44 JANUARY 13 - JANUARY 19, 2017 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP Celebrating the Dominican order BY ROSALEEN DEGREGORIO Anyone who grew up in the Catholic faith years ago was familiar with the involvement of the various orders of nuns in the Catholic schools. The presence of the sisters was easily recognized dressed in their habits as they taught classes, being greeted with “Good Morning, Sister” or “Good Afternoon, Sister.” Well, times have changed and we have seen the number of nuns decrease through the years. But how much do we really know about these religious women and the important roles they still play in today’s society? Many would be surprised to discover many of these orders actually have a long history. At St. Ephrem School, the junior high students celebrated the 800th Jubilee of the Dominican Order, which was founded by St. Dominic. Pope Honorious III recognized it as an order back on December 22, 1216. Junior High religion teacher Michelle Emeh, invited Sr. Mary Davies, OP to speak to the seventh and eighth graders to enlighten them about the ministry of the Dominican nuns. Emeh, while researching about the Dominicans, discovered that the priests specially wrote a song “Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare” in honor of the 800th Jubilee about the Dominican motto (To Praise. To Bless. To Preach.). She had several of the seventh graders perform this song for Sr. Mary. She is an important member of the St. Ephrem faculty as she enriches the students in kindergarten through eighth grade teaching them about the important facets of their Catholic faith on a weekly basis in the “Potter’s Room.” Sr. Mary is the perfect example of service as she has dedicated her life to the field of education. She has been a teacher for 25 years in various schools and has served 15 years as an education administrator with 11 of those years as principal at St. Agatha’s School in Sunset Park. Another member of the Dominican order at St. Ephrem Church is Sr. Ann Martha. She provides solace and discussion to those who have lost loved ones with the St. Ephrem Bereavement Support Group, which meets weekly. Sr. Mary belongs to the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville. She spoke to the students, telling them about the history of the Dominican order and the history of her particular order which began when four young nuns traveled from Germany to Brooklyn back in 1853 so that they could teach the teach the children of German immigrants. Sr. Mary displayed her order’s website on the Smartboard, pointing out the various nuns and the important jobs they perform on a daily basis. She explained how the nuns live according to the Four Pillars of Dominican tradition: Prayer, Ministry, Community and Study. The Motherhouse, located in Amityville, also has a Homecoming Farm, which grows organic vegetables. The sisters grow for themselves and for those in need through their affiliation/ partnership with the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN). The Dominican Village is another wonderful program providing a supportive environment to the elderly in a retirement community and assisted living residence. Here the nuns offer programs, which promote mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. Many of the nuns also provide services that expand beyond the classroom setting to nursing homes and hospitals, and serving as advocates for those who have no voice – homeless, Sr. Ann Martha, OP (seated) and Sr. Mary Davies, OP. immigrants, prison inmates, victims of natural disaster and war on a local and global level. The St. Ephrem School and Church staff held a luncheon for the two nuns, thanking them for their service to the Photo courtesy of St. Ephrem School Dominican Order. Congratulations to the Sisters of the Dominican Order for all the hard work and accomplishments achieved over 800 years of service and dedication to others in the name of God. Setting sail for the future It’s going from Clipper Pride to Semper Paratus for senior Jack Kimmeth, who has been accepted to the prestigious United State Coast Guard Academy. Kimmeth, a lifelong resident of Breezy Point, has been a member of the Xaverian community since he was a 6th grader in its Genesis Program. Kimmeth also is an integral member of the school’s Pipe and Drum Corps and its varsity swim team, and will graduate among the top of his class academically. On being accepted, Kimmeth said, “Both growing up in Breezy Point and attending Xaverian has made me who I am today, and I am thankful for everything that everyone has Photo courtesy of Xaverian High School provided me with and cannot wait for my turn to be able to give back to my school, my community, and the world.” Jack Kimmeth.
HRR01122017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above