Sister Ines Marie DiBonaventura, OP, (formerly Sister Inez Raymond), a Sister of Saint Dominic of Caldwell for 77 years, entered into eternal life on January 24, 2023, at the age of 95 at St. Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center in Caldwell, NJ.

A few months ago, Sister Peggy Ann Clinton, OP, was getting to know one of her students, Grace Baron, at Mount Saint Dominic Academy in Caldwell, New Jersey. Grace, MSDA ‘25, mentioned in passing that she had family in Mobile, Alabama. Sister Peggy Ann, knowing that the Caldwell Dominicans had served at St. Catherine School in Mobile for many years, asked if her family had attended St. Catherine’s. The next day, Grace reported that her grandfather, Jim Backes, had attended St. Catherine’s and was taught by several Caldwell sisters. Recently, Jim was in New Jersey and had a lovely reunion with his seventh-grade teacher, Sister Bettyanne Schultz, OP (Sister Mary Albert). Jim told Sister Bettyanne that she has always been an icon in his eyes, and he credits her and other Caldwell Dominicans for their great influence on his life.

On Wednesday, January 4th, Sister M. Veritas Picardi, OP, a Dominican Sister of Caldwell for more than 68 years, entered into eternal life. Generous and hospitable, Sister Veritas loved gatherings with family and friends. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a great laugh. With a smile and a love for life, Sister Veritas brought the message of God’s never-ending love to all who came to know her.

On Wednesday, December 21, 2022, a wake and funeral Mass for Sister Catherine Gerard Kirchner will be held at Saint Aloysius Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ. The wake will be from 9:15–10:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Graveside services will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds in Caldwell.