Recent Ceremonies
Sister Claire Maher Celebrates 104 Years!
Inauguration of Dr. Mary Marcy
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
135th Anniversary of Dominican Sisters in Stockton
International Day of Peace - 2011
Sister Anne Bertain Receives Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award
St. Michael's Celebrates Sister Emmanuel

Recent Ceremonies

Our most recent ceremony was August 20, 2011, when we welcomed Alexa Chipman to our community. She is now a candidate and looks forward to learning about religious life as a Dominican Sister of San Rafael. To enter into the journey of women who have responded to God's call lived through the lifestyle of the preacher in the tradition of Dominic, and view photos of recent ceremonies, please click on the link below:

Ceremonies >

Sister Claire Maher Celebrates 104 Years!

So how do 104 years look? For Sister Claire Maher, they look very good. After Mass at Lourdes Convent this morning, she received a special blessing, and all sang Happy Birthday. Then Sister shared her gratefulness for the day, her health, and her life. Hers is a gratitude we all share in!

Sister Claire prays very fervently for vocations! Who knows how many might come this year before her 105th birthday?

The sisters pray The Dominican Blessing over Sister Claire.

Sister Maureen, our Prioress General, and Sister Claire share a few words following the birthday blessing.

Inauguration of Dr. Mary Marcy

Having founded Dominican College (now University) in 1890, we were enthusiastic participants on October 29 in the inauguration ceremonies for the institution's ninth president in its history. Dr. Mary B. Marcy graciously and symbolically began the day in front of Dominican Convent, having invited the Dominican Sisters to process with her up Acacia Street to Edgehill where the official activities began. Many of us walked; those who could not were provided with golf cart transportation. It was a picture perfect fall day and we were honored to be so recognized as founders.

Sister Maureen McInerney, Prioress General, greets Dr. Marcy coming up the walkway to Dominican Convent

Dr. Marcy and Sister Maureen lead the procession of Sisters who joyfully attended the day of inaugural ceremonies

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

Sisters, staff, and collegues from Dominican University gathered at the the San Rafael Fire Department for a training in emergency response on October 6th. Participants learned how to size-up a situation, prioritize, and efficiently create a plan of action. Everyone had a hands-on opportunity to practice skills of basic first aid, fire suppression, and carry techniques. It was a great learning opportunity that prepared those attending to be prepared for emergencies that could occur in our vicinity when city and county emergency crews are overwhelmed. You can learn more about this program in your area at the CERT website.

Steven and Angela were our competent and inspiring trainers.	Fortunately our in-classroom-time coincided with the rain, so that we could stay dry and still learn.
Lourdes Convent (our care center) staff practice with a fire extinguisher.	Sister Maria Foraboschi practices bandaging with Michael Chase, our Director of Properties.
Sister Patricia Boss looks on while Sarah, our Director of Food Service at Santa Sabina Center, is splinted.	Sister Pat Farrell (right) practices a carry with three others.

135th Anniversary of Dominican Sisters in Stockton

On Sunday, September 25th, the sisters celebrated 135 years of presence and minstry in Stockton. Bishop Blaire presided over Eucharist, which was celebrated at O'Connor Woods. The sisters were joined by many in Stockton with whom and to whom the sisters have ministered - in hospital ministry at St. Joseph's Medical Center - in education at St. Mary's High School and diocesan elementary schools - in parish ministry - at the chancery office - in social justice ministry - in immigration work - with the elderly - and wherever they can be Christ's presence in our world.

A twenty-voice sisters' choir led the singing at our anniversary Mass.	Sister Abby Newton shared her reflections on the readings and on the sisters' lives in Stockton
Bishop Blaire welcomed Mother Mary Goemaere (the foundress of our community 160 years ago) to a surprised audience.	Mother Mary shared her thoughts on the sisters' beginnings in California and in Stockton.
Following Mass, there was a celebratory reception in the garden at O'Connor Woods.	"They're singing our song!" The Prima Voce Choir from St. Mary's High School (founded by the Dominican Sisters) sang our very special "Hail Holy Queen" and then were joined by the sisters in singing it again.

International Day of Peace - 2011

Joined by neighbors, Dominican University students, parishioners of St. Raphael parish, and friends, the sisters observed the International Day of Peace today, September 21, 2011, at Dominican Sisters Center in San Rafael.

Sisters, neighbors, and friends join together in San Rafael to pray for peace on this beautiful sunny day.	Lyn Kirkconnell unveils the new plaque on our Peace Pole, which is written in Hebrew.
Sr. Judy Lu McDonnell raises an olive branch in blessing the Peace Pole.	Sr. Pat Farrell leads those gathered in song.
Rabbi Henry Schreibman shares Hebrew prayers for peace.	Nafisa Haji prays for peace in the Muslim tradition.
Katie Petcavich shares a prayer in the Christian tradition.	Our Peace Pole now states "May Peace Prevail on Earth in six languages: Hebrew (our newest plaque), Miwok (the Indians who lived here prior to the Europeans' arrival), Arabic, French (the language of our Founder, Mother Marie Goemaere), Spanish (the language that was spoken in California when Mother Marie arrived), and English.

Sister Anne Bertain Receives Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award

Archbishop George Niederauer honored six women and men, including Sister Anne Bertain, OP, with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (“For the Church and The Holy Father”) award on August 14 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco. Parishioners of St. Dominic Church, where Sister Anne has ministered for over 40 years, celebrated with her, as did her family and Dominican Sisters. We are proud of Sister Anne and her faithful ministry to the people of God in San Francisco, especially her work with the poor at Lima Center.

Archbishop Niederauer presents Sister Anne with the Pro Ecclesia award	Sister Anne and the Archbishop after the Vespers service
Sister Anne's family in the front rows	A combined choir from the Cathedral and Saint Dominic Church, at the direction of Simon Berry, provided for a very worshipful experience
Sister Anne with Sister Lucy and Father Xavier at the reception	Parishioners from Saint Dominc's join Sister Anne
Sisters, friars, and family join Sister at at Saint Rose Convent for afterwards	Sister Anne's sisters, Margaret, Mary, and Jean at St. Rose Convent
Pro Ecclesia certifcate displayed next to statue of Saint Dominic	Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal

St. Michael's Celebrates Sister Emmanuel

On June 25th St. Michael Parish, in Livermore, celebrated Sister Emmanuel Cardinale's dedication to St. Michael School and her movement to other ministries. When the school opened in 1913, the pastor Fr. Patrick Power invited the
Dominican Sisters of San Rafael to staff the school. Of the school's 98-year history,
Sr. Emmanuel has served for 30 years as both teacher and principal. What an
amazing accomplishment! We celebrate you, Sister Emmanuel, and wish you well in your future ministry.

Sister Maureen McInerney, Prioress General, recounts Sr. Emmanuel's service and accomplishments at St. Michael's, and tells of the love of the school and the appreciation for the heritage of the sisters at St. Michael's.	Sr. Emmanuel's words and humor reminds everyone of the reasons that she is so loved and respected at St. Michael's. Sr. Emmanuel will be missed.
These are a few of the parishioners that are gathered for the celebration.	Twenty of the Dominican Sisters came to celebrate, not only Sr. Emmanuel's 30 years, but also the sisters' 98-year heritage at St. Michael's. Here are Srs. Joan Hanna, Raya Hanlon, Margaret Diener, and Sue Pixley.

Sister Emmanuel is delighted to received flowers from a students and parents.