News RSS Feed

Students and faculty members from Saint Dominic Academy, Lacordaire Academy, and Mount Saint Dominic Academy visited the Motherhouse on March 9th to learn more about our sisters as part of Catholic Sisters Week 2023, the theme of which is “Celebrating Traditions, Changing the World.” 

A Lenten Meditation led by the Caldwell Dominican Young Adults Group

Sister Lois Curry, OP (formerly Sister John Margaret), a Sister of Saint Dominic of Caldwell for 65 years, entered into eternal life on February 26, 2023, at the age of 82 at Saint Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center, Caldwell, NJ.

On February 13, 2023, a group of former members of the Sisters of St. Dominic invited Caldwell Dominican sisters to join them for a Zoom event entitled “The Hearts of Friendship.”

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.

Funeral Information: On Thursday, December 15, 2022, a wake and funeral mass for Sister Patricia Daly will be held at St. Aloysius Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ. The wake will be from 9:00–10:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. After the Mass, graveside services will be held at Gethsemane Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds.

We recognize how supportive you have been in the past and hope you will be able to respond to this special appeal. Truly, this is a “DIAMOND” opportunity to make a significant impact for our retired sisters who provided years of dedicated, loving service to God’s people.

The 2022 Dominican Month of Peace, which focuses on Myanmar, began on the First Sunday of Advent and extends through the end of December 2022.

Many thanks to Nancy Merrill and her knitting/crocheting group in Marian Manor. They gather every Tuesday afternoon to do handwork for those in need. Recently, many items were brought to St. Catherine Convent. Sisters Lois Kikkert, Mary Immaculate, and Christine Coakley sorted the items for distribution. These items were distributed to Mercy House in Newark, Neighborhood Center for Women and Children in Passaic, and Mother Theresa House in Montclair. All recipients were very grateful.

Congratulations to the winners!

On Sunday, November 6th, the Caldwell Dominicans celebrated Sister Mary Amelia Cetera's 100th birthday! The event began with a liturgy celebrated by Bishop Manuel Cruz in the Sister Mary Dominic Tweedus Chapel at Caldwell University. Bishop Cruz had Sister Mary Amelia renew her baptismal promises at the liturgy. A special reception followed in the atrium of the Newman Center at the university. The spirit in the room was wonderful with everyone enjoying the conversation, laughter, music, and joy that come with a great celebration! Prior to the event, a call had gone out to the Dominican community in hopes that Sister Mary Amelia would receive 100 birthday cards. In reality, she has been flooded with cards from sisters, neighbors, students at our sponsored works, friends, and former students—so many that we are still counting!  What a beautiful way to honor such a wonderful person!

On Wednesday, November 9th, a wake and funeral mass for Sister Mary Ann O'Connor will be held at St. 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. After the Mass, graveside services will be held at Gethsemane Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds. Please continue to pray for Sister Mary Ann, her family and her friends, especially Rosemary Gleeson, and all the people who loved and cared for her.

On Sunday, October 2nd, the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell had the pleasure of welcoming four new associates of the congregation. Margaret Becker, Tawana Clarrett, Damaris Herrera, and Judith Shipitofsky each committed to continuing the Dominican mission and charism, and their journey to become associates has been their response to a call by God.

In "Global Sisters Report," Sister Donna L. Ciangio, OP, reflects on the synod process as a member of both the Sisters of Saint Dominic and the Archdiocese of Newark synod team.

On August 4, 2022, Sister Regina Scaringella, OP, renewed her temporary vows for three years during Evening Prayer in the presence of her Sacred Heart Convent community. Sister Luella Ramm, Prioress, received Gina’s vows. During her Scripture reflection, Sister Eileen Ivory remarked, “Gina, your renewal of vows in a time of pandemic, political upheaval, forest fires, and scorching heat, speaks volumes to the rest of us about fidelity and generosity.” We are deeply grateful to God for Gina who feels called to be in mission with the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell.

The Dominican Institute for the Arts (DIA), a grassroots collaboration of sisters, friars, laity and associates of the Order of Preachers, is committed to preaching through the arts. The Fra Angelico Award is presented yearly to a DIA artist who exemplifies Fra Angelico’s dedication to furthering the Holy Preaching through art and is the highest honor that the DIA bestows on one of its members. Yesterday, August 3rd, the 2022 Fra Angelico Award was presented to Sister Gerardine who “epitomizes the ideals of the Dominican Institute for the Arts because she continuously lives the mission of DIA by preaching God’s Word through her multifaceted art.” The award ceremony took place via conference call from Adrian, Michigan. With the sisters who reside in the Motherhouse participating in the ceremony, Sister Luella presented the Fra Angelico Award to Sister Gerardine. Congratulations, Sister Gerardine!