Our Two California Missions
Sacramento, CA
The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist have opened a new mission in Sacramento, California at Presenation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish. The Sisters arrived on August 7th (the vigil of St. Dominic!) at the invitation of Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Sacramento and Rev. Jeremy Leatherby, Pastor. Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic School is the first parish school where the Sisters have undertaken the administration. The Sisters at the Presentation Mission Sisters are Sr. Maximilian Marie, Sr. Ave Maria, Sr. Maria Rose, Sr. Hyacinth and Sr. Mary Gloria. They are thrilled to have the privilege to serve in this corner of His Kingdom!
The Dominican Sisters of Mary are taking up the torch in an area rich in Dominican history: in 1850, Dominican Father Joseph Sadoc Alemany, O.P., became the first Archbishop of California and brought with him many religious communities to establish a ‘moral order’ amidst the decadent lifestyle that accompanied the gold rush. Among these were Dominican sisters who later established the first Dominican Motherhouse in San Rafael.
When Pope Pius IX appointed Fr. Alemany Archbishop, his words to him were, “Many people go to seek gold. But you will go there to seek the gold of souls.” The Dominican Sisters of Mary have journeyed West in search of the same heavenly treasure, and to give a witness no less counter-cultural. With the opening of the California mission, the Sisters are spreading the attractive witness of a life lived wholly for Christ quite literally from coast to coast! With heartfelt gratitude, the Sisters wish to thank all those whose generosity and careful planning have made this mission possible, most especially His Excellency, Bishop Jaime Soto, Bishop Emeritus William K. Weigand of the Diocese of Sacramento, and our benefactors, Fred and Joan Cordova, whose tremendous love and zeal for the Church and for religious life have been the source of great blessings for our community.
Loomis, CA
The Loomis Mission continues the presence of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in the Sacramento Diocese, but this year with three new Sisters, one of whom is a founding member of our community, Sr. Mary Samuel Handwerker, O.P. In order to accommodate the rapid growth of the community, the Dominican Sisters of Mary are discerning how best to proceed as they consider plans to build a Priory to house Sisters on property donated by our benefactors, Fred and Joan Cordova, whose tremendous love and zeal for the Church and for religious life have been a source of great blessings for our community. Please keep this endeavour in your prayers!
To provide local support to this effort, Sr. Thomas Augustine and Sr. Catherine Marie are working at a new branch of our Mission Advancement Office while Sr. Mary Samuel is providing guidance and strategic planning for the proposed expansion. The Sisters wish to thank all those whose generosity and careful planning have made this mission and the future of growth of the community in California possible, most especially His Excellency, Bishop Jaime Soto and Bishop Emeritus William K. Weigand of the Diocese of Sacramento.
Our Florida Mission
The Sunshine State warmly greeted the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist as they came for their fourth year on mission in Ave Maria, Florida. This year, Sr. Albert Marie will be finishing her master’s degree in theology at Ave Maria University. She is looking forward to writing her thesis, a fete which will include translating some of her own patron’s work! Sr. Teresa Benedicta, Sr. Mary Margaret, and Sr. Joseph Maria are returning to teach at the Rhodora J. Donahue Academy of Ave Maria. The three Sisters are teaching a classical curriculum at both the elementary and secondary levels under the leadership of headmaster and long-time friend of the Sisters, Dr. Daniel Guernsey. The students hold a special place in their hearts and the Sisters are looking forward to another year with them and their families. In this Sunshine state, may the light of Christ shine ever more intensely.
Our South Carolina Mission
This year, four Sisters eagerly packed their bags and headed southeast to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Sr. Maria Christi is returning for her second year on this "Southern" mission, while Sr. Maria Faustina, Sr. Emmanuel and Sr. Mary Cecilia are enjoying their first year in the Low Country. All four Sisters are teaching at St. Francis Catholic School. Tradition has it that St. Dominic and St. Francis met up with each other while in the Eternal City of Rome; thus beginning a lasting friendship between these two great founders. With the Dominican Sisters teaching at St. Francis School, the relationship has been rekindled. Here on the Island, for a fourth year, two charisms have been joined: veritas (truth) and caritas (love)!
Our Arizona Mission
Just as our Holy Father St. Dominic sent out his friars setting the world ablaze, so the Dominican Sisters of Mary have travelled far to the beautiful mountains and deserts of Arizona in order to bring souls His burning Love! (Beware of wildfires!) "Two by two" they left their Mother, Sisters, and home and in turn were most warmly welcomed for a fifth year by Bishop Thomas Olmsted; Father John Ehrich, their pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and School; St. Mary's High School, St. Gregory’s Parish School and all of the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona.
Beginning our fifth year in Phoenix are returning sisters Sr. Mary Magdalene and Sr. Mary Theresa; new this year are Sr. Philip John, Sr. Maria Frassati, Sr. Jude Andrew and Sr. Peter Mary. Our six desert "transplants" continue to be overwhelmed by the immense generosity, goodness, support, love, and prayers of the people in Arizona. They are certainly privileged to be part of such an extraordinary Diocese, thrilled and honored to be among those representing the Community in the Southwest for a fifth year!
Beginning our fifth year in Phoenix are returning sisters Sr. Mary Magdalene and Sr. Mary Theresa; new this year are Sr. Philip John, Sr. Maria Frassati, Sr. Jude Andrew and Sr. Peter Mary. Our six desert "transplants" continue to be overwhelmed by the immense generosity, goodness, support, love, and prayers of the people in Arizona. They are certainly privileged to be part of such an extraordinary Diocese, thrilled and honored to be among those representing the Community in the Southwest for a fifth year!
Our Two Texas Missions
BUDA, TX
In the beautiful hill country of Buda, Texas there is a mission of three SMJs. Sister Mary Joseph, Sister Mary Jacinta, and Sister Mary Judith are thoroughly enjoying teaching the many young souls of Santa Cruz Catholic School. Sister Mary Joseph teaches her first grade knights. Sister Mary Jacinta teaches second grade and absolutely loves preparing them for First Confession and Communion. Sister Mary Judith teaches a group of 19 children that include children from third to fifth grades. Being in a school where the majority of the students are under five years old provides many opportunities for reflection on the words of Christ “Let the little children come to me.” What a beautiful gift to be able to form such precious souls!
AUSTIN, TX
The Sisters once again experienced a warm Texas welcome as they began their second year on mission in Austin. Sr. Elizabeth Ann and Sr. Thomas Aquinas returned to Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent in North Austin, and were joined this year by Sr. Mary Elizabeth and Sr. Maria Rosario. Sr. Mary Elizabeth, who recently completed her PhD in electrical engineering at the University of Michigan, teaches chemistry and physics at St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School. Sr. Maria Rosario serves with Sr. Elizabeth Ann at the Diocesan Pastoral Center as we continue to move forward with plans to establish a priory, or large convent, in the diocese. Sr. Thomas Aquinas began her second year teaching middle school religion at Holy Family Catholic School. The Sisters continually give thanks to God for the enthusiastic support shown them by so many, particularly Bishop Joe S. Vasquez, the outstanding priests of the diocese, the principals, faculty, staff and families in the schools, and all our Texas Friends. God bless Texas!