Catholic education. “My mother sacrificed to send us to Catholic school. Even during the depression, she bought food first and the next thing she did was to pay tuition!”

Cecil appreciates the advances in technology and curriculum at St. Mary and has a special fondness for the outdoor classroom and the opportunities that the students have in the marine science program. “Marine science is so important! It teaches the children respect for God’s creation and the bay, and that they will have to leave it for others as their legacy someday. Everything good that you get, you should pass on!”

Cecil’s great-grandson, Nathan shares her enthusiasm about the bay. The second grader responded with certitude when he was asked what was special about the school. “It is special to have a school that’s right on the water!” He thought a moment and then offered, “When I grow up, I am going to be a builder and I am going to make the pier here much longer so it goes out further in the water. All along the way, there will be gates where students can get into the water to study the fish and the life there!” It seems that he shares his great-grandmother’s sense of legacy as well.

When Caroline Higgins entered St. Cecilia Academy (SCA) as a freshman this past August, she was the fifth generation of St. Cecilia girls in her family. Even after just weeks at SCA, Caroline already “love(s) being part of a tradition that I will get to pass along some day!”

Caroline, as her aunt Katherine Higgins DeLay did, attends St. Cecilia Academy in its current location on The Dominican Campus. Katherine’s mother, Geddy Crawford Higgins, attended when the academy was located at St. Cecilia Motherhouse. “I went to the ‘REAL’ St. Cecilia Academy,” she exclaims with more than a hint of pride. “My grandmother, my mother and I all received our high school diplomas in the Motherhouse chapel. Other than the house I lived in, it was ‘home.’ ” Katherine, experienced much the same sense of “home” while attending Overbrook School (also on The Dominican Campus in Nashville) and St. Cecilia, but

admits that after 13 years of wearing uniforms, she had to do lots of wardrobe shopping for college and that she had to get used to deciding what to wear each day. “But I came away from St. Cecilia with a real sense of who I was, of what made me who I am and of what I was going to do with that! I also had a strong sense of faith.” At this statement, her mother remarked, “We all learned that there: from the school, from the sisters, from the community!”

Faith is one of the key words emerging from all of these students and former students, no matter which generation they represent or which school they love. Faith.

Respect. Constancy. Family. Joy. Strong words.

Nick Zaden credits his long-lasting relationship with St. Rose to the sisters and to the faith he developed St. Cecilia Academy freshman Caroline Higgins there, “…a strong faith that brings with her aunt, Katherine Higgins DeLay, SCA '80, you back to your roots…Being at St. and her grandmother, Geraldine 'Gedy'Crawford Higgins, SCA '56 Rose taught me that. It’s like gravity that pulls you back to the right path. saw the sisters make their final vows. Now You want your own children and grandI understand what that means, where their children and nieces and nephews to have joy comes from.” that kind of faith at an early age to serve There is, for consecrated persons, a vital them their whole lives.” relationship between the vows they take Both Katherine Higgins DeLay and and their service in the apostolate. Saint her mother find that the mission of St. John Paul II calls the efforts made by conCecilia Academy has stayed the same secrated persons in service to the Church through all of those five generations and “a sign that it is the love of Christ which have faith it will continue to do so. As urges them on” (Vita Consecrata, § 71).

Katherine states, “The whole world is The Constitutions of the Dominican Sischanging, but Catholic education and ters of St. Cecilia Congregation put it this doctrine don’t change. True values don’t way: “Our work of Christian education change.” Natalie Zaden Johnson makes a gives life and direction to the consecration similar comment about St. Rose. While we make.” The same document also reshe is excited about the new facilities minds us that by our consecrated life, we and programs that Adriana and Nicholas are to “teach the way to holiness and joy.” enjoy, she is quick to add, “The wonderful The new evangelization can bring the joy things are still there. St. Rose is growing, of the Gospel, the joy of believing in and but from the strong roots that are there. belonging to Christ to the world; and that It’s still a family. It is part of your family.” joy can be transmitted from generation to Cecil Turner attributes the “congeneration, even into eternity. stancy” that she finds at St. Mary Star of By the way, both Colleen and Emily, the Sea to the sisters and their joy. “They the girls who were in the accident, are are always so happy and at peace.” She doing well. Colleen has graduated from continues, “I always heard that the sisters, college and Emily is studying to become a when they make their vows, were movnurse. We knew you would want to know ing toward something, not just giving how that part of our St. Cecilia family was something up. A couple of years ago, I doing! nashvilledominican.org

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Ignite Your Torch, WA

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during Vacation Bible School in Greenville, AL

2014 Summer

The sisters encourage all to be the saints God is calling them to be at VBS in Sullivan's Island, SC

a p o s t o l at e F ro m S u ll i va n's I s la n d, S ou th Ca ro l in a to An cho rag e, A lask a

Teaching the names of the sacred vessels used at Mass with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

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Sister Veronica Marie sings a song for a group of young people in "The Lounge" at Rock Your Faith in Jasper, IN Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

In the large gathering room, the sisters give a talk to teens about the motto of the Dominican Order: Truth.

Ignite Your Torch , WA

St. Rose Classical Camp Birmingham, AL Vacation Bible School Greenville, AL Alaska Catholic Youth Conference Anchorage, AK Vacation Bible School Chino Valley, AZ Camp Wojtyla Colorado FOCUS Training Ave Maria, FL Life Teen Camp Tiger, GA Vacation Bible School Dahlonega, GA Vocation Camp Savannah, GA Totus Tuus Training Rockford, IL

Vacation Bible School Evansville, IN Vacation Bible School Haubstadt, IN Rock Your Faith Jasper, IN Ignite Your Torch St. Catherine, KY Steubenville Youth Conference Alexandria, LA Fiat Days Baltimore, MD Youth Ministers Retreat Buckeystown, MD Vacation Bible School Alpena, MI Christ Power Cottleville, MO Girls’ Fiat Camp Syracuse, NY

Vacation Bible Camp Sullivan’s Island, SC Ecclesia Institute Badlands, SD Totus Tuus Training Rapid City, SD Vacation Bible School Memphis, TN Camp Joy Nashville, TN St. Mary Camp Oak Ridge, TN Fiat Days Arlington, VA Vacation Bible School South Riding, VA Ignite Your Torch Northwest Lacey, WA Leadership Camp Diocese of London, Ontario

S ee k in g t o b e Ch r i s t 's in s t r u m e n ts i n the Wo r ld nashvilledominican.org

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T

“ ‘Tis the Season to be Merry” “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,” but Christians know him as Saint Nicholas. There is no need ever to tell your child that there is a happy rolypoly, fat cheeked man who travels in a sled driven by reindeer. You can, instead, tell them about Saint Nicholas, third century Bishop of Myra, the first kindly benefactor of children.

His gifts, however, were not found under a decorated evergreen tree nor brought in a magical way via a narrow descent down a chimney. This is where imagination and truth go in different directions.

There is a growing interest in reclaiming the original saint of “gift-giving,” in order to help restore a spiritual dimension to this festive time of the Church year. St. Nicholas, lover of the poor and patron saint of children, is a model of how Christians are meant to live all year long. As a bishop, Nicholas put Jesus at the center of his life and his work. Telling your children about Santa Claus in the light of our Christian traditions helps restore balance to increasingly materialistic and stress-filled Advent and Christmas seasons. Rather than encouraging consumerism, the Church’s celebration of Saint Nicholas can encourage self-giving, kindness and compassion.

A simple Saint Nicholas Day celebration adds a bit of welcome festivity in the early days of Advent.

It provides an opportunity to tell the story of Saint Nicholas, a man of faith whose goodness and acts of generosity were done in secret to those in need.

Encourage your children to do a kindly “Nicholas deed” for someone else. Suggest to your children to do thoughtful things all during Advent without “getting caught,” or bragging

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is the Season to be erry

Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

about what they are doing. Perhaps you can leave some delicious bakery goods on your neighbor’s porch (first making sure their dog is tied up, of course!).

Perhaps the children can earn and save “nickels for Nicholas” to give to a collection or offering for the poor. Then on the evening of December 5th, the eve of the feast day, gather as a family and read again a carefully chosen story of the life of Saint Nicholas. End the day with a short prayer service, praying especially for those who are poor or in trouble and send the children to put beside their beds their best shoes in hopes that “Saint Nicholas soon would be there.” I know that Saint Nicholas loves to share his feast day by filling shoes with small and simple gifts like holy cards, Christmas socks, goldenwrapped chocolate coins and candy canes (reminder of his own bishop’s staff); but wouldn’t it be fun to find a small figurine of Mary and Joseph in your shoe? (You must wait until Christmas, though, to give them the best gift of all, Jesus!)

Saint Lucy, a popular saint of the fourth century is also celebrated during Advent and is commemorated on December 13th. She, too, comes with a beautiful

story that you will want to read or tell to your children. Lucy was born in Syracuse, Sicily and is one of the Roman virgin martyrs. Her feast is associated with the celebration of light and winter. (Her name means “light” and her feast day originally coincided with the winter solstice, which marks the end of the long dark winter nights and the beginning of a longer day.) It is believed that Saint Lucy, in the middle of the night, would secretly bring food to the Roman Christians who were being persecuted. In order to carry the food each night, she would wear a crown of candles on her head to light the way. Traditionally in Sweden, a daughter in each family dresses in a

white dress (purity) with a red sash (martyrdom), and wears on her head an evergreen wreath with lighted candles. She brings hot coffee and buns (Lucia buns) to wake her family. This tradition still continues. If you want to join in this “bed and breakfast” celebration in your family on the feast of Saint Lucy, you may want to use a wreath with electric candles, and if you don’t have culinary skills you could easily substitute any type of breakfast pastry for the traditional Lucy buns. If you are interested (or brave) you can find a recipe on the internet. It would be a wonderful way to celebrate together. Perhaps on the feast day you can share the Lucy treats with your neighbors (or even your child’s teacher!).

Another legend tells us that a famine ended on the Feast of Saint Lucy when ships, loaded with grain, sailed into the harbor. The tradition of planting wheat on Saint Lucy’s Day comes from Hungary, Croatia, and

other European nations. It is easy to plant wheat grains in a dish of soil, and water the seeds regularly to keep the seeds moist (but not sopping wet).

Soon the seeds will begin to grow and by Christmas the shoots will be several inches high. Place the plate of sprouted wheat near your nativity set where it will remind all that Christ, the “Bread of Life,” was born in Bethlehem, whose name means “House of Bread.” Adding small bundles of straw to your Christmas tree decorations can make a lovely addition and a meaningful reminder of the real significance of Christmas.

Just think how many relatives and friends will ask you about the wheat bundles on your tree and you, or better, your children, can tell them the story of Saint Lucy and the “Bread of Life.”

The whole season of Advent can be a beautiful journey for those who live the season spiritually and in the shadow of the holiness of the saints.

Each day we prepare ourselves and those we love to draw ever closer to the mystery we celebrate on Christmas.

It’s all about Jesus.

I Believe was recorded at St. Cecilia Motherhouse

of the Dominican Sisters, Nashville, Tennessee.

It is available to you as a free download at: https://soundcloud.com/nashville-dominicans/sets/i-believe

www.stnicholas center.org nashvilledominican.org

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A Feast

“A pledge of future glory is given us.”

These words from the Corpus Christi hymn of St. Thomas Aquinas remind us that the Eucharist, as the Source and Summit of our faith, points us to heaven.

The purpose of Catholic education is not only to prepare students for their role in this world but also for eternal life. Catholic schools, therefore, continually seek to form students in knowledge of Christ’s teaching, celebration of the sacraments, and the living of their faith within the family and in the community of the Church.

Faith Rallies, which many of our schools

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

of Faith

have made an annual event, combine all of these elements in an atmosphere of reverential joy that can stir up supernatural calling and destiny – the vocation they received at Baptism.

In May 2013, St. Jude Catholic School in Joliet, Illinois, St. Jude Catholic School in Joliet, Illinois held its first Faith Rally in May of 2013, and has had similar events several times since. Principal Sister Cecilia Joseph describes the Faith Rally as “a powerful experience of grace and faith for our school and parish community. Such a day at St. Jude begins with Mass and a Eucharistic procession from the church to the school church to the school, followed by a day filled with Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, praise and worship, catechesis, and small and large group activities. “Each year we watch God’s grace overflow as long lines form for Confession. We have seen time and again that the students are extraordinarily attentive and prayerful during their time in adoration and listening to the catechesis talks,” said Sister Cecilia Joseph.

In addition to what has become an annual event in May, the school has held half day faith rallies to celebrate the Closing of the Year of Faith in November 2013 and to celebrate the school’s 60th anniversary in September 2014. “As a faith community, we have found no better way to thank the Lord for His goodness than to give back to

Him in prayer and praise, especially as we mark large milestones in the Church year and school year.”

Younger students are paired with older students in “faith families,” the older students serving as examples for the younger. These students take their mentoring role very seriously during this day, helping others learn from their activities and preparing them to encounter Christ in prayer.

Ben Hulbert, 2014 graduate of St. Jude, remarked on this family dimension of the day, “The Faith Rallies at St Jude …give the students, parents, and teachers involved a chance to let their faith grow.” He further described the impact these Rallies made on his faith life. “They are the culmination of all the graces and blessings received throughout the year… They have given me a deeper understanding of the love of Christ, and have given me a deeper love for Our Lady, Mother of Faith,” he said.

The May 2014 Faith Rally at St. Jude included seminarians from the Diocese of Joliet and Sisters in formation with the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia. Their presence and witness made a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life seem more like a real option for the students as they pray about God’s will for their lives.

The January 2014 Faith Rally at St. Henry Catholic School in Nashville, Tennessee, also placed an emphasis

on vocations. Principal Sister Ann Hyacinth arranged for the use of the monstrance blessed by Saint John Paul II in 2004 for promoting vocations, and also made it available during the school Faith Rally and made it available for other events around the Diocese of Nashville.

The catechesis central to the schedule of the Faith Rally was also a key component of preparations for the day at St. Henry's. The week before the event, Sister Ann Hyacinth took the monstrance to each class to explain to students the meaning and purpose of Eucharistic Adoration.

The school also printed holy cards of Saint John Paul II with prayers for vocations on the back.

St. Mary Catholic School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, centered its 2014 Faith Rally on the scripture verse, “Act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). In

addition to the catechesis on the virtues, the sacraments, and the saints offered to the students throughout the day, Sister John Catherine and Sister Mary Rebekah offered catechesis sessions for the parents, many of whom were volunteers for other parts of the day’s activities. During these sessions, the Sisters offered spiritual and doctrinal nourishment for the parents, who have been given by God the primary role of forming their children in the faith.

Together with the help of parents and the whole parish community, such Christ-centered events of prayer and preaching redirect our hearts toward the supernatural realities that we touch in the truths that we profess and in the sacraments we celebrate.

"Friday afternoon when I picked Peter up from Pre-K, we had our usual hello and how was school, etc. A few minutes later, he said, 'Momma, someone brought something REALLY beautiful to our classroom today.'… With more awe than I think he's shown for anything, he said, 'It was really, really beautiful. Sister Ann Hyacinth brought it to our classroom and showed it to us. …It was so beautiful and it was gold and it looks like the sun and had a real, live crystal in the middle.' … When I asked what the 'really beautiful thing' was, he knew it was a Monstrance and he knew that Sister talked about the 'man who was in heaven (John Paul II).' I was pleasantly surprised that he shared all of this... On this particular day, the Pre-K had painted an auction project, made a gift for their teachers, watched a play of Aesop's fables in the Fellowship Hall, and acted out a story that they read. What Peter remembered and wanted to share was the visit from Sister Ann Hyacinth and the monstrance! We are blessed and grateful that we are part of this great Catholic school where the most important lessons are those that help us with our #1 job...getting our children to heaven!" ~ St. Henry School parent, Nashville, Tennessee

Sister Ann Hyacinth explains the monstrance and Eucharistic Adoration to students at St. Henry Catholic School, Nashville, TN. 13 (above) Sister Anne Elise helps students with a Eucharistic craft activity, St. Mary Catholicnashvilledominican.org School, Oak Ridge, TN.

Villaggio Betania

Bracciano, italy Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia

Villaggio Betania, Bracciano, Italy COMMEMORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Writing of the joy that comes with knowing and living the Gospel, Pope Francis recently referred to the Church as a Mother with an open heart. As spiritual mothers who seek to nurture the life of Christ in those whom He places in their care, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia desire to be open to opportunities given them to introduce others to the joy of Jesus’ life and teaching. One such opportunity has presented itself very close to the heart of the Church itself.

The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia recently purchased a 4 1/2 acre campus of five buildings about 20 miles northwest of Rome, previously owned by the Dominican Sisters of Bethany in the Netherlands. The property named, Villaggio Betania is located in the town of Bracciano, Italy.

For some time, said Mother Ann Marie, the congregation has sent sisters for studies in Rome, with additional sisters now also engaged in teaching or serving the Church in other capacities. With this growth in the number of sisters living in Rome the need for appropriate housing has increased."

"Our association with the Dominican Sisters of Bethany, who had found it necessary to sell their property in Bracciano, opened to us the opportunity to acquire a religious house just outside of Rome," Mother Ann Marie continued.

Since the early 1960’s, the Dominican Sisters of Bethany had owned and operated the Villaggio Betania, an orphanage in the town of Bracciano, Italy. With the closing of the orphanage in the year 2000, the Sisters of Bethany continued in residence, but the community found it necessary to consider sale of the Villaggio, nonetheless hoping that it might remain a house for Dominican

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

religious.

After much deliberation, in March of 2014 the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia finalized the decision to purchase Villaggio Betania. The ideal location, size of the property and design of the buildings will make possible a threefold purpose: 1) To provide a religious house for the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, who work and study in Rome; 2) To provide the facilities for a study abroad program for Aquinas College owned by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia; and 3) To support other New Evangelization opportunities sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, including, but not limited to, pilgrimages and retreats.

The buildings, constructed in 1961 on the model of family residences for the children, are well-built and structurally sound.

Bracciano itself is a small town in the Italian region of Lazio. The town is known for its volcanic lake and a well-preserved medieval castle. The lake is widely used for sailing and is popular with tourists. The town is served by an urban railway which connects it with Rome in about an hour. Lake Bracciano is a 10 minute walk from the property and the town of Bracciano is about 20 minutes by foot.

"The facilities at the Villaggio are large enough to support apostolic activities centered in the very life of the Church," said Mother Ann Marie. "The setting is both beautiful and simple, conducive to quiet reflection and yet near enough to Rome to allow access to its religious, historical and cultural riches."

"Wishing their property to remain in Dominican hands, the Sisters of Bethany have been very generous in the terms of the sale; but the renovations needed

on the buildings will be a significant expense," Mother Ann Marie stated.

The renovation costs are estimated at approximately $3 million, and will include work on the heating system, plumbing, window repair, and roof replacement. Plans are for these renovations to be phased over a one to two year period depending on available funding. The cost of renovations combined with the purchase price brings the project’s total to $4.6 million.

Through requests of individuals, organizations and foundations, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia are now raising funds to pay for the purchase of this property as well as the needed renovations.

The potential for the New Evangelization is already being realized at the Villaggio Betania. The five sisters in residence have hosted a parish catechetical conference (with two of the sisters giving the talks in Italian), family picnics and a reunion for former residents of the Bethany Sisters’ orphanage. Two of the sisters are offering English lessons to school children in the local parish.

Through all such apostolic activities, the sisters wish to give witness to the truth that the Church is a Mother with an open heart!

“The primary reason for evangelizing, writes Pope Francis, “is the love of Jesus which we have received, the experience of salvation which urges us to ever greater love of him. What kind of love would not feel the need to speak of the beloved, to point him out, to make him known?” Like the Bethany of the Gospel, may the Villaggio Betania continue to be a home where the love of Jesus is received, nurtured and spread.

Friends and supporters of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation will have the opportunity to dedicate their gifts for the expansion and renovation of Villaggio Betania ~ Bracciano, Italy. Gifts may be given in honor of or in memory of family members, friends or loved ones. The dollar amounts associated with the Commemorative Opportunities do not reflect the actual cost of each item, but rather the need to meet the cost of the entire project. A few such commemorative opportunities are indicated below: Main Building: Siena Hall • St. Catherine ~ Santa Caterina Chapel • Recreation Room • Martino Hall (Dining Hall) • Upper Chapel • Commercial Kitchen • Superior’s Office • Aquino Classroom • Alberto Classroom • Patio • Terrace (Great Room) • Terrace (Sister’s Convent) • Commercial Laundry • Sisters’ Refectory • Sisters’ Community Room • Sisters’ Study Room • Villaggio Betania Coordinator’s Office • Aquinas College Program Director’s Office • Faculty Member’s Office • Faculty Room • Spiral Stairway • Elevator • Sisters’ Visiting Parlor/Meeting Room • Sisters’ Kitchenette • Sister’s Cell (9) • Library (Great Room) • Kitchen Office • Sisters’ Laundry • Storage

DONOR RECOGNITION

$1,500,000 $ 500,000 $ 100,000 $ 75,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 7,500 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 2,500 $ 2,500

Casa A: St. Joseph ~ San Giuseppe (Male Housing) • Common Area for Male Guests • Bedroom (6) • Kitchenette • Spiral Stairway • Guest Laundry • Maintenance Room • Phone Booth • Storage Casa B: St. Cecilia ~ Santa Cecilia (Female Housing) • Recreation Room • Bedroom (6) • Kitchenette • Spiral Stairway Casa C: Bl. Stephanie ~ Bl. Stefana (Female Housing &Private Guest Apt.) • Private Guest Apartment • Common Area for Female Guests • Bedroom (5) • Kitchenette • Spiral Stairway • Guest Laundry • Storage Casa D: Fra Angelico (Versatile Housing & Private Guest Apartment) • Private Guest Apartment • Common Area • Bedroom (3) • Kitchenette • Spiral Stairway

$ 350,000 $ 50,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 2,500 $ 2,500 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 350,000 $ $ $ $

50,000 5,000 5,000 5,000

$ 350,000 $ 100,000 $ 50,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 2,500 $ 1,000 $ 350,000 $ 150,000 $ 25,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000

The Dominican Sisters are grateful for and acknowledge all gifts for Villaggio Betania ~ Bracciano, Italy. Benefactors are remembered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the daily prayers of the sisters.

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Cardinal Edwin O'Brien, Sister Ignatius, Mother Ann Marie, Sister Christina, a.s.s.p., Mother Emily Anne, a.s.s.p., Sister Philip Joseph, and Rev. Msgr. Owen Campion rejoice in the gift of God's faithful love on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebration of Sister Ignatius and Sister Philip Joseph.

I ubilee B lessings (l. to r.) Sister Theresa Joseph, Sister Mary Michael, Sister Mary Thomas, Sister Mary Dominic, Mother Ann Marie, Sister Mary Andrew, Sister Immaculata, Sister Catherine Joseph, Sister Mary Clare, and Sister Patrick Stephen pause for a photo on the day of celebration of their Silver Jubilee of religious profession.

Bishop Choby shares a laugh with the sisters celebrating their Silver Jubilee

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

Most Rev. David Choby, Bishop of Nashville, with Sister Ignatius and Sister Philip Joseph

Sister Ignatius with members of her family at the Golden Jubilee Mass

Father Albert Trudel, O.P. preaches the homily for the Silver Jubilee Mass

“This homework assignment might have eternal consequences!” These words from Sister Anna Laura, my seventh grade teacher at St. Gertrude School in Cincinnati, filled me with intrigue. “What could she possibly ask us to do this weekend as twelve-year-olds that was so important, but so personal that she promised not to grade us or even ask if we had done it?” I wondered.

“And ‘eternal consequences’…that means it could affect me forever!”

“Pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be tonight. If you’re really brave, do it every night this weekend,” Sister said. “Ask the Lord to bless your future spouse, or if He wills, to give you the grace of openness to a religious vocation.”

I was now in awe…Sister had invited us to pray. She had consistently given us the witness of a deep faith that God desires to be intimately involved in each of our lives. But now she called us to welcome Christ’s loving plan into our lives in a new and profound way.

As I lay in bed that night, Sister’s words echoed in my memory as I did our “assignment.” More importantly, however, my heart was touched by an encounter of God’s love for me. In those simple and familiar prayers, I chose to be open to the Lord speaking to me.

For the first time, the possibility of becoming a religious sister seemed to be something to which God might be inviting me. I wondered what God had in store for my life and joyfully awaited how He would uncover the mystery.

As the years passed, I kept the love of Christ as the greatest treasure in my heart and pursued every means I could to grow deeper in my faith, to become more active in my parish, and to remain faithful to God’s will in my daily life.

The thought of a religious vocation remained somewhere in the back of my mind throughout high school, but I was not always delighted with the idea. Even as I prayed that God would send me “signs” to show me his plan, I hoped that I would somehow miss them, because I was afraid of the great sacrifices He might ask. Trying to ignore the great things He was asking did not work, however, because I knew deep down that I did desire to live entirely for Him. I knew that true peace and joy could only be found in following God’s

Vocation Spotlight

by Sister Marie de Lourdes Dickert, O.P. plan for my life.

While in high school, I visited the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia at their convent across the street from St. Gertrude Parish and School and joined them for prayers. I was captivated by the beauty and simplicity of their life of consecration. The secret of the source of their joy and authentic charity could be found there in their chapel and in their common life together. As a student of the sisters, I had seen them “in action” in the midst of their apostolate of education. In addition to teaching me about Narnia, frog dissection, early Church martyrs, and the Rosary, they built on the strong foundation of faith that my family had given me and taught me to see God’s loving plan in everything. It was clear that the sisters had a special way of loving each student and family and helping us live true Christian lives by their own example. Only when I visited them in their convent, though, did I glimpse the hidden life of deep prayer that animated them in all things.

This wonderful balance of the contemplative and apostolic life stirred up the desires of my heart as I continued to pray about my vocation.

I came to the Motherhouse in Nashville for the first time as a senior in high school and felt Christ’s call gently in my heart. However, I sensed it was not yet time to enter, so I enrolled at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. While there, I studied theology and catechetics and was involved in the Dominicaninspired women’s household, Beloved

First Truth. I sought opportunities for daily prayer and found myself in an environment that deepened my knowledge and love for Christ. My experiences at Franciscan University fostered my vocation, instilling a desire to give my “yes” to the Lord who had always loved me extravagantly!

Now after two beautiful years of formation, I recently made my first profession of vows. Words cannot describe the joy I received from entrusting myself entirely into the hands of the One who has loved me faithfully from all eternity!

Now as I strive to live my consecration more deeply and to prepare for the classroom, I desire to lead my students to the knowledge and love of Christ, following the example of the sisters who helped form me as a child. Through this journey, I have discovered that God uses even the ordinary things, like a homework assignment, to accomplish wonders in our lives!

Sister Marie de Lourdes (third row, first from left) with some of her seventh grade classmates at St. Gertrude School, Cincinnati, OH. Sister Mary Raymond, her middle school science teacher, stands at the back of the room by the school nurse. nashvilledominican.org

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The newly professed sisters exchange the sign of peace.

Perpetual Profession of Vows 2014

(First row, l. to r.) Sister Maria Benedicta Mantia, Sister Rita Marie Kampa (Second row, l. to r.): Sister Mary Margaret Taranto, Sister Dominica Bickerton, Sister Maria Francesca Wiley (Third row, l. to r.) Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of Winona, MN; Most Rev. Hugh E. Gilbert, O.S.B., Bishop of Aberdeen, Scotland; Mother Ann Marie (Fourth row, l. to r.) Most Rev. David R. Choby, Bishop of Nashville, TN; Most Rev. Bernard J. Harrington, Bishop Emeritus of 18 Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia Winona, MN

Sister Maria Benedicta signs her vows on the altar after making perpetual profession.

First Profession of Vows 2014 Bishop David R. Choby receives the gifts of bread and wine from Sister Anna Margaret.

Mother Ann Marie greets the newly professed sisters after the Mass.

(l. to r.) Sister Anna Ruth, Sister Anna Margaret, Sister Daniela, Sister Krista Marie, Sister Cecilia Marie, Sister Felicia Marie, Sister Mary Colette, Sister Mary Gemma, Sister Chiara, Sister Anna Grace, Director of Novices; Sister Marie de Lourdes, Mother Ann Marie, Sister Magdalen Marie nashvilledominican.org

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Reception of the Dominican Habit

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

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Bethany Retreat House

chapel wing Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia

Bethany Retreat House Chapel Wing COMMEMORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

In October 2013, the Dominican Sisters broke ground on Phase III of Bethany Retreat House Chapel Wing. A lead gift from an anonymous donor made it possible to begin the third and final wing of the retreat house, the center of which will be Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel.

"The congregation’s Bethany Retreat House has quickly become a welcome 'place apart,' where both individuals and groups have the opportunity to experience the presence of Christ in prayer, in the sacraments and in reflection on the daily living the Gospel" said Mother Ann Marie.

"Parent retreats for the renewal of the family have proven to be especially fruitful."

Retreats continue while construction is in progress. It is expected to take 18 months to complete the chapel wing as long as funding is available. With this lead gift the

sisters are seeking the additional funds needed to complete the final wing. Presently, the sisters have reached 65% of the $4,600,000 goal for the chapel wing. Current funds will allow construction to continue through June 2015.

The chapel wing plans reflect the desire of the sisters to provide a facility designed to meet the spiritual and physical needs of those wishing to come away for quiet and prayer. " It is in quiet and in prayer that we often become aware of God’s presence in our souls," Mother Ann Marie stated.

The plans include: 16 bedrooms with private bathrooms; and a chapel to accommodate 120 retreatants.

Since the first section of Bethany Retreat House was completed in February 2011, it has accommodated more than 1,000 retreatants utilizing the center wing and then refectory wing beginning in De-

cember 2011. Those two wings were made possible by a gift from Gayle and Tom Benson of New Orleans, Louisiana.

"With present funding we will be able to complete the rough installation of all mechanical, plumbing and electrical works; complete the roof and tiling; tie-in between the center section and the newly built section and complete the stone facing on the lower exterior," said Sister Mary Angela, Director of Advancement.

"While this construction work is in progress the Congregation Advancement Office is working to raise the remaining $1,587,838 to complete the project."

If you would like more information on Bethany Retreat House or you would like to know how to help, please contact Sister Mary Angela at 615-496-2004 or diradvance@op-tn. org .

Friends and supporters of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation have the opportunity to dedicate their gifts for the construction of Bethany Retreat House Chapel Wing, Phase III in Dickson, Tennessee to the honor of or in memory of family members, friends or loved ones. The dollar amounts associated with the Commemorative Opportunities do not reflect the actual cost of each item, but rather the need to meet the cost of the entire project. A few such commemorative opportunities are indicated below: Chapel Wing, Phase III • Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel Committed $2,000,000 • Altar $ 500,000 • Tabernacle and Pedestal Committed $ 250,000 • Sanctuary $ 150,000 • Crucifix $ 100,000 • Sanctuary Mural $ 75,000 • Altar Rail $ 50,000 • Blessed Mother Image Committed $ 50,000 • Saint Joseph Image $ 50,000 • Sacristy $ 50,000 • Congregational Chairs and Kneelers $ 30,000 • Jesus and Thomas Bas Relief $ 25,000 • Jesus, Mary, Martha and Lazarus at Bethany Bas Relief $ 25,000 • Confessional $ 25,000 • St. Catherine of Siena Stained Glass Window Committed $ 25,000 • St. Rose of Lima Stained Glass Window Committed $ 25,000 • St. Agnes of Montepulciano Stained Glass Window

Committed $ 25,000 • Blessed Jane of Aza Stained Glass Window Committed $ 25,000 • Ambo $ 25,000 • Meeting Room $ 25,000 • Entrance Hall $ 25,000 • Stations of the Cross Committed $ 20,000 • Floor Candlesticks (6) $ 3,500 • Celebrant’s Chair $ 3,000 • Sanctuary Kneeler $ 3,000

Chapel Wing, Phase III, continued • Lectern Committed • Storage/Coat Closet • Sanctuary Side Chairs (4) • Credence Table (2) • Small table for celebrant

Committed • Altar candlestick (4)

Committed (4) • Sanctuary lamp (2)

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

2,500 2,500 2,000 2,000 1,500 1,500 1,500

Chapel Wing, Ground Floor: • Entrance Hall $ 20,000 • Cell (Monastic Bedroom with private bathroom -- 16)

Committed (7) $ 10,000 • Storage/Coat Closet (2) $ 2,500 • Mechanical Room (4) $ 1,000 Center Section, Phase I • Meeting Room

Committed • Elevator • Cell with office (Monastic bedroom with office – 2) • Laundry Room

$ $ $ $

20,000 10,000 7,500 7,500

Refectory Wing, Phase II • Screened Porch • Office/Reception Area • Cell (Monastic Bedroom – 20)

$ $ $

20,000 7,500 5,000

DONOR RECOGNITION The Dominican Sisters are grateful for and acknowledge all gifts for Bethany Retreat House Chapel Wing. Benefactors are remembered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the daily prayers of the sisters.

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

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Sisters welcome guests

Our Lady Queen of Preachers House of Studies, Washington, D.C. Open House This past summer 30 Dominican Sisters studying in Washington, D.C. and residing at Our Lady Queen of Preachers House of Studies welcomed almost 200 guests at an open house. The congregation purchased the property in August 2012 from the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales with the financial assistance of benefactors and friends.

The open house was sponsored by Rick and Nadine Smith of Catering by the Bay. Guests were given tours of the convent and then enjoyed delicious refreshments prepared and served by the Smiths and their staff. Sister Mary Angela, Vicaress General and Director of Advancement shared the story of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia during her presentations in the community room.

Sr. Mary Juliana greets Jane Ferketic and Christine Fulginiti

Sam Smith, Nadine Smith, Julie McDermid, Sr. Maria Catherine and Chris Subak

The sisters share information with guests in the library

Guests enjoy the delicious food

24prepared Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

by Catering by the Bay

Dr. Michael and Jane Hargadon with Sister Amelia

Sr. Anne Catherine greets Faye and Bill Carpenter; (above) Evangeline Shunk

Open House guests pray in the OLQP Chapel

Marybeth Morgan and David Kacar visit with the sisters on the patio

Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia

Our Lady Queen of Preachers House of Studies

COMMEMORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES Friends and supporters of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation have the op-

portunity to dedicate their gifts for the acquisition of Our Lady Queen of Preachers House of Studies, Washington, D.C. to the honor of or the memory of family members, friends or loved ones. The dollar amounts associated with the Commemorative Opportunities do not reflect the actual cost of each item, but rather the need to meet the cost of the entire project. A few such commemorative opportunities are indicated below: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Chapel St. Dominic Hall (main floor) St. Thomas Aquinas Hall (ground floor) St. Catherine Hall (third floor) St. Rose Hall (fourth floor) Refectory Community Room Sacristy OLQP Main Entrance Library Reading Room Kitchen St. Thomas Aquinas Hall Classroom Sewing Room St. Dominic Hall Classroom (two) Small Community Room Patio Committed Superior’s Office Parlor (two) Mechanical Room Tool Room Cell (Monastic Bedroom, third floor -- 15) Pantry Laundry Cell (Monastic Bedroom, fourth floor -- 15) Portress Office Mail/Copy Room Small Offices/Studies (4)

$ 500,000 $ 250,000 $ 250,000 $ 100,000 $ 100,000 $ 100,000 $ 100,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000

DONOR RECOGNITION

The Dominican Sisters are grateful for and acknowledge all gifts for Our Lady Queen of Preachers House of Studies, Washington, D.C. Benefactors are remembered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the daily prayers of the sisters.

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Athena Foundation makes gift in memory of Dr. Dona Gower to Education Endowment Fund The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia received a gift of $50,000 from theBoard of Directors of the Athena Foundation in memory of Dr. Dona Gower to be directed to the congregation's Education Endowment Fund.

The Athena Foundation was set up in 1996 by the late Dr. Dona S. Gower and her husband Dr. Herschel Gower to

support excellence in education. The Congregation was one of four organizations to receive a gift of $50,000 or more.

"These four groups represent the breadth of Dona's passion and labors.

They recognize her education, her teaching, her commitment to a model of excellence for the renewal of teachers, and her ever-present desire to foster equality and dignity for all people," said Alison Gower, daughter of Dona and Herschel.

Dr. Dona Gower served as a faculty member of both at St. Cecilia Academy

and Aquinas College, Nashville and her daughter, Alison Gower, graduated from Overbrook School.

"Dona Gower and I taught in the English department at Aquinas, " said former colleague and friend, Sister Mary Bernard. "Dona was a perfect colleague -very smart, well-educated and fun! I used to think that if I had not become a sister, I would like to be like her."

The congregation's Education Endowment Fund provides for the education of the sisters.

Family and friends gather at

Charleston, South Carolina Reception

Family and friends gathered at the home of Brad and Valerie Gore on a beautiful, warm spring evening in May. Approximately 50 guests were on hand for a Wine and Cheese Open House hosted by the Gores in honor of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia.

Those in attendance had the opportunity to learn more about the religious community. The occasion also provided the sisters with an opportunity to thank friends and benefactors personally for their support of the congregation.

Sister Mary Angela, Vicaress General and Director of Advancement for the Congregation, served as the featured speaker for the event.

(above, l. to r.) row one: Sister Mary Angela, Sister Mara Grace (daughter of Brad and Valerie Gore); row two: Brad and Valerie Gore; row three: Sister Maria Cecilia, Sister Henry Suso, Sister Mary Davyd and Sister Mary Andrew

Jason and Audrey Vaughan

Aquinas College Distinctly Dominican

Vision 2020: Truth & Charity is the first effort of its kind to truly bring all students, faculty, staff, board members, and friends of the College together for one mission. The process of developing this strategic plan has been thorough and the product is outstanding. The new Aquinas College will move forward with great respect for the past and tremendous excitement for the future.

The World Meeting of Families will take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia from TuesdayFriday, September 22-25, 2015. There will be Daily Mass, Devotions, Keynote Addresses and multiple breakout sessions.

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

(above, l. to r.) Capt. Iniobong Akai, Valerie Gore, Elizabeth Akai

Sister Henry Suso visits with Raymond Carney

Read the plan online at aquinascollege.edu/vision2020 4210 HARDING PIKE — NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37205 — AQUINASCOLLEGE.EDU

Aquinas College is owned and administered by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (above) The crowd gathers to listen to Sister Mary Angela's talk on the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (right) Carol Vaughan, mother of Sister Maris Stella, and Eileen Kittrell nashvilledominican.org

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Meet the

Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation

members

Donum Ecclesiae Guild

801 Dominican Drive Nashville, TN 37228-1909

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID NASHVILLE, TN PERMIT NO. 4398

Eric and Barbara Mansfield

Eric and Barbara Mansfield became acquainted with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia while two of their eight godchildren and their siblings attended St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School in Woodbridge, Virginia. Their relationship with the sisters would expand after meeting their now good friends Kathy and Dennis Murphy, whose daughter, Sister Martin de Porres, is a member of the community.

The Mansfields began their financial support of the community after getting to know the Murphys.

"Our interest in supporting the sisters was born out of our own strong support of Catholic education," said Barbara. "We think very highly of the sisters in Nashville and what they do as teachers in Catholic education."

Eric and Barbara have been married for 41 years, and they are both retired.

Eric is a graduate of the United States (U.S.) Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, where he earned his degree in engineering. At graduation, he was commissioned as an officer, and he served four years active duty in the U.S. Navy. Following his service in the

Navy, Eric was an engineer and worked on government contracts in the Washington, D.C., area.

Barbara graduated from Miami University of Ohio, with a bachelor of arts degree in education. She taught second grade for Sister Mary Angela presents Barbara and Eric two years before beginning her Mansfield with a statue of St. Cecilia in honor of career with Ford Motor Compa- their membership in the Congregation's Donum ny. She retired from Ford, where Ecclesiae Guild. she served as their Washington, Woodbridge, VA. Barbara works in the D.C., Public Affairs Manager. library at the church and is an ExtraorThe Mansfields enjoy traveling, and dinary Minister of Holy Communion. they have "done a lot of it."

Eric is a member of the Knights of "Our travels have included three Columbus. trips to the Motherhouse in Nashville.

Eric and Barbara have made a We visited for Sister Martin de Porres's planned gift for the Dominican Sisfirst profession of vows and for her perters by designating the congregation a petual profession of vows, as well as for the Open House, Mass of Thanksgiving beneficiary of an Individual Retirement and Dinner in 2006," Barbara said. "We Account (IRA).

"We hope the gift from the IRA will also have visited the Dominican Sisters' allow the sisters to continue educatHouse of Studies, Our Lady Queen of ing young minds and will encourage Preachers, in Washington, D.C., and future vocations to the religious life and our latest travels to Italy allowed us to visit the sisters at their new convent and priesthood," said Eric. "We strongly encourage others to make planned gifts, campus, Villaggio Betania, in Bracallowing the sisters to plan for and supciano." port future growth and expansion.”

The Mansfields are both active at their parish, Our Lady of Angels, in

The Donum Ecclesiae Guild ("A Gift to the Church") was established in March 2007 to honor those who have included the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in their estate planning or made provisions through another type of planned gift.

Individuals may also be recognized as members if they make a gift of $50,000 or more to one of the endowment funds.

Planned gifts are a meaningful way to ensure the needs of the Dominican Sisters are met both now and well into the future. Whether contributions are restricted for certain areas of need or projects by the donor, or given as unrestricted gifts to use where they are most needed by the community, the sisters are extremely grateful to family members and friends who choose to leave a lasting legacy by making a planned gift.

To learn more about charitable giving through wills or bequests, IRA or retirement funds, gifts of appreciated stocks, charitable trusts or other estate planning vehicles, please contact Paige Matthews, Development Director, at 615-2510053, ext. 3004.

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

Year of Consecrated Life November 30, 2014 ~ February 2, 2016

“…We are all consecrated to [God] in Baptism. However, this consecration is lived in a special way by religious, by monks and nuns and by consecrated lay people, who by the profession of their vows belong to God in a full and exclusive way. …Totally consecrated to God, they are totally given to their brothers, to bring the light of Christ wherever the shadows are darkest in order to spread his hope to discouraged hearts. Every consecrated person is a gift for the People of God on its journey.” ~ Pope Francis, Angelus, February 2, 2014 nashvilledominican.org

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